AI prime or Hydra 32

[boisblancboy]

Hey guys I’m having a hard time choosing lighting for a 35.2 Waterbox.

My thought was to get a light that covers all bases so I don’t have to upgrade later depending on what I stock the tank with.

With that said I think it’s comes down to either the AI Prime or Hydra 32.

Hoping some of you could shed some light on this situation for me. Thanks

 

[X-37B]

I would do 2 16hds vs one 32.
You can space the 16's if needed.
I have had great results running multiple 16's.
My old 24×20×18.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Agree with above, 2 AI Primes for that size tank. As another option, I recently put a nicrew 100 watt on my 32 gallon and I'm happy with it.

 

[jhadaway]

Agreed. 2 primes

 

[ChrisPPolys]

Been running a Hydra 32 over my 32 gallon biocube for years. The intensity is turned way down. If you have a 3d printer the shade is nice, If not, don’t waste the $40. Works fantastic with or without the shade.

Only have to worry about one light breaking as opposed to two. Plenty of room in terms of intensity if you decide to upgrade.

 

[boisblancboy]

Thanks everyone. So the Hydra doesn’t have enough spread or power ya thinking? Just curious on your recommendations a little more. Lot to learn with lights.

 

[X-37B]

Thanks everyone. So the Hydra doesn’t have enough spread or power ya thinking? Just curious on your recommendations a little more. Lot to learn with lights.

The 32 is just 2 16's. With the 2 16's you would cover more area with less shadowing.
This is 4 16's over my 36×24 frag system. I started with 3 then went to 4. 2 16's cover a 18×24 area works well.

 

[rennjidk]

I hate when people do this to me, but I'd really suggest neither. I'd do (3) 21" blades (two grow, one glow) mounted on 2 HMS arms. I went with multiple Primes and have a lot of shadowing over a 24"x11" display. I can hit 350 par, but I'd have started with the blades, if I could do it over.

 

[Dbartlett727]

I had 2 primes over a 36x18x 24 deep tank and it worked amazing. No shadowing since I could place them far enough apart to light it just right. Now I have a 60x24 tank with 3 primes and it’s not enough spread between the 3 of them for the full length so i need to add another to get rid of the dark corners. Overall, I can say I’m glad I ended up with multiple primes instead of the single hydra on my smaller tank like I originally intended, just for the fact I didn’t end up needing to get another light unexpectedly when I turned it on for the first time and realized how under lit the tank was.