Are AI Primes sufficient enough for SPS?

[jayteerq]

Hey guys. Pretty new to reefing but I feel stable and ready to dive into SPS. I started with birdsnest, montipora caps and digitatas. Most frags are still new (under a month) so they’re looking ok. However my oldest montipora is starting to turn brown and one of my birdsnest frags are starting to turn white (but still showing polyps). I feel that it is not getting enough light. I know a par meter can simply solve this question but I don’t have access to one and it’s a little costly for me at the moment.

I have a 48” tank that’s about 22” deep. I have 2 AI Primes running pretty intensely about 8” from water level. I’m wondering if anyone has had success with SPS maybe even Acros using AI Primes? And can possibly critique my lighting schedule or give other advice? I tried to mount my SPS high and directly under the beam of light but I think I’m maxed out of potential PAR from here. The goal is to upgrade lights in the future but it’s out of budget for now. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

 

[TARHEEL78]

Primes will grow SPS but not in that tank.

 

[VintageReefer]

You need at least 4 for that tank.

Or possibly two hydra 32’/64s instead

 

[gbroadbridge]

Hey guys. Pretty new to reefing but I feel stable and ready to dive into SPS. I started with birdsnest, montipora caps and digitatas. Most frags are still new (under a month) so they’re looking ok. However my oldest montipora is starting to turn brown and one of my birdsnest frags are starting to turn white (but still showing polyps). I feel that it is not getting enough light. I know a par meter can simply solve this question but I don’t have access to one and it’s a little costly for me at the moment.

I have a 48” tank that’s about 22” deep. I have 2 AI Primes running pretty intensely about 8” from water level. I’m wondering if anyone has had success with SPS maybe even Acros using AI Primes? And can possibly critique my lighting schedule or give other advice? I tried to mount my SPS high and directly under the beam of light but I think I’m maxed out of potential PAR from here. The goal is to upgrade lights in the future but it’s out of budget for now. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

Those lights are simply not enough for that size tank to support SPS.

It may work directly under the light, but there is not enough spread.

I run 2 x Hydra 64HD's on that type of tank which works well, but I do also have 2 Prime 16 HDs also to add light from the sides.

I use a 16 HD for a 13.5g Nano.

 

[VintageReefer]

Those lights are simply not enough for that size tank to support SPS.

It may work directly under the light, but there is not enough spread.

I run 2 x Hydra 64HD's on that type of tank which works well, but I do also have 2 Prime 16 HDs also to add light from the sides.

I use a 16 HD for a 13.5g Nano.

Agree

I have a 16hd on a 15g tank.

 

[reefpanda]

I run a Hydra 32hd and 2 blue led strips to support SPS in my 15 gal so you’ll definitely need to upgrade those lights.

 

[jayteerq]

You need at least 4 for that tank.

Or possibly two hydra 32’/64s instead

Just to play devils advocate. Would it be the same par output if the frags were directly under 1 single light? Or would having 4 in the tank cause nearby lights to add to the par output?

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Just to play devils advocate. Would it be the same par output if the frags were directly under 1 single light? Or would having 4 in the tank cause nearby lights to add to the par output?

Par would definitely overlap though I'd be curious if 4 was even enough for that size tank.

 

[TARHEEL78]

Just to play devils advocate. Would it be the same par output if the frags were directly under 1 single light? Or would having 4 in the tank cause nearby lights to add to the par output?

If they were close enough together overlap would add par but really you would be better off with other lights.

 

[TARHEEL78]

As @Justfebreezeit said, 4 wouldn't even be enough. I would think you'd need 8.

 

[Ironic_Water]

I just went through this - I have an AP9X in a mixed reef. I have the right side of the tank with SPS, with the left being LPS and softies. I can't increase the AP9X too much or I'll scorch the LPS. I added a spare AI Prime HD I had on the right side, but even at 100% intensity and close to the water level, I could barely scratch 300 par. Not enough in my opinion for SPS, and I don't like running equipment at max all the time.

I got a Kessil A360XE with the 55degree deflector and I'm scratching 400 now in the hotspot.

Long story short, maybe look into some A360XE with reflector, or AP9X if the cost is similar to multiple lights?

 

[jayteerq]

Honestly my dream lighting setup is 2 XR30’s or 2XR15’s and 2AI Blades. I know what I need. It was just a matter of seeing if I can keep these guys alive while I recover my bank account from the new tank spending

 

[jayteerq]

Do you guys think 2 XR15’s will hold me over for now? I can definitely make that happen now and then add some AI Blades in the near future. Or should it be 3 XR15’s? Or 2 XR30’s? Trust me a par meter is definitely on the wishlist lol. This guessing game is so nerve wracking! I’ll look into renting one

 

[Ironic_Water]

Do you guys think 2 XR15’s will hold me over for now? I can definitely make that happen now and then add some AI Blades in the near future. Or should it be 3 XR15’s? Or 2 XR30’s? Trust me a par meter is definitely on the wishlist lol. This guessing game is so nerve wracking! I’ll look into renting one

You could save so much money by running like one AP9X, that all sounds overkill both PAR and money wise.

 

[cilyjr]

I am running 3x hydra 32hd over my 48 inch frag tank it is 8 inches deep.

These lights do not have dood depth penetration.

I was running 8x hydra 32hd with 4x 54w t5 over my 30 inch deep display and par suffered at the depth even with the t5. When I moved to the reefi uno 2.1s I gained about 200 par at 30 inches deep.

Ai is fine for shallow tanks but they don't have any real punch.

 

[jayteerq]

You could save so much money by running like one AP9X, that all sounds overkill both PAR and money wise.

Ahhh I never heard of AP9X. I’ll do some research now. Thank you!

 

[jayteerq]

I am running 3x hydra 32hd over my 48 inch frag tank it is 8 inches deep.

These lights do not have dood depth penetration.

I was running 8x hydra 32hd with 4x 54w t5 over my 30 inch deep display and par suffered at the depth even with the t5. When I moved to the reefi uno 2.1s I gained about 200 par at 30 inches deep.

Ai is fine for shallow tanks but they don't have any real punch.

I guess this is why it’s reccomended to do proper research before investing in this hobby lol. Only reason I went with 2 AI Primes is because my tank is from WaterBox and they had 2 Primes in their tank package. Guess they don’t know anything either

 

[TARHEEL78]

You could save so much money by running like one AP9X, that all sounds overkill both PAR and money wise.

1 AP9X isn't going to cover a 4' tank sufficiently.

 

[Ironic_Water]

1 AP9X isn't going to cover a 4' tank sufficiently.

Even two would likely be cheaper than running Blades and Radions though, yeah? Seems more efficient dollar to PAR to spread wise.

Alternatively he could reuse his AI Primes on either side of the AP9X if he went that route to generate more hotspots for SPS

 

[cilyjr]

Do you guys think 2 XR15’s will hold me over for now? I can definitely make that happen now and then add some AI Blades in the near future. Or should it be 3 XR15’s? Or 2 XR30’s? Trust me a par meter is definitely on the wishlist lol. This guessing game is so nerve wracking! I’ll look into renting one

I mean sure, but there other lights out there as well. Look around.

Honestly, you're talking monti cap and a birdsnest, these are pretty forgiving.

Don't rush out and buy something else you won't be happy with and have to replace later just because you're trying to get light two to two corals that one could grow in the back of their toilet.