Do I add another AI Prime?

[SaltyCrew4u]

I currently have UNS 75P - 36 Gallon rimless tank measuring roughly 30×18×18 with two AI Prime 16HD's sitting roughly 9" above the water level. I purchased a PAR reader and I'm not surprised my highest reading I got was 330 with my setting on the higher side which was located at the highest point of my rock work. My red/green are set below 15, while my white fluctuations between 30-50 and the rest fluctuating between 80-103. I don't think cranking those numbers up to 120-140 would be good for the lights? I'm curious to know what the safe range is? I'm also thinking of adding another light. Do I add a 3rd prime 16 or do I get a 32? Or just a different light to add? I should of went bigger to begin with so I don't have mount after mount. I'm open for any recommendations. I have two Maