Which light is better

[matt23h]

Well I got a question I have a 30” long 12.5” wide 20” deep tank and was wondering which light would be better the ai prime 16hd or the 30” ai prime blade grow light? Just wanting soft corals and anemone or two for the clown fish.

 

[blaxsun]

You may not get enough light from the single AI PrimeHD. I haven't used the AI Prime Blades though.

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

One AI Prime won't cover it. I have two on a 3' tank, and sometimes it seems a little sparse. Haven't had any experience with the blade, so can't help you there. Good luck.

 

[matt23h]

You may not get enough light from the single AI PrimeHD. I haven't used the AI Prime Blades though.

Yeah that’s what I was worried about. That’s why I was leaning towards the blade cause the size. Just didn’t know if all the extra colors are really needed

 

[Alexopora]

Yeah that’s what I was worried about. That’s why I was leaning towards the blade cause the size. Just didn’t know if all the extra colors are really needed

The blade has the spread while prime has the versality when it comes to spectrum.

 

[rtparty]

Blade for sure. Superior in almost every way to a Prime

 

[X-37B]

I run 4 16hd's on my 36" system.
I run 2 on my 24x20x18 Nem tank.
I get 200 par at the Nem.
Starting with 2 16's will work fine. You can always add another or a blade.
You wont have any problems running 2 to start. 1 wont be enough but can get you started.
Nem tank 10 month growth pics running 2 16hds and I started with 1.

 

[Northern Flicker]

I like my Primes a lot, but if I had a long thin tank, I might go Blades. 1 blade might be enough, whereas you will need 2 Primes.

I don’t use much of the white, red or green on my Primes.

 

[EricR]

Like others, I don't have any experience with the Blade Grow but if 1x Prime vs 1x Blade are the two choices, I'd vote Blade for this tank.
*happy with 2x Primes on 36"x18" tank for soft corals but agree 1x wouldn't cover your 30" tank well

I do run some whites so interested in how the Blade Grow works out for you if you go that route.

There are some YouTube videos on the Blade -- was watching one by "Reef Dork" the other day, for example.

Good luck and keep us updated...

 

[ChiCity]

that’s a long but narrow tank…

a 2 bulb 24” t5 fixture
would be sufficient for the entire tank.
(you could add a blue led strip for pop)

coral+ and blue+ will grow pretty much any coral!
but especially the anemone
you’re thinking about getting down the road…

 

[matt23h]

You may not get enough light from the single AI PrimeHD. I haven't used the AI Prime Blades though.

Yeah that’s what I was worried about. That’s why I was leaning towards the blade cause the size. Just didn’t know if all the extra colors are really

Blade for sure. Superior in almost every way to a Prime

thank you for the advice, I just order the 30" blade