2x prime 16Hd enough for 4ft tank ?

[Jaybeastin]

I have a Red Sea 350 that’s 4ft long and about 20” wide. Is 2x 16hd prime enough for softies and LPS? Is 3 over kill ?

 

[Not an IT guy]

Not an emergency type of post. I run two 32hd and 16HD with T5. 48/24/24 for what’s it’s worth. Mix reef.

 

[Jaybeastin]

Not an emergency type of post. I run two 32hd and 16HD with T5. 48/24/24 for what’s it’s worth. Mix reef.

Sorry about the emergency thing . Didn’t realize I click that

 

[Not an IT guy]

No blood no foul.

 

[Jeeperz]

I've had a prime hd over my reefer 350 for 6+ months as the hydra26 died. I was going to put 3 Hydra 26 over it but they changed to the 32 and I don't like those. I have a bunch of blue stylophora and an unknown wild sps that have grown, they are mostly in the center 2 feet of the tank with a green Monti at the same level that's grown a bit. Also an rbta, leather mushroom. It definitely won't light the whole tank. I'd use 3 at the minimum.

 

[ApoIsland]

I have a Red Sea 350 that’s 4ft long and about 20” wide. Is 2x 16hd prime enough for softies and LPS? Is 3 over kill ?

I would put 8 of them on that tank if you want good light coverage end to end front to back.

I had one on a 16g cube and was limited to what I could keep on the sides. They are really good for a 12x12 area though.

 

[mrpontiac80]

I have a 4’ tank that originally had 2 prime 16 hd lights. They did ok but once I added a 3rd I could tell a big difference. I eventually bought a par meter and was only managing a max of about 250 at the top of my rocks using mostly blues with just 14% of whites. I just upgraded last week to a reefbreeders 48 photon v2+. Couldn’t be happier with the spread and better par. I’m going to use the primes over a smaller tank with softies and inverts. They are good lights but you need several if you end up with more demanding corals

 

[Spare time]

I would put 8 of them on that tank if you want good light coverage end to end front to back.

I had one on a 16g cube and was limited to what I could keep on the sides. They are really good for a 12x12 area though.

Have you ever used a par meter with them? What settings? What mounting height? they can very much light an 18^3 area

 

[Spare time]

If you go with AI's go with 3. However, I do not recommend them as the lenses melt and are notorious for having issues with the UV and violet.

 

[Jaybeastin]

8? That’s overkill for what I’m keeping lol

I would put 8 of them on that tank if you want good light coverage end to end front to back.

I had one on a 16g cube and was limited to what I could keep on the sides. They are really good for a 12x12 area though.

 

[Jaybeastin]

If you go with AI's go with 3. However, I do not recommend them as the lenses melt and are notorious for having issues with the UV and violet.

Really? Mines been solid so far over a year. Just loud

 

[Jaybeastin]

I have a 4’ tank that originally had 2 prime 16 hd lights. They did ok but once I added a 3rd I could tell a big difference. I eventually bought a par meter and was only managing a max of about 250 at the top of my rocks using mostly blues with just 14% of whites. I just upgraded last week to a reefbreeders 48 photon v2+. Couldn’t be happier with the spread and better par. I’m going to use the primes over a smaller tank with softies and inverts. They are good lights but you need several if you end up with more demanding corals

Thanks I might just go with 3

 

[Spare time]

Really? Mines been solid so far over a year. Just loud

Yeah particularly if you use the intensity on the higher end. on UV and Violet. If you run beneath that you may not have an issue.

 

[ApoIsland]

Have you ever used a par meter with them? What settings? What mounting height? they can very much light an 18^3 area

It was about 8 inches above the water 100 blue/UV channels and 50% white.

 

[ApoIsland]

Really? Mines been solid so far over a year. Just loud

My lens melted just before 2 years. I had 3 fixtures and only 1 of them lasted more than 2 years. I love the spectrum but hate the light…

 

[blaxsun]

Personally, I'd go with 3 XR15s.

 

[Hats_]

I have 4 primes over my reefer350. par is close to 400 on top of the rockwork

 

[DeniableArc]

I have 4 primes over my reefer350. par is close to 400 on top of the rockwork

Can you post a screen shot of your schedule, I use 4 over a rsr 250. I haven’t par tested I just can’t stand the fan noise over 30w- 60% blues 15% white

 

[Hats_]

Can you post a screen shot of your schedule, I use 4 over a rsr 250. I haven’t par tested I just can’t stand the fan noise over 30w- 60% blues 15% whiteView attachment 3072930

4 over a reefer250 is quite a lot of light, i used to have 3 over my old reefer250 and ran them at 100% brs ab+ I am thinking of switching to saxbys schedule since i have a feeling i am overlighting stuff right now. still feel like 4 is good for my tank tho. i recently upgraded from the reefer250 which ran amazingly with this schedule and 3 primes. growth was amazing