Should I add on or get totally new light?

linkedsilas · May 7, 2019

currently running 2 ai primes (not hd) on my 57g.
Switching to a 90g.
I have zoas,Acans, basically a lot of different things. Acans being my fave.
Would you suggest
A: adding another prime
B: getting a hybrid which contains the t5s and adding my primes into it
C: getting something else completely.... if so what?
Yes, cost is some of the factor. I can’t afford hundreds and hundreds. I want my coral to maintain nicely.
Thanks

Ron Reefman · May 8, 2019

If you like the AI Primes, a 3rd should work OK on a 4' tank. It's most likely the least expensive way to expand the coverage.

Unlike many here, I don't like hybrid t5/led fixtures. I love the control of my light over the course of a day (both intensity and color). That is much harder to do with t5 bulbs (especially intensity). I tried adding 1 and then a 2 t5 bulbs to my leds and just didn't like the lack of control. But that's just me. Adding t5's can help a lot if you have spotlight leds like the AI Prime (single point light source).

If you want a new light with lots of control and features as well as wide coverage and good looks, consider a 32" Reef Breeders Photon V2 (used) or V2+ (new). That's what I've been using since they came out. I was able to keep lots of sps sticks in a 120g tank. Now I have a zoa and rock flower anemone tank and the fluorescing colors are crazy cool with lots of blue leds.

Hope this helps.

Billldg · May 8, 2019

I recommend going with a hybrid. I currently have a Aquatic life 36 hybrid fixture with 2 Xr15 g4 pros and love it. You use your LEDs to control the sunrise and sunset modes and have the t5's, along with the LEDs to do the main workload. Right now I have my t5's on for 6 hours a day.

dantimdad · May 8, 2019

I would say for the money, go t5 hybrid with the lights you have.

3 won't do on a standard 90 because of the center brace. You will either have a huge shadow or one side brighter than the other.

dwest · May 8, 2019

linkedsilas said:
currently running 2 ai primes (not hd) on my 57g.
Switching to a 90g.
I have zoas,Acans, basically a lot of different things. Acans being my fave.
Would you suggest
A: adding another prime
B: getting a hybrid which contains the t5s and adding my primes into it
C: getting something else completely.... if so what?
Yes, cost is some of the factor. I can’t afford hundreds and hundreds. I want my coral to maintain nicely.
Thanks

I’m a fan of the hybrid. Tough to go wrong with some additional T5’s. Option A is good also.

dwest · May 8, 2019

dwest said:
I’m a fan of the hybrid. Tough to go wrong with some additional T5’s. Option A is good also.

I didn’t see the post about the center brace. That’s important. My tank has 2 braces and I set my lighting around that. I still like the hybrid in your situation.

dantimdad · May 8, 2019

The other option is to get two black boxes or k7 and sell the primes to help cover the replacement cost.

linkedsilas · May 8, 2019

A

dantimdad said:
The other option is to get two black boxes or k7 and sell the primes to help cover the replacement cost.

arent they kind of a crap chute with the quality?

dantimdad · May 8, 2019

Not any more.

Basically, hype is that they catch fire, don't last, blah blah.

Many people use them and have great success with them.

The real truth of the matter is, 90% of the fixtures out there will grow corals. The money is in features and brand recognition.

linkedsilas · May 8, 2019

If I were to get a t5 hybrid, I assume I would buy 2 white bulbs and 2 blue? I’ve never used these before, just leds

Mastiffsrule · May 8, 2019

I just asked the same thing. I have 2 52HD. I asked if I should get rid of them for a T5 light. Or a MH T5 hybrid. Them someone stated I should do the T5 hybrid. I was shocked I did not even think about it.

I am getting the hybrid and putting my AI in it. This way I have good lights and I can add later more AI if I want.

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/4...MI4duF_4eN4gIVkVINCh0OlwZBEAQYASABEgJCcfD_BwE

linkedsilas · May 9, 2019

Mastiffsrule said:
I just asked the same thing. I have 2 52HD. I asked if I should get rid of them for a T5 light. Or a MH T5 hybrid. Them someone stated I should do the T5 hybrid. I was shocked I did not even think about it.

I am getting the hybrid and putting my AI in it. This way I have good lights and I can add later more AI if I want.

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/4...MI4duF_4eN4gIVkVINCh0OlwZBEAQYASABEgJCcfD_BwE

Yea that’s the one I’m looking at

Mastiffsrule · May 9, 2019

linkedsilas said:
Yea that’s the one I’m looking at

I should have mine up around the end of month. Let’s race to see who is up first. This way if it stinks we can warn the other. It does have good reviews and it’s a pretty cool set up. I think it will be good

linkedsilas · May 10, 2019

Mastiffsrule said:
I should have mine up around the end of month. Let’s race to see who is up first. This way if it stinks we can warn the other. It does have good reviews and it’s a pretty cool set up. I think it will be good

Sure.... you gonna buy me mine? I’ll prob get it this month from brs since they are giving back 10x preferred points

Mastiffsrule · May 10, 2019

linkedsilas said:
Sure.... you gonna buy me mine? I’ll prob get it this month from brs since they are giving back 10x preferred points

Check out liveaquaria. They had my 61 inch for 40 less after taxes. Wait for a 15 or 20 percent off. It was the cheapest I found.

H2Ocooled · May 10, 2019

I would do the hybrid but I would got with the ATI Blue Plus bulbs only, they put out plenty of light and you can dial in the color you want with the LEDs. The Blue plus look really nice and grow corals great. I've seen the hybrid units on sale and open box several times on saltwateraquaruim and BRS.