Two AI primes or One Hydra 26

[ItouchedThebutt]

I have a 2×2×2 cube 60 gallon aquarium that will be a mixed reef and was wondering, what would be better as far as running one hydra 26 or two Ai primes? The prime would be cheaper for me since I have one already. That and my justification (and I could be wrong) was I could angle them inward toward the center a little bit to avoid shadowing.

Or if there are any other options out there I'm willing to hear about them to. Thank you in advance.

 

[jsker]

one 26 HD and never look back

 

[ItouchedThebutt]

What makes you go with that option over to Primes?

 

[jsker]

What makes you go with that option over to Primes?

I have the 26 hd's. For the size of your system, depth the 26 HD will give you what you need to grow corals in your system. The prime are good for smaller shallower system. The 26 HD has more power and one can alway turn it down.

 

[ItouchedThebutt]

Are they just as reliable though to?

 

[Dystinction]

I agree with @jsker . With the dimensions on your tank, I feel the 26 hd is a better choice over the two Prime's.
Now if your tank was, say 36", then two Primes would give you the advantage of spreading them out across that length better than one 26 hd could provide.

I can't speak to reliability at this point, as mine (2x Prime HD's) are still very new, however, I do like them, and feel that they have a lot of control-ability and function.

I had some issues with the wifi connections, however, a wifi extender solved my issues.

 

[KMench]

Third these opinions. The 26s will give you better penetration to the bottom and more versatility over your par on the high end.

 

[ItouchedThebutt]

You think it would be able to cope with shadows better then the 2 primes?

 

[Bmasculine]

I’ve had my hydra 26 hd since it first came out and it’s still going strong. I use it on my 60 gal cube with t-5 supplement. There will be some shadowing but if your going for mixed reef and keeping acros tword the top and not trying to grow them at the sides of the tank it’ll be fine. You can always add supplement lighting later if so desired.

 

[ItouchedThebutt]

Yeah my goal is maybe a few acros and birdsnests as well as a few montis but the rest will be hammers zoas and maybe some rock flower nems. So I wont be trying to reach a real high par. But okay guess you got me sold on hydras lol gotta start saving.

 

[Rakie]

For quality coverage, personally.. Two 26HD's honestly. I know SPS isn't your main priority but but I've got an XR30 on my tank (24x24x18) and I need a second XR30 to get full coverage like I want.

But everyone is different.

 

[Bmasculine]

For quality coverage, personally.. Two 26HD's honestly. I know SPS isn't your main priority but but I've got an XR30 on my tank (24x24x18) and I need a second XR30 to get full coverage like I want.

But everyone is different.

I would add t-5 or some orphek light strips vs buying another XR30

 

[ItouchedThebutt]

For quality coverage, personally.. Two 26HD's honestly. I know SPS isn't your main priority but but I've got an XR30 on my tank (24x24x18) and I need a second XR30 to get full coverage like I want.

But everyone is different.

What stocking is your tank? And what par are you shooting for if you know?

 

[Rakie]

I would add t-5 or some orphek light strips vs buying another XR30

I wouldn't.

 

[Rakie]

What stocking is your tank? And what par are you shooting for if you know?

I have nothing but wall to wall top to bottom SPS -- But even if it were nothing but LPS I'd want the same. I want 360* coverage around my corals. I don't want them only lit on the front, or the side. Front, back, left, right. 360* light.

 

[ItouchedThebutt]

I have nothing but wall to wall top to bottom SPS -- But even if it were nothing but LPS I'd want the same. I want 360* coverage around my corals. I don't want them only lit on the front, or the side. Front, back, left, right. 360* light.

So then wouldn't 2 AI primes be better for that?

 

[Bmasculine]

I went T-5 for a blanket of light paired with my hydra 26 that will be used for SPS. $500 no shadows
If only doing birdsnest and montis keep your prime buy an aquaticlife hybrid fixture for $200 bucks and no shadows.
Or if you have a lot of money blanket the top of your tank in expensive LED fixtures.
Even with two hydra 26 you will have shadowing they aren’t comparable to the XR 30

 

[ItouchedThebutt]

No I don't have a lot of money at all. Just on my 10 gallon I know that underside to just about all my birds nests and acros always ends up bleaching from shadowing.

 

[ItouchedThebutt]

I went T-5 for a blanket of light paired with my hydra 26 that will be used for SPS. $500 no shadows
If only doing birdsnest and montis keep your prime buy an aquaticlife hybrid fixture for $200 bucks and no shadows.
Or if you have a lot of money blanket the top of your tank in expensive LED fixtures.
Even with two hydra 26 you will have shadowing they aren’t comparable to the XR 30

Do you have any links to these t5's your talking about?

 

[Bmasculine]

Here is tank with t-5 and hydra

Here is my 24x24 cube with just hydra 26