Using 2 AI primes on my tank, will they work?

[JCSReefing]

I have a 65g 36X18x24 tank. If I got two AI primes would they be sufficient for this size. Why,why not? I have mostly Lps and softies with a montipora and acropora drags as well. I would like to keep some basic sps in the future also. Are they powerful enough??

Thanks

 

[Coastie Reefer]

I've seen one one an 18" cube that seemed to do well. Are they the Pimes or Prime HD's?

 

[JCSReefing]

I've seen one one an 18" cube that seemed to do well. Are they the Pimes or Prime HD's?

I havnt bought them yet. Currently I am running the ocean revive t-247 on my tank. I was trying to figure out if two primes would be enough for the depth of the tank if leaving anything needing more light torwards the top. Or should I just stick with what I have? Trying to get a better spectrum control ability.

 

[Coastie Reefer]

I have a single prime over a standard 10g (20x11x13). Coverage is great as far as the 20" length, but I'm not sure what how it would do on a 24" depth as I only have right at half that depth. I only have mine running about 40% though... The old versions of the Primes aren't as readily available so you'd probably end up with the HD's. I'm thinking it would be pretty good, but I couldn't say definitively.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

My gut says you wont be happy with the results and likely wont be able to get into true high light animals like acro. Perhaps more users will chime in.

It would work definitely, yes. But there may be better options. my preference is low and wide with very even coverage.

I seems to me to get the best spread and avoid spotlighting and shading you would need to set them fairly high over the tank. of course setting them higher you lose some intensity.

@Coastie Reefer how high are yours mounted, you coverage seems quite good. And do you have a lux or parmeter?

 

[Coastie Reefer]

My gut says you wont be happy with the results and likely wont be able to get into true high light animals like acro. Perhaps more users will chime in.

It would work definitely, yes. But there may be better options. my preference is low and wide with very even coverage.

I seems to me to get the best spread and avoid spotlighting and shading you would need to set them fairly high over the tank. of course setting them higher you lose some intensity.

@Coastie Reefer how high are yours mounted, you coverage seems quite good. And do you have a lux or parmeter?

Mine is on the 18" flex mount. I'll see if I can find an full shot somewhere. I don't have a lux or par meter. If you can trust the lux app on my phone (I don't) I get something like 70k at the top of the water.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I havnt bought them yet. Currently I am running the ocean revive t-247 on my tank. I was trying to figure out if two primes would be enough for the depth of the tank if leaving anything needing more light torwards the top. Or should I just stick with what I have? Trying to get a better spectrum control ability.

I haven found a lot of par maps or charts for the OR.
but heres one. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ocean-revive-t247-par-readings.192513/

if you have a par or lux meter you can do a simple test and crank it up to full to see what you get. With the crazy sucess of the mars aqua on sps across i'm not so concerned w control. I do like buttons and ramping and controlling peaks and photo periods however

 

[Coastie Reefer]

Just off the top of my head I think the max par on a regular AI Prime is around 250 per AI themselves...

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Mine is on the 18" flex mount. I'll see if I can find an full shot somewhere. I don't have a lux or par meter. If you can trust the lux app on my phone (I don't) I get something like 70k at the top of the water.

thanks. The apps are so hit and miss. if its a true reading though you def should be able to grow an acro with it.

oh you just posted. if ai says its 250 par max on that distance it not likely 70k lux there.

 

[donnievaz]

What's wrong with the T-247? That light will grow SPS no problem.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

What's wrong with the T-247? That light will grow SPS no problem.

exactly!

EDIT: But boy new toys sure are nice

 

[JCSReefing]

What's wrong with the T-247? That light will grow SPS no problem.

One of my fans went out and it's about 3 yrs old now and I'm willing to bet the other fan will go shortly. Also I would like some better control of the full spectrum to be able to adjust the blues reds greens exc.
I currently have the t-247 about 14" up in the canopy and blues on 65 and whites on 50. Is this a good setting ya think or should I ramp them up?

 

[Coastie Reefer]

If had a bigger tank with a canopy I'd def go with Mars Aqua. The 300w 32" fixture is under $200 and is dimable and full spectrum.

https://www.amazon.com/MarsAqua-Dimmable-Aquarium-Freshwater-Saltwater/dp/B017GX73YY

 

[HiddenUser]

I have two over my Marineland 65G refugium...they work...I have 2 RBTA in there and they've split once and seem healthy...Coverage is meh...but I think they should be alright for an LPS / Softie tank...if it was my primary display...I might look into the other AI or Radion options. I previously had a Kessil which died about a week after the warranty ran out so these lights replaced that one. I'm quite a bit happier with these lights.

Should you get a Radion, or Hydra, you can always dial down the intensity for the time being then turn it up should you decide to have more SPS later. When I had my 90G I had two XR30 Pros over it. The dimensions of my 65G are nearly identical except the 65 is 3' instead of 4' across.

I run UV - 95%, V - 95%, DB - 95%, B - 95%, G - 31%, DR - 31%, and CW - 31%.

 

[ahiggins]

I have 2 primes. One is an HD thats over a cube thats about 20" deep. I grow everything but acros and montis. The easier sps, encrusting stuff, grows great. zoas love it too.
My frag tank is a 20 gallon high and not an HD one.
Good luck

 

[Coastie Reefer]

I have two over my Marineland 65G refugium...they work...I have 2 RBTA in there and they've split once and seem healthy...Coverage is meh...but I think they should be alright for an LPS / Softie tank...if it was my primary display...I might look into the other AI or Radion options. Can always dial down the intensity for the time being then turn it up should you decide to have more SPS later.

I run UV - 95%, V - 95%, DB - 95%, B - 95%, G - 31%, DR - 31%, and CW - 31%.

Awesome setup!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Personally with any led id keep all channels even, maybe lil more blue, then crank them up evenly with a meter. I think the full controll thing is advertising.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

If had a bigger tank with a canopy I'd def go with Mars Aqua. The 300w 32" fixture is under $200 and is dimable and full spectrum.

https://www.amazon.com/MarsAqua-Dimmable-Aquarium-Freshwater-Saltwater/dp/B017GX73YY

oh but I love the ramp. besides the long glow period of low intensity, my two Ruby dragonetts now do the spawning dance rich before the lights go out all the way.
If (when) go go with t5 MH id still keep a ramping strip.
Ai Sol in my 55g and sbreeflight in my 30 cube.

 

[donnievaz]

One of my fans went out and it's about 3 yrs old now and I'm willing to bet the other fan will go shortly. Also I would like some better control of the full spectrum to be able to adjust the blues reds greens exc.
I currently have the t-247 about 14" up in the canopy and blues on 65 and whites on 50. Is this a good setting ya think or should I ramp them up?

If everything is growing and no bleaching you should be good at that setting. If you do ramp them up do it in very small increments. Replacing a fan in those fixtures is a piece of cake but I understand that not everybody gets into tearing things apart and messing with them. Plus as @saltyfilmfolks said new toys are cool...

 

[ca2or]

I would imagine you are going to get a lot of "no they won't work" posts, just know, my 56g ran off of 2 AI Primes running at 80% for about a year and the only reason that changed is I got a screaming deal on 2 Radion XR30's....and I still have my primes in the mix.