Lighting for a 55 Gallon Mixed Reef

[tljokerst]

Hello all. I am interested in getting new lighting for my mixed reef tank. I currently have 2 AI Prime HDs. I am looking at upgrading that a bit. I enjoy the control of the LED lights and wifi connectivity, but it's not a must. What options would people suggest for this style reef? Cost is not necessarily an issue as long as it's reasonable.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Hello all. I am interested in getting new lighting for my mixed reef tank. I currently have 2 AI Prime HDs. I am looking at upgrading that a bit. I enjoy the control of the LED lights and wifi connectivity, but it's not a must. What options would people suggest for this style reef? Cost is not necessarily an issue as long as it's reasonable.

If you already have the primes, why not just add a third one? Are the primes giving you issues that you want to change?

 

[tljokerst]

Well I have a center brace and I don't necessarily want to have a light over that because of weird shadowing.

 

[Crabs McJones]

What about a pair of Hydra 26's? One on each side of the brace? That way you get to keep the AI app and dont have to create new accounts

 

[tljokerst]

I was debating between Hydra 26s and Kessils. But then again, I think about how I could get a t5 fixture for half of that.

 

[themcnertney]

I'd do a four bulb t5 fixture.

 

[Montiman]

My first reef was a 55 with 4 bulb t5 and it worked great! Don’t think you can go wrong with the t5 and you might be able to keep the primes too if they can fit around the t5s

 

[uhgster1]

I am going to do that exact setup talked about earlier. 2 AI Primes and 2 Hydra 26. It should be perfect for a 55 gal SPS. A prime and hydra on each side. I tested out two primes on one side and I’m convinced that the hydras will be perfect. Basically three primes on each side.