AI Prime HD or Blades

[E.intheC]

I just setup the Red Sea desktop 18 gallon cube. It’s roughly 18x18x16.5h with about two inches in the back taken up by the filtration section. The rock work is essentially in the middle with two inches or so in between the glass and the rock.

I’m leaning toward either 2x 12 inch AI Blades or 1 AI Prime HD.

I like the idea of a spot light from the Prime, and the full coverage and ease of setup with the blades. The blades would cost a bit more but nothing crazy.

What would you choose?

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

So I am a big fan of Primes - they've grown coral well for me. However, if cost isn't a problem, I'd personally go with 1 Blade Glow and 1 Blade Grow over a single Prime.

ReefLed50 by Red Sea and Photon v2 or Meridians by Reef Breeders would be other good options.

 

[E.intheC]

I’ve typically used radions but want to try something else. I like the price-point of both the AI options.

The reefbreeders merdian is $400.. more expensive than the AI options

 

[Science/G]

The Prime would provide you with the most adjustability, in both light spectrum and mounting options.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I have a prime on my 15 gallon 18" width tank, its a good light but has a very narrow spread of light, it doesn't light the ends of the tank well. I keep mushrooms on the ends of the tank and they do reach for more light - my prime is on 75%.

 

[GallagherReef3903]

I run one coral grow and one coral glow. Build quality on my units were a 8.5/10. As far as pros and cons. They put a ton of light out, if used on a short tank like mine, IM 25lagoon, almost too much light to do a mixed reef. There are work arounds, auqascape, lighting hight and so on but can be tricky. I dont like my lights 3 feet off the tank or stting on top in the way. Between the 2 I'm only running 46w of power. Any more and anything on the top of my tank gets mad. Cons are pretty much only select build quality on some units, not that consistent with quality, and probably any decent mount that offers good flexibility with light placement if more money. Also I hate the ai app, and run them with mobius.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

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I just setup the Red Sea desktop 18 gallon cube. It’s roughly 18x18x16.5h with about two inches in the back taken up by the filtration section. The rock work is essentially in the middle with two inches or so in between the glass and the rock.

I’m leaning toward either 2x 12 inch AI Blades or 1 AI Prime HD.

I like the idea of a spot light from the Prime, and the full coverage and ease of setup with the blades. The blades would cost a bit more but nothing crazy.

What would you choose?

I chose Al Blades for my system for a variety of reasons, but noise (or lack thereof) from fans was a substantial factor.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The Prime would provide you with the most adjustability, in both light spectrum and mounting options.

Why is the Prime more adjustable in spectrum?

 

[rtparty]

I will take Blades over a Prime every time. Especially with how much the Primes like to melt their lenses

 

[areefer01]

Why is the Prime more adjustable in spectrum?

Maybe they are talking about more channels? Not sure. I do not have AI blades to compare but here is the new Edge.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Maybe they are talking about more channels? Not sure. I do not have AI blades to compare but here is the new Edge.

I have 3 freshwater and one coral glow blades. I have as many color choices for adjustment as shown above, maybe more, but I cannot check right now because the blades are not hooked up.

 

[areefer01]

I have 3 freshwater and one coral glow blades. I have as many color choices for adjustment as shown above, maybe more, but I cannot check right now because the blades are not hooked up.

All good. I can't speak for them just assuming that is maybe why. Me personally I stay out of the lighting debate.

Hope your day is well.

 

[Science/G]

Why is the Prime more adjustable in spectrum?

8 channels, including moonlight, with the Prime vs the 3 available channels on each of the Blades?!

 

[FenrirAysen]

Why is the Prime more adjustable in spectrum?

8 channels, including moonlight, with the Prime vs the 3 available channels on each of the Blades?!

The grows have 3 the glows have more.

 

[Garf]

I will take Blades over a Prime every time. Especially with how much the Primes like to melt their lenses

 

[Science/G]

"Blade Coral Grow is designed for maximum PAR efficiency and Blade Coral Glow is designed for maximum fluorescence. Mix them together and get the best of both. Peak performance is best achieved in a ratio of 2:1 Grow to Glow, but one of each is perfectly acceptable when less light is needed."

Prime HD lenses are cheap and take 5 minutes to change out. To each his own!

 

[GallagherReef3903]

Same here with noise, I sleep 2 feet away from my tank so sou and heat is minimal.

 

[rtparty]

"Blade Coral Grow is designed for maximum PAR efficiency and Blade Coral Glow is designed for maximum fluorescence. Mix them together and get the best of both. Peak performance is best achieved in a ratio of 2:1 Grow to Glow, but one of each is perfectly acceptable when less light is needed."

Prime HD lenses are cheap and take 5 minutes to change out. To each his own!

Cheap being the keyword. They are cheap in every sense

 

[Garf]

Prime HD lenses are cheap

So are aftermarket power supplies from Amazon, thankfully. Both my original power supplies died after a couple of years.

 

[Science/G]

So are aftermarket power supplies from Amazon, thankfully. Both my original power supplies died after a couple of years.

Me too