Upgrading lights on a 40B - T5, MH, LED or combo

[Rubicon_12]

Hello everyone, this is my first post, however I have been lurking for quite a while and I'm looking for a little advice on upgrading the lights on my tank.

A little background: I've been in the hobby off and on since around 2006, I've been in a rather long hiatus (6 years) as I'm in the Military and just recently transferred off a ship and to a land unit and set up a new tank, a 40 breeder, which is about 3 months old.

Basics of the setup:
40 Breeder display
Skimz UP22 sump
Reef Octopus Classic 110
2 AI Primes (not HD) hanging approx 8" off the water
Eheim compact 2000 return pump
Ecotech MP10QD

I originally had 1 AI Prime over a IM 10, but that tank didn't survive my move to my current location. I was hoping that I could get away with lower cost by running a second over the 40B and be good. The tank is a mixed reef, some SPS, acans, torch/hammer, zoas, etc... I'm not terribly happy with the AI primes, (constantly dropping parent/child) and while I understand my tank is young, growth does not seem to be it should be.

I was considering adding a T5 retrofix (2x39W) but I'm just not sure if that is going to make a significant enough difference, or possibly switching out to T5's all together... Then I got to thinking about my last tank (60g cube) that I ran a 250W MH on and had great success. I guess what I'm getting at is there are so many more options now than back then (especially LEDs), I'm just not sure which direction to go.

Budget wise... I'd like to spend less than $700 all in (aka with bulbs, or hanging brackets, etc.) Sorry for the long first post, and thanks in advance!

 

[USMC4Life]

Take a look at SB Reeflights they are surprisingly good. The one I am running is doing wonders for my corals.

The one I am running at the moment is wifi 300w+ and it works well.

 

[mcarroll]

Why not a third Prime?

 

[Rubicon_12]

Why not a third Prime?

I've thought about a 3rd prime, but I have enough problems keeping the 2 I have connected to each other and I can't imagine adding a 3rd would make it any better...

USMC - Haven't checked out the SB reeflights before, but I will take a look.

 

[mcarroll]

That's a bummer....I don't have those lights, but I have friends that use them and haven't heard that complaint. What do you use for control on them? @hart24601 is online here and uses them.....hart, you ever have connection problems with your Primes like this?

 

[Rubicon_12]

I use the MyAI app to control them for ramp and intensity. I'd say well over half of the times that I log into the lights the child will drop and I can only control the parent, I have to unplug the other light and let it sit for about 5 minutes before plugging it back in and it will work again. It wouldn't be a huge deal if it wasn't for the fact that I like to use the acclimation mode and turn the light schedule off when introducing new fish to the display. That and I'm still trying to get the schedule exactly where I want it.

 

[mcarroll]

I know this isn't very specific to the Primes, but it sounds like you might need to try a different wifi channel for the system.

 

[hart24601]

Sorry I am not much help here. I have not used primes but 26s over the AI director and never had any issues. Hope you get it resolved quickly! The WiFi channel is a good idea. Talk to AI, their customer service is amazing and let us know what they say.

 

[mcarroll]

Man, that's funny! In my brain, I had somehow totally translated your 120 Gallon with a bunch of Hydra 26's over it into a smaller tank with a bunch of Primes! LOL. Too many threads!!!

 

[Rubicon_12]

I will have to call AI next week, my work schedule is a bit screwy this week (working nights)

Any other suggestions? BRS has a 10% off storewide sale going right now (aside from MAP items) tempted to pick up a T5 retrofit to go with the Primes...