Thinking of ditching my AI Prime HDs

[Popeye]

I'm currently using two AI Prime HDs over my 55gal tank for about a year now. My UVs and blues are turned up all the way and green and red down to 5% and whites are at about 30%. I have great growth but all my Zoas are stretching alot. Now I'm getting ready to switch to a 125gal. So I'm thinking of buying 3 SB Reef 18" LEDs instead of buying another Prime for new setup. I dont feel they're as good as everyone talks them up. Am I wrong?
Anybody have any thoughts on this? Should I just buy another Prime or go a different route? Also not going to spend $800 plus on some high end lighting. I like the Primes but my Zoas stretching like they are has me skeptical now.

 

[André Brasil]

Based on your description you are not running the Primes at their max capacity. Have you considered increasing the power slowly over a few weeks and see how the corals react?

 

[Popeye]

My blues and Uvs are 115% they wont go any higher. I dont want to go higher on green and red. Am I missing another way to turn them up?

 

[Justfebreezeit]

is it a standard 55? if so 48" is pushing it for 2 primes imo

 

[Duffer]

Turn down the white.. I have mine at 18%..I also do not run any reds or greens..

 

[Popeye]

It is a standard 55. So if I need more for a 55 then I'll need a few more for a 125 and that starts to get pricey. That's why I'm thinking of switching

 

[Rakie]

EDITED FOR OPTIONS

That's not nearly enough light. Even for the lowest light needing corals. You need more like 6 AI Primes, better yet, a minimum of 3 AI Hydra 26's.

Cheapest Option: I would suggest keep your AI Primes for fill lights on the side, and buy a SBReef Lights. They make great color, and they're cheap.

Cheap Option: After that, you could ALSO get an Aquatic Life T5 hybrid, and add your AI primes TO it, with an SBReef light or two and you will have a complete lighting option for like $700 ish.

Moderate Option: The next step up could be the Noopsyche LED's, which are new, and outlandishly cheap. You would need like 4 for a 125 gallon. That will be comparable to the above option.

More Expensive: Get like 5 AI Hydra 26HD. Maybe 4.. Used is good for AI Hydras.


Zoas stretching = Not enough light. They do not stretch when happy, they stretch when not happy.

Long story short... You have basically no light over your tank. You were mislead believing 2 AI primes could sustain coral on a tank that large. 2 AI Primes wasn't enough for my 20" frag tank ~~~

 

[Gareth elliott]

Agree with @Rakie

And some other options.
Sell the primes, going entirely t5.
You should be able to get around $130-150 for each prime(so will round to $200 back if you pay their shipping)

So could do an 8 bulb 48” ati sun power for around $500 total cost. And this will be plenty of light for anything you want on a 120.

 

[Rakie]

Agree with @Rakie

And some other options.
Sell the primes, going entirely t5.
You should be able to get around $130-150 for each prime(so will round to $200 back if you pay their shipping)

So could do an 8 bulb 48” ati sun power for around $500 total cost. And this will be plenty of light for anything you want on a 120.

I think he said 125 gallon, which I think are 6' long and narrow. He might need a 6 bulb in that case.

 

[Bigbadfishy]

Add T5’s

 

[Popeye]

I was thinking of another AI and the T5 hybrid. But dang$$$$. This hobby is not cheap.
Thanks for all the good info!!

 

[Rakie]

I was thinking of another AI and the T5 hybrid. But dang$$$$. This hobby is not cheap.
Thanks for all the good info!!

Honestly a T5 hybrid and a 3rd single AI Prime would probably be enough. It sounds like you have very low light corals, and 4 bulb T5 fixture will get the job done so long as you don't want to change up to different corals in the future.

If you DO, the T5 hybrid will STILL deliver for you -- You will just need to add more LED's.

 

[a4edwin]

I agree with rakie. Even add a fourth down the line if you wanted to. Which ever route you go it’s gonna cost money unfortunately. Everything in this hobby does.

 

[Popeye]

Honestly I have a lot of great corals. Not all cheap, and they're doing great! All except my branching zoas.

 

[JimFuller]

I run 4 AI HD Prime on my 75 Gallon Tank. It is 4 FT long 18 inches wide and 21 inches deep. These dimensions are close to your 55 Gallon Tank. It produces enough to do good with the Zoas on the sand and easier Acros on the top. I would not use the AI HD Primes on your 125. You might find them good in the refugium of the sump. If you wished to stay with AI, I would look at Hydra 25 or 52. I am showing a picture of my tank to let you see my setup.