Question? Suggestions?

MounteeFrag · Sep 7, 2015

I have a 240 gallon mixed reef 60x36x24. I am currently running only 2 AI Hydras. I am not getting the growth out of my corals. I keep all my water parameters within check. Im thinking about adding another Hydra (Hydra 26) or doing a T5 retro fit addition. I currently get enough spread and thought that 2 light fixtures would be enough. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

Joeganja · Sep 8, 2015

60 inches. 2 hydras? U need at least 4. And it's a deep tank so they would have to be lined up like straight.
I'm assuming you have yours - - like that but you have to have them like this | | | | so they get the coverage front to back

MounteeFrag · Sep 8, 2015

So Joe your saying, buy more LEDs. Do you think T5 would be better

Joeganja · Sep 8, 2015

MounteeFrag said:
So Joe your saying, buy more LEDs. Do you think T5 would be better

Well you have two leds already if u bought t5s you'd have to change them every 9-12 months. You'd have to get a 4-6 bulb fixture because of how deep and long your tank is. So it would cost a crap Load more but all up to you. Just know that if you have sps your gonna have to get a 4-6 bulb fixture or add more leds

Reefing Madness · Sep 8, 2015

What % are you running your LEDs at? Are any corals growing for you? Like the ones directly under the units?

dbl · Sep 8, 2015

For what it's worth (which I realize is very little since I've only been at this a little over a year) I ended up with four AI Vega's over my 4' 120g. Started with two but wasn't getting the coverage I desired. Four maybe overkill, but I've enjoyed much greater growth. I would think four would work well on your 5' tank, but again, it's just my opinion.

MounteeFrag · Sep 8, 2015

Reefing Madness said:
What % are you running your LEDs at? Are any corals growing for you? Like the ones directly under the units?

You might already know this but each color can get adjusted. My blues run at 100% and all the rest are lower. I worked with AI for the best numbers. I get great color and some growth (just not as good as others).

MounteeFrag · Sep 8, 2015

Im trying to post a photo of my tank. I have 2 islands of rock. When I built my tank I just figured why worry about lighting bare sand.

Reefing Madness · Sep 8, 2015

You may be running your lighting to high hindering the growth. I don't know anyone that runs any LED unit at 100% Blues.
They can independently adjusted if you have a controller.
What kind of corals are we talking about?

MounteeFrag · Sep 8, 2015

Mixed reef. Ever since I got in contact with Aqua Illumination and they suggested my settings my SPS seem to be growing a little. My Zoas all on or near sand bed have been growing from day one. I look at some other tanks and I see so much more growth. In the same time.