Would two AI Prime 16HD's be enough for a 75 gallon?

Nooooooooob1 · Nov 11, 2019

Currently upgrading from a 40 gallon with 2 Chinese black boxes to a 75 gallon. I'm really trying to find a way to not have to have those ugly boxes on top of my nice big new tank within a reasonable budget. I was thinking about a used set of high end lights like some A360's etc.

But I just noticed that the new AI Prime 16HD's just came out and they say they have a coverage area of 24" x 24" x 24". On paper, two of these sounds good as my tank is 75 gallons, 4 ft long, 21" deep. To those with experience with these kind of light, would these be enough to grow SPS in my tank?

Prime 16HD Reef – AquaIllumination

www.aquaillumination.com

bmbpka · Nov 11, 2019

Nooooooooob1 said:
Currently upgrading from a 40 gallon with 2 Chinese black boxes to a 75 gallon. I'm really trying to find a way to not have to have those ugly boxes on top of my nice big new tank within a reasonable budget. I was thinking about a used set of high end lights like some A360's etc.

But I just noticed that the new AI Prime 16HD's just came out and they say they have a coverage area of 24" x 24" x 24". On paper, two of these sounds good as my tank is 75 gallons, 4 ft long, 21" deep. To those with experience with these kind of light, would these be enough to grow SPS in my tank?

Prime 16HD Reef – AquaIllumination

www.aquaillumination.com

I tried two AI primes with T5 supplements on my 75. It wasn’t enough. I’m at 4 primes now and 48” T5. This seems to be enough.

Porpoise Hork · Nov 12, 2019

2 Hydra 26's running 100% was just barely enough on a 75 for soft and lps in my tank. To support LPS I had to add 2 more.

Your black box will do the job for now. Depending on your budget you cal look at getting the Reef Breeder's Photon V2. They are amazingly powerful lights and would easily support any type of coral you want. Or save up and get a pair of Hydra 32' new or look around your LFS or in the for sale section for some gently used Hydra 26's. Many LFS will still have them new in stock and should be selling them at discount.

Nooooooooob1 · Nov 12, 2019

Porpoise Hork said:
2 Hydra 26's running 100% was just barely enough on a 75 for soft and lps. To support LPS I had to add 2 more.

If you're on a tight budget a pair of MARS lights (black box) will do the job for now. Another option is the Reef Breeder's Photon V2. They are amazingly powerful lights and would easily support any type of coral you want.

Yikes, that's scary. I guess I'll be sticking with my black boxes for now.

Mykawl · Nov 12, 2019

I would just rock the black boxes and buy the nice lights you want as you can, I think a lot of people here though would advise against the 55-75 gallon tanks though because of their dimensions.
If interested 40 gallon breeders are common or cube tanks up to 90

Nooooooooob1 · Nov 12, 2019

Mykawl said:
I would just rock the black boxes and buy the nice lights you want as you can, I think a lot of people here though would advise against the 55-75 gallon tanks though because of their dimensions.
If interested 40 gallon breeders are common or cube tanks up to 90

Yeah I hear ya. I'm actually moving up to the 75 from a 40 right now. I thought the 90 would have been cool but the cube just doesn't work in my space unfortunately.