Lights

[Spare time]

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!

A hydra 32 is just two primes pushed together. The problem is the two pucks are so close together that it really doesn't increase the coverage area size by much. Having two individual primes would be cheaper for you and give you far better spread.

 

[Novicereefer]

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.

dang! this gives me something to think about. If I do go down the road of keeping the really fancy fuzzy sticks I'll have to upgrade lights all together because having a large amount of Primes will cost the same as a Radion or Kessel.

 

[ShepherdReefer]

We have been in the Reef Hobie for over 30 years and used many different lighting products. The last lighting system we purchased was the Kessil A500x, love them.

 

[Novicereefer]

We have been in the Reef Hobie for over 30 years and used many different lighting products. The last lighting system we purchased was the Kessil A500x, love them.

When I first got into the hobby a year ago a store was trying to sell me the kessil but he said it was $800. Not something a new reefer wanted to hear. I asked about the prime and he said it doesn't grow anything. In hindsight his store was filled with Acros.

 

[X-37B]

When I first got into the hobby a year ago a store was trying to sell me the kessil but he said it was $800. Not something a new reefer wanted to hear. I asked about the prime and he said it doesn't grow anything. In hindsight his store was filled with Acros.

This is funny! I started my 20g nano because an lfs said they wont grow acros and you need Radions.
This is when my other 2 systems were running 250 watt halides.
I now have 10 16hds, 8 in service and 2 backups.
My halides are retired.
Check the used market as I got 1/2 of the 16hds used as well as my 2 Radions.
I prefer the 16s as you can position them to your system.
The older hd's now have 3 types of replacement puck upgrades available from Luxdium at $85 a piece.

 

[Novicereefer]

This is funny! I started my 20g nano because an lfs said they wont grow acros and you need Radions.
This is when my other 2 systems were running 250 watt halides.
I now have 10 16hds, 8 in service and 2 backups.
My halides are retired.
Check the used market as I got 1/2 of the 16hds used as well as my 2 Radions.
I prefer the 16s as you can position them to your system.
The older hd's now have 3 types of replacement puck upgrades available from Luxdium at $85 a piece.

Wow! You see you have experience. Idk what he was talking. I just did more research and found the Prime 16hd for $230 on Amazon which is what the dude at the LFS was selling it for USED! Yea I didn't go back until I learned that he's just old school stuck in his ways. I'm definitely going to add more Prime 16hd for the reason you said...I can adjust them to any tank and they can grow with me. I see myself getting a 4ft tank within the next yr so I'll get 2 more Prime 16hd. I'll check used

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hydra 26 or 32 hd sould work, but you may need two of them (you can start with one to see the response. Other option is a pair of Orphek OR3 90 light bars (sky blue and blue plus) which offer great PAR)

 

[ShepherdReefer]

When I first got into the hobby a year ago a store was trying to sell me the kessil but he said it was $800. Not something a new reefer wanted to hear. I asked about the prime and he said it doesn't grow anything. In hindsight his store was filled with Acros.

Yes, they do cost. I have never used them and thought, what the heck...just do it. The primes are good. I know many who use them have great success. I Even tried some very inexpensive lights in the past with no luck. I still have some of the original lights such as HVOs and MH.

 

[ShepherdReefer]

Wow! You see you have experience. Idk what he was talking. I just did more research and found the Prime 16hd for $230 on Amazon which is what the dude at the LFS was selling it for USED! Yea I didn't go back until I learned that he's just old school stuck in his ways. I'm definitely going to add more Prime 16hd for the reason you said...I can adjust them to any tank and they can grow with me. I see myself getting a 4ft tank within the next yr so I'll get 2 more Prime 16hd. I'll check used

Yea I agree, you don't need lights like Radions and other high-end lights. I have also tried them, they were okay. Prime are good lights.

 

[Dkmoo]

Wow! You see you have experience. Idk what he was talking. I just did more research and found the Prime 16hd for $230 on Amazon which is what the dude at the LFS was selling it for USED! Yea I didn't go back until I learned that he's just old school stuck in his ways. I'm definitely going to add more Prime 16hd for the reason you said...I can adjust them to any tank and they can grow with me. I see myself getting a 4ft tank within the next yr so I'll get 2 more Prime 16hd. I'll check used

Don't buy anything yet, I just saw that you are from NYC. I just moved out of there into chatham NJ (about 30 min drive from Manhattan)

I just upgraded my 30g long which is the same length as your 40B and replaced all those lights that I told you about. If you want to make a drive out here, I can sell you the below cheap:

1x prime 16hd - 100
2x 36inch reefbright xho blue led - 100 each
1x 30 inch 50/50 reefbrite lumi strip - 50

2x older generation primes - they still work but sometimes reset from overheating (i think i might have packed them too close) - you can have them for free.

All lights are in working order as of 3 weeks ago. All have power supply, the strips have mounting bracket, but the primes i don't have the mounting arm anymore bc I built my own mounting bracket out of 80/20 aluminum extrusion bars.

Edit - the strips have the L mounting bracket not the sleeve bracket that sits on the tank.