Supplemental light options for AI Prime

PugsAndFish · Aug 29, 2020

I have a single AI Prime HD over a 24 x 20 x 12 tank (Innovative Marine 25). It does the job for softies and LPS but I need better intensity and coverage to dive into acros. Ideally a radion would be great but I want to utilize the light I have now to save some money and just add some supplemental lighting.

Are there any options where I can add a T5, Reefbrite, or Orphek bar without getting new mounts or mounting to the ceiling or wall? I see some pics of people somehow using their LED mount and attached lights to their existing LED but i'm not quite sure how that's done

Bfragale · Aug 29, 2020

Aquatic life makes one that is a hybrid that the ai prime can fit as well.

24" Hybrid T5HO 4x24W Fixture With One A360X Bracket

Includes ONE A360X LED Mounting Bracket Welcome to the future of aquarium lighting! Combine your favorite LED Light module between proven T5 lights to create a stellar lighting system! Accepts one Ecotech, AI, or Kessil LED Light Module Includes LED Light Brackets Powder Coated Aluminum Frame...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

It’s a bit pricy but this may be they style your liking for.

PugsAndFish · Aug 29, 2020

i like that one but i have no way of mounting. can't screw into the wall/ceiling due to renting

Marc2952 · Aug 29, 2020

PugsAndFish said:
i like that one but i have no way of mounting. can't screw into the wall/ceiling due to renting

I also had that issue get reef brites instead.

intricate_reefer · Aug 29, 2020

Could add a second Ai prime, I'm running 2 on my 25 lagoon. Don't think there are many options without adding a hood or hanging. Another option would be to change your lighting. Maybe a hydra 52 or a Noopsyche K7 with the reef brite k26 add on.

vetteguy53081 · Aug 29, 2020

Like I did with my drop off tank, add one more prime for coverage and pair them together under the App

Waynerock · Aug 29, 2020

Yea had that issue. Wanted the hybrid but my ceiling is too tall plus my wife nixed that idea. So I just went with 3 prime 16’s on my reefer 250 and I have been extremely happy with growth and how it looks mounted on the prime arms, very clean.

Mandrew559 · Aug 29, 2020

How long is that tank? I have a 66g that's 30". I also run 3 primes

Waynerock said:
Yea had that issue. Wanted the hybrid but my ceiling is too tall plus my wife nixed that idea. So I just went with 3 prime 16’s on my reefer 250 and I have been extremely happy with growth and how it looks mounted on the prime arms, very clean.

Mandrew559 · Aug 29, 2020

I'm honestly considering mounting a reef brite to the underside of all 3 of my ai arms. I think they could support it

Waynerock · Aug 29, 2020

Mandrew559 said:
How long is that tank? I have a 66g that's 30". I also run 3 primes

It’s 36 inches left to right

Waynerock · Aug 29, 2020

Mandrew559 said:
I'm honestly considering mounting a reef brite to the underside of all 3 of my ai arms. I think they could support it

That sounds like something I would like too let me know how it goes. It sucks that the XR 15’s and 30’s and hydra’s have mounts for the reef brites but not the primes. Wish they made them.

Mandrew559 · Aug 29, 2020

Exactly! But I bet I could run a 24" across all three ai mounts. I may order one lol

Waynerock said:
That sounds like something I would like too let me know how it goes. It sucks that the XR 15’s and 30’s and hydra’s have mounts for the reef brites but not the primes. Wish they made them.

Waynerock · Aug 29, 2020

Mandrew559 said:
Exactly! But I bet I could run a 24" across all three ai mounts. I may order one lol

Good luck hope it works and if it does I will be copying

RobberyinCSharp1824 · Aug 29, 2020

intricate_reefer said:
Could add a second Ai prime, I'm running 2 on my 25 lagoon. Don't think there are many options without adding a hood or hanging. Another option would be to change your lighting. Maybe a hydra 52 or a Noopsyche K7 with the reef brite k26 add on.

How are you managing that? I have an IM Nuvo 20 with my AI Prime and my Zoas/ Blastomussa are doing great; my favia is dying, GSP is fine, and my birdsnest (nearly at the top of my tank) is doing well. I run my lights at like...15-20% brightness. Last time I tried cranking up the intensity, I killed a bunch of my softies and had an algae outbreak

intricate_reefer · Aug 29, 2020

RobberyinCSharp1824 said:
How are you managing that? I have an IM Nuvo 20 with my AI Prime and my Zoas/ Blastomussa are doing great; my favia is dying, GSP is fine, and my birdsnest (nearly at the top of my tank) is doing well. I run my lights at like...15-20% brightness. Last time I tried cranking up the intensity, I killed a bunch of my softies and had an algae outbreak

I use two for coverage and not par. I have them mounted and tilted towards the ends a bit. I have pretty much all lps so I’m only running them about 50% but am also using the 3D reefing diffusers. I’m sure cranking them up and not using diffusers you would have no problem keeping sps in pretty much the whole tank. If you are only using one you should be able to increase your intensity a good bit. Just be careful with the UV and Violet and do it over time. I cranked mine up all the way and bleached a bunch of chalices, it was a rookie move and a hard lesson learned. I figured the prime only had one of each LED diode of violet and UV and I would be good. I was severely wrong.