Lights

[Novicereefer]

I have a 40 breeder with mainly Softies (GSP, Xenia, Zoas, Toadstool Leather) and LPS tank (Torches, Frogspawns, Hammers, Acans, Duncans, Elegance, Fungia, Goniapora) corals. The only SPS I have are branching Monti and Pocelapora. I've been running 1 AI Prime 16 and it seems to be working, but I feel like I should have more lights. Corals aren't complaining and polyps are always out. I've been eyeing 1 Hydra 32 because it has more spread for the 40 breeder (trading it my ai prime at the LFS and using the credit and paying the difference) but I think it may be cheaper to just get another AI Prime 16 and manage the spread. My budget for lights is $400. What is the best course of action?

 

[blaxsun]

If you already have an AI Prime 16HD you'll definitely notice the difference with a second one. You may not have enough coverage with a single Hydra 32 and may end up with a pair anyway, so if you're trying to keep it within a set budget a pair of AI Prime 16HDs will be the most economical option.

 

[Who me?]

You could grab 2 of the SmatFarm LEDs on Amazon. Would be perfect coverage for your tank and under budget.

 

[Dkmoo]

It depends on what else you want to add and you need to be really honest with yourself. If you are sticking with those low light corals then 1 more prime would suffice.

However, if you are like me and always want to get more variety, eventually I started getting acros, and realized I need a lot more lights.

So, I went from 1 prime, to 2 prime, to 3 prime, to 3 prime + 1 light strip, to 3 prime + 2 strip. My light rack became a mess of wires and my power strip became a fire hazard. When I moved my tank I decided to I need to fix this mess so bought 1 orphek icon as a replacement for all that.

In hindsight I probably should have done that to begin with. 3 prime and 2 reefbrite strips isn't that much more money than 1 orphek icon.

 

[Novicereefer]

If you already have an AI Prime 16HD you'll definitely notice the difference with a second one. You may not have enough coverage with a single Hydra 32 and may end up with a pair anyway, so if you're trying to keep it within a set budget a pair of AI Prime 16HDs will be the most economical option.

Hmm good idea. I really thought the Hydra 32 was going to cover the entire tank, but as I look at the tank I think you're right especially the far corners so pairing a 2nd prime can cover the entire tank with no problems and I don't have to run my lights at 100% like I do now. Thanks!

 

[Novicereefer]

It depends on what else you want to add and you need to be really honest with yourself. If you are sticking with those low light corals then 1 more prime would suffice.

However, if you are like me and always want to get more variety, eventually I started getting acros, and realized I need a lot more lights.

So, I went from 1 prime, to 2 prime, to 3 prime, to 3 prime + 1 light strip, to 3 prime + 2 strip. My light rack became a mess of wires and my power strip became a fire hazard. When I moved my tank I decided to I need to fix this mess so bought 1 orphek icon as a replacement for all that.

In hindsight I probably should have done that to begin with. 3 prime and 2 reefbrite strips isn't that much more money than 1 orphek icon.

I'm mainly staying with these corals. Down the line I like the idea of trying Acros but not sure yet. So definitely another ai prime to add! Thanks!

 

[X-37B]

Get a second 16hd then a third when needed.
I run 3 over my 36x24x12 frag system with great results.

 

[Novicereefer]

You could grab 2 of the SmatFarm LEDs on Amazon. Would be perfect coverage for your tank and under budget.

I'll check those out. Thanks!

 

[Novicereefer]

Get a second 16hd then a third when needed.
I run 3 over my 36x24x12 frag system with great results.

Whaooooo! it seems like from what I'm hearing from most is that prime is the way to go financially and logistically

 

[X-37B]

Whaooooo! it seems like from what I'm hearing from most is that prime is the way to go financially and logistically

Yea they are the lights that got me to hang up my halides after many years.
I run 8 total on 3 different systems.
2 16hds on my 20g nano cube at 5 months.

 

[Who me?]

I'll check those out. Thanks!

I use them on several tanks with great success, there's a pretty lengthy thread on these forums if you're interested in learning the pros and cons.

