Just upgraded from a biocube (have had it for 8 years) to an aquatop 48.

[Allison Craig]

I am interested in the AI hydra hd 26, but am curious if 2 HD primes would be better coverage? Thank you in advance!

 

[Crabs McJones]

Welcome to R2R!

two primes over that footprint of 36x18x18 would work fine for a mixed reef with sps corals towards the top portion of the tank
#WelcometoR2R

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

Welcome to R2R

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[GoVols]

Welcome to Reef 2 Reef!!

 

[GoVols]

@jsker
Can you help out @Allison Craig with your thoughts on the AI's?

 

[Pntbll687]

Which 48 from aquatop do you have? The all in one cube, or the more standard tank with sump?

 

[jsker]

@Allison Craig welcome to R2R

Can you please give us your tank dimensions?

 

[Chrisfish]

Welcome to R2R

 

[Allison Craig]

Which 48 from aquatop do you have? The all in one cube, or the more standard tank with sump?

Standard with the sump

 

[Allison Craig]

Welcome to R2R!

two primes over that footprint of 36x18x18 would work fine for a mixed reef with sps corals towards the top portion of the tank
#WelcometoR2R

Thank you!

 

[Allison Craig]

@Allison Craig welcome to R2R

Can you please give us your tank dimensions?

36x18x18

 

[Pntbll687]

Standard with the sump

If you go the prime or any single "compact" led where is essentially a led puck, you'll probably need two to get good coverage in the middle and less on the sides.
You can probably get by with 1 Hydra 26.

What do you plan on keeping in the tank? Softie? Lps? Sps?

Personally, I tried the programmable led route with my 20 long. But I ended up playing with it and constantly changing the settings. I went with T5's and life is much better.

Any thought to T5's or a led combo?

 

[Allison Craig]

If you go the prime or any single "compact" led where is essentially a led puck, you'll probably need two to get good coverage in the middle and less on the sides.
You can probably get by with 1 Hydra 26.

What do you plan on keeping in the tank? Softie? Lps? Sps?

Personally, I tried the programmable led route with my 20 long. But I ended up playing with it and constantly changing the settings. I went with T5's and life is much better.

Any thought to T5's or a led combo?

I would like to have the ability to keep both lps and sps. I have not thought about that option, I am going to look into it now! Thank you for your suggestion!

 

[Pntbll687]

The good thing is, it's not a very deep tank so all the AI products would be able to grow what you want. It just depends on how large of an area they'll be able to do that in.

One thing to look at is all the functions of the light, that you'll never use. For me, I'm never home when the lights come on, and rarely in the room when the turn off. So ramping up and down isn't a concern for me.

Things like that made it easier for me to pick a "simpler" light.

 

[Allison Craig]

I would like to have the ability to keep both lps and sps. I have not thought about that option, I am going to look into it now! Thank you for your suggestion!

Which t5 system do you recommend?

 

[Reefer Deez]

Welcome! Looking forward to seeing your build thread!

 

[Pntbll687]

I went with a 2ft 4 bulb basic fixture on my standard 29g, you can find on Amazon for about $60. I swapped out the bulbs for some coralife bulbs, but may go with some ati's in the future.

I'm not that well versed in 3ft fixtures. I would imagine ATI makes one that fits.

I'll see what I can find

 

[jsker]

36x18x18

The one hydra 26 hd would be perfect

 

[Allison Craig]

I went with a 2ft 4 bulb basic fixture on my standard 29g, you can find on Amazon for about $60. I swapped out the bulbs for some coralife bulbs, but may go with some ati's in the future.

I'm not that well versed in 3ft fixtures. I would imagine ATI makes one that fits.

I'll see what I can find

Thank you!