Need new Lights

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

Hey everyone! So I need some help picking a new light for my reed tank. I currently have two Current USA Orbit marine LEDs. I know that Current is not popular, but I've had great success with them. However, one of the lights died and the other one is not enough for the tank. Unfortunately, Current also went out of business, so buying another won't work. I was considering buying an AqualIlumination Prime 16 or a Red Sea ReefLED 50. I'm leaning more towards the AI Prime, because I already have AI pumps.

My problem is the tank. My tank is weird. The dimensions are 30Hx22Wx12Dx (inches). The Red Sea says that the maximum spread is 20x20 and the AI Prime says 24x24... Neither one fits for the tank, however buying two lights might be over kill, and I really don't feel like dropping $600 on lights.

Does anyone have any experience with either the Red Sea or AI? Will one light work for my tank or would I need two? Or does anyone recommend a different brand?

 

[The_Paradox]

Does anyone have any experience with either the Red Sea or AI? Will one light work for my tank or would I need two? Or does anyone recommend a different brand?

No lights could be fine. What corals do you have? For 30” I would probably go with two import/no-name lights.

 

[Oldreefer44]

The AI Prime would work well for anything you are trying to grow now or in the future.

 

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

No lights could be fine. What corals do you have? For 30” I would probably go with two import/no-name lights.

I have a mix of everything, so no light will be 100% perfect for me.

 

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

The AI Prime would work well for anything you are trying to grow now or in the future.

Do you think one AI Prime 16 will be enough?

 

[DaJMasta]

As said, depends on the coral, but in my experience - no. You've gotta crank the channels on a Prime 16 HD to really get reasonable par out of it except on nano/pico sized tanks. The sliders go that high, sure, but it's not a focused enough beam to be supporting photosynthetic corals on the sand bed of a 30" deep tank in my opinion.

I'd consider a single Kessil A160WE specifically for the more focused beam and then mount it fairly close to the surface of the water(maybe 6-8")


But still, what coral do you want to keep? If you want SPS on the sandbed, I would be looking towards an A360X with a narrow beam reflector because 30" is deep for most fixtures and there isn't really space for multiple.

 

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

As said, depends on the coral, but in my experience - no. You've gotta crank the channels on a Prime 16 HD to really get reasonable par out of it except on nano/pico sized tanks. The sliders go that high, sure, but it's not a focused enough beam to be supporting photosynthetic corals on the sand bed of a 30" deep tank in my opinion.

I'd consider a single Kessil A160WE specifically for the more focused beam and then mount it fairly close to the surface of the water(maybe 6-8")


But still, what coral do you want to keep? If you want SPS on the sandbed, I would be looking towards an A360X with a narrow beam reflector because 30" is deep for most fixtures and there isn't really space for multiple.

I have a mix of corals. Mostly LPS, Softies and colony polyps. I like the Kessil's but the price point is just too high.

 

[DaJMasta]

I don't know if you're thinking of the same Kessil. I'm seeing the A160WE as virtually the same price as the AI Prime 16 HD ($6 cheaper on BRS.)

It's not like it's the only option, but if you were discrediting it just for price, you probably shouldn't be.

 

[Reefing102]

Perhaps look at something like Noopsyche or the Reefi Uno 2? They might fit you budget and tank better?

 

[curt]

I like the Nooppsyche Pro 3 much better then the AI Prime 16 over the 24”x 12” tank I have it over I have it set at about 50%.

 

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

I don't know if you're thinking of the same Kessil. I'm seeing the A160WE as virtually the same price as the AI Prime 16 HD ($6 cheaper on BRS.)

It's not like it's the only option, but if you were discrediting it just for price, you probably shouldn't be.

I was talking more of the A360X, which you also referenced

 

[twentyleagues]

AI blade would be a great replacement. 20" blade would do wonders much better than your current ones. ( see what I did there)

 

[Oldreefer44]

Any of the above will work well.

 

[oreo54]

Hey everyone! So I need some help picking a new light for my reed tank. I currently have two Current USA Orbit marine LEDs. I know that Current is not popular, but I've had great success with them. However, one of the lights died and the other one is not enough for the tank. Unfortunately, Current also went out of business, so buying another won't work. I was considering buying an AqualIlumination Prime 16 or a Red Sea ReefLED 50. I'm leaning more towards the AI Prime, because I already have AI pumps.

My problem is the tank. My tank is weird. The dimensions are 30Hx22Wx12Dx (inches). The Red Sea says that the maximum spread is 20x20 and the AI Prime says 24x24... Neither one fits for the tank, however buying two lights might be over kill, and I really don't feel like dropping $600 on lights.

Does anyone have any experience with either the Red Sea or AI? Will one light work for my tank or would I need two? Or does anyone recommend a different brand?

Consider the Hydra 32

Hydra 32 HD LED Reef Light - Black Body

More Color, More Spread, More Power, and More Refined A new generation of Aqua Illumination Hydra lighting is here! The Hydra 32 HD has been redesigned making the reef lights more efficient with better aesthetics. The Hydra Lights have been a staple in the reefing community for years and the new...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[ryanjohn1]

Shame you’re not in pa. I’ve got 2 ai blades I may be selling soome

 

[kbnh]

LED Light Bars for Coral Reef Aquariums | Quanta Lights

Quanta lights offers premium LED lighting solutions for aquariums. Our LED light bars are designed for coral reef aquariums and can also be used on saltwater and freshwater aquariums. Quanta lights offer value, innovation, and incredible spectrums that are simple to use and built to last.

www.quantareef.com

If you’re interested in led light bars I’d give quanta reef lights a try, relatively affordable, good quality, responds to questions in a very decent time manner, and a good warranty

 

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

Thanks everyone for the help. I ended up getting an AI Blade Coral Grow, as I have a AI pump. However, holy mother of God the AI app for lighting is a nightmare. I wish it was a little more user friendly

 

[twentyleagues]

Thanks everyone for the help. I ended up getting an AI Blade Coral Grow, as I have a AI pump. However, holy mother of God the AI app for lighting is a nightmare. I wish it was a little more user friendly

ehhh. Once you get used to it its not bad. The sliders kill me though.

 

[Aquariumaddictuk]

Hey everyone! So I need some help picking a new light for my reed tank. I currently have two Current USA Orbit marine LEDs. I know that Current is not popular, but I've had great success with them. However, one of the lights died and the other one is not enough for the tank. Unfortunately, Current also went out of business, so buying another won't work. I was considering buying an AqualIlumination Prime 16 or a Red Sea ReefLED 50. I'm leaning more towards the AI Prime, because I already have AI pumps.

My problem is the tank. My tank is weird. The dimensions are 30Hx22Wx12Dx (inches). The Red Sea says that the maximum spread is 20x20 and the AI Prime says 24x24... Neither one fits for the tank, however buying two lights might be over kill, and I really don't feel like dropping $600 on lights.

Does anyone have any experience with either the Red Sea or AI? Will one light work for my tank or would I need two? Or does anyone recommend a different brand?

I like the led90 I've got.
Par is less than website states but they do crank out good numbers with whites raised.
My corals like them.
Spread is a little lacking for SPS dominant over my 24 wide tank so I've supplemented with a KESSIL which is another option to consider.

 

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

For those who have the AI Blades grow, what are your settings set at? Do you have your own custom setup or are you using the factory settings?