 

[Novicereefer]

Yea they are the lights that got me to hang up my halides after many years.
I run 8 total on 3 different systems.
2 16hds on my 20g nano cube at 5 months.

2 on your 20g?! I have 1 on my 40! Now I feel like I've been starving these guys . I've been thinking since they're open and flowing and everything that they were ok

 

[X-37B]

2 on your 20g?! I have 1 on my 40! Now I feel like I've been starving these guys . I've been thinking since they're open and flowing and everything that they were ok

Your fine with current. If you like the look just add another one. They can always be used on tank upgrades.
My new 80g growout runs 2 16hds and 2 xr15gen5 blue.

 

[Novicereefer]

Yea I like the look and everywhere I read says a 40 breeder should have at least 2 AI prime because of its 24" spread. And like you said, I can use it for an upgrade

 

[Novicereefer]

I use them on several tanks with great success, there's a pretty lengthy thread on these forums if you're interested in learning the pros and cons.

Oh great! I'll go read.

 

[Dkmoo]

2 on your 20g?! I have 1 on my 40! Now I feel like I've been starving these guys . I've been thinking since they're open and flowing and everything that they were ok

don't forget he's got a lot of acros on his 20g. Acros need ALOT of light.

 

[Dkmoo]

2 on your 20g?! I have 1 on my 40! Now I feel like I've been starving these guys . I've been thinking since they're open and flowing and everything that they were ok

also its a 20g cube, so he basically put 2 primes next to eachother and overlapped the spread - that's basically a AI hydra, which is how he got the par high enough for those acros.

that's going to be a very different set up than 2 prime on a 20g long where you have to spread them out - that's why i needed 3 + 2 strips on a longish 30G to grow acros.

 

[Novicereefer]

don't forget he's got a lot of acros on his 20g. Acros need ALOT of light.

Good point! I just watched BRS AI Prime video about mounting height. Their video was about 2 Primes but nonetheless my light was mounted too low. I had it at about 6 inches as opposed to their 10in for the 40 breeder. The tank looks so much better 4 inches higher. I'm going to add a 2nd prime because I know down the line I want to add an Acro but first I'll see my LFS has a par meter I can rent. Thanks guys!

 

[Novicereefer]

also its a 20g cube, so he basically put 2 primes next to eachother and overlapped the spread - that's basically a AI hydra, which is how he got the par high enough for those acros.

that's going to be a very different set up than 2 prime on a 20g long where you have to spread them out - that's why i needed 3 + 2 strips on a longish 30G to grow acros.

Makes sense. I think I need to rent a par meter before I do anything lol. My Monti and Pocelapora grows but they're no Acro

 

[Dkmoo]

Good point! I just watched BRS AI Prime video about mounting height. Their video was about 2 Primes but nonetheless my light was mounted too low. I had it at about 6 inches as opposed to their 10in for the 40 breeder. The tank looks so much better 4 inches higher. I'm going to add a 2nd prime because I know down the line I want to add an Acro but first I'll see my LFS has a par meter I can rent. Thanks guys!

bruh - i guess just keep this in mind as i speak from personal experience with acros b/c they are completely in their own class in terms of light/par. if you keep with the "add more prime" route, which is certainly viable, you probably will need 4+ to get to a "base line" par level for acros (your 40B is basically 2 of 90 reefer's 20G cube). but even 4 isn't gonna be enough for "all acros". I'd guess with 4 you'd get to 200 - 300 par, which would be good for beginner acros like green slimers. however, some of the more higher end acros that show more of the crazy pink/purple/blue flourescence will need par levels north of 500.

i guess what i'm trying to say is, with the "add 1 more prime" route - you will probably be fine for 70-85% of all coral choices that includes all softies, lps, and SPS (all non acro + maybe 25% of all acros). However, that remaining % of acros which inclues most of the higher end, the most coveted and prettiest acros, a "prime only" route you'll need like 6 - 8 of them. at which point you'll need to also think about the amount of wires, mounting racks/arms, and available power strip, to see if it's practical or if a higher end/stronger light may be a better choices.