AI blade vs Hydra 32

[RMS18]

The tank is a 14g IM peninsula. I currently have one prime over it. The tank has SPS and LPS. The issue is the outer parts of the tank, par is to low. I'm getting stretching from LPS and dull colors on the corals in those areas. The SPS and LPS mid section of the tank are doing great. I can't increase the par without affecting the spectrum and currently the spectrum that I want to have is maxed out. The only way I can get more par is to increase the whites which is what I don't want to do. Plus I don't need more par in the middle section of the tank I just need more coverage. Shadowing is a issue with prime as well.

Instead of adding another prime I was going to do a hydra 32 which essentially is two primes in one. But the pucks are spread out, allowing the center of the tank where the SPS are to have overlapping from both pucks. And each puck being spread out from the center to give more par to the edges of the tank. Pricey option.

I just came across the AI blades, and it seems like they produce decent color and good par. However it seems like I might have too much par in the middle left and middle right of the tank where the bar would be directly on top of. The less pricey option.

HyperReef is also another option, but then adds in another controller. Currently use a AI Nero so one app for the tank.

Opinions and thoughts?

 

[Tahoe61]

I basically have the same question, but I don't have a prime. Same tank though.
If you get the blades which mounting fixture would you choose? You're thinking of getting the 12 in or 21 in? Coral grow or coral glow?

TIA

 

[RMS18]

I basically have the same question, but I don't have a prime. Same tank though.
If you get the blades which mounting fixture would you choose? You're thinking of getting the 12 in or 21 in? Coral grow or coral glow?

TIA

I was looking at the 12 inch, 21 is longer than the display section of the tank. The entire length is 20 and 2.5-3in of that is the back chambers, no need to light that. I would get the raised mounting arms as having the light 2inch from the water line I think wouldn't work great with 13 inch deep tank. Grow would be my choice. The glow is great if you're doing a multi bar setup or supplementing T5's etc.

 

[Tahoe61]

Are you going to get both the Grow and Glow?
I only considered the 21 because I thought what the heck I can grow some macro in the back.
I do like the profile of both the flush mounts and the brackets. I just worry about salt creep with the flush mount though.
I have been looking at the Orphek as well.

 

[RMS18]

Are you going to get both the Grow and Glow?
I only considered the 21 because I thought what the heck I can grow some macro in the back.
I do like the profile of both the flush mounts and the brackets. I just worry about salt creep with the flush mount though.
I have been looking at the Orphek as well.

No I would not do the glow.

 

[Jonreefer]

I have 21" Blade Grow and glow over my IM 20 fusion. its 24in long and I am getting around 270-280par towards the top and around 130-180 on the sandbed. I will say if I would do it over again I would probably not get the glow and get 2 grows. I dont feel like the glow does much but I have no coral yet as the tank is only a month old so maybe when I have some it will make it worth it but I am thinking it probably wont make much difference.
If I had to grows my par would most likely be higher

Also i have 2 sets of the raised mounting arms. I used 1 set for a few days and the other i never used because I 3D printed brackets and hung the lights before it came. I would sell them if you are interested

 

[RMS18]

I have 21" Blade Grow and glow over my IM 20 fusion. its 24in long and I am getting around 270-280par towards the top and around 130-180 on the sandbed. I will say if I would do it over again I would probably not get the glow and get 2 grows. I dont feel like the glow does much but I have no coral yet as the tank is only a month old so maybe when I have some it will make it worth it but I am thinking it probably wont make much difference.
If I had to grows my par would most likely be higher

Also i have 2 sets of the raised mounting arms. I used 1 set for a few days and the other i never used because I 3D printed brackets and hung the lights before it came. I would sell them if you are interested

Thanks for the feedback. I'm really on the fence between the two. The Hydra will have much more control over the spectrum, if I wanted to make everything glow for images for example. But definitely overkill but there's nothing the Hydra wont be excellent at on that size tank.

However with your feedback the 12" would leave the same amount of missing coverage on my tank. And with those pars, basically I'd be good. The areas I need to increase are 60-80 right now and need to move to 100-120.

Hmm this post really has me leaning towards the blade. Plus no fan anymore and the sleek look is attractive.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

I have a blade flush mount on a 20 long peninsula. Love it for what i use it for and it's plenty strong enough. Though it only has 3 different color leds so spectrum tweaking if that's what you're after is lacking.

Mine is a 12 " deep tank and it only gets up to 60% and my zoas are still growing down and into the shade around the sand.

Edit: growing various Monti, stylo, and poccilipora with what seems like to much light, gunna add acros soon

 

[RMS18]

I have a blade flush mount on a 20 long peninsula. Love it for what i use it for and it's plenty strong enough. Though it only has 3 different color leds so spectrum tweaking if that's what you're after is lacking.

Mine is a 12 " deep tank and it only gets up to 60% and my zoas are still growing down and into the shade around the sand.

Edit: growing various Monti, stylo, and poccilipora with what seems like to much light, gunna add acros soon

Yea i'm not to worried about tweaking. I'm more of a set it and forget it. But I do wonder if not having violet, UV, red and green will prevent that spectrum that I like the tank to have.

 

[Jonreefer]

After this thread I was playing around with just the grow. And the glow does nothing for me. So I ordered another grow and going to be selling my 21” glow soon.

 

[RMS18]

After this thread I was playing around with just the grow. And the glow does nothing for me. So I ordered another grow and going to be selling my 21” glow soon.

I just placed an order for a new hydra. Reddit had me with a different view of the blades with the visual color. It sounds like multiples like 2 grow and one glow is a good combo.

 

[Jonreefer]

I just placed an order for a new hydra. Reddit had me with a different view of the blades with the visual color. It sounds like multiples like 2 grow and one glow is a good combo.

Yea that would be a good setup but since my tank is only 12” wide 3 on it would be a bit much lol.
I was contemplating on buy the a8 pro to pair with them but that is probably super crazy

 

[RMS18]

Yea that would be a good setup but since my tank is only 12” wide 3 on it would be a bit much lol.
I was contemplating on buy the a8 pro to pair with them but that is probably super crazy

Yea imo AI missed out and should have added more colors into the blades. After looking more into them, they just fall a bit short to filling all the boxes. I remember the old t5 2 bulbs t5 days and it seems the grow has the same colors, like a window blue looking tank.