The primes definitely have issues, but as a stand alone for the OP, I think they are a better option than 1 grow and 1 glow. All that said, I will be upgrading the Primes in my T5 hybrid fixture with Reefbreeders Meridian 11's in a few months.
AI Prime HD or Blades
- Thread starter E.intheC
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zwalter38
Active Member
I wouldn’t be too concerned about the lenses melting personally. I have two hydra 32’s running at 100% for over a year and there was minimal melting of the lenses. I went to check them after I read about it and they were just starting to melt. I emailed AI and they sent me new ones free of charge. The replacement was extremely simple. That being said I would be on the team of 2 blades ( 1 grow, 1 glow). Like Randy said no noise, plus I think they would just look better in my opinion at least. However I believe both options would be effective. If I was making the decision between the two, it would come down to noise and the look you preferred between the two.
I would be worried about a big chunk of the spectrum missing using the Glow and Grow Blades stand-alone. The green spectrum just visually brightens thing up a bit, but the red is important for photosynthesis. Another loaded topic. I would love to see a combination of the Glow, Grow and GloFish.
So I believe I actually cursed myself by responding to this thread. The fan on one of my Primes is starting cr@p out. it's making a ton of noise. I might have to replace them before I want to. Reefbreeder meridians here I come. I just ordered a par meter so I don't fry up my corals when I make the transition.
Lol. I ended up taking the mesh guards off mine, which helped but still had to kickstart the fans manually now and then. On happier news, I've cleaned mine, taken the lenses out completely and retrofit them (without lenses) to my current lighting setup at 7000K (was gonna buy floodlights, but changed my mind). I've angled the lights in to exaggerate the glimmer. #bringtheshimmerback :)
You probably just don't have the mounting height correct. There is not "one" mounting height for AI puck-style lights. It is completely dependent on what area you're trying to cover.
OP
OP
E.intheC
Active Member
Quick question- I bought one each of the 12in blade glow and grow.
The tank is roughly 18inches cubed. What intensity should I target? Going for bubble tips and low-medium light corals for now.
The tank is roughly 18inches cubed. What intensity should I target? Going for bubble tips and low-medium light corals for now.
BriDroid
I glue animals to rocks.
I had a single Grow over my 11 cube. It was good, but lacking something. I added a Glow recently and I’m very happy with the two of them. I’m running the Saxby file straight from AI’s website. I’m very happy, and the coral is too the way the pH climbs when the lights are on.
Gregg @ ADP
Valuable Member
I have probably put more AI Hydras over tanks than any other LED brand. Every experience has not been great, but overall very good.
If it were me, I would put a Hydra 32 over an 18”x18”. Better distribution of light.
If it were me, I would put a Hydra 32 over an 18”x18”. Better distribution of light.
SFNanoReef
Active Member
Not sure if this thread is still alive but I have some input. I have a mixed reef 24g 18x18x18 tank with an Ai Prime and it’s not enough. The light is mounted 9 inches off the water and the spread is very poor. My acros are brown on 1 side due to lack of light.
I have contemplated many options and stretched my budget in my mind many times. Maxspect Ethereal, XR15, Hydra 32HD, Hydra Edge 44Hd. After many hours of researching, I settled on 3 Ai blades because of Dmitry Tumanov. Dmitry is on the AI Signature Series and I followed his YT channel. He switch both of his main tanks from Ai Hydra’s to blades for 2-3 years now and they look amazing. You can’t beat the spreads.
If not, XR15 is the way to go. They are the workhorse of the industry.
I have contemplated many options and stretched my budget in my mind many times. Maxspect Ethereal, XR15, Hydra 32HD, Hydra Edge 44Hd. After many hours of researching, I settled on 3 Ai blades because of Dmitry Tumanov. Dmitry is on the AI Signature Series and I followed his YT channel. He switch both of his main tanks from Ai Hydra’s to blades for 2-3 years now and they look amazing. You can’t beat the spreads.
If not, XR15 is the way to go. They are the workhorse of the industry.
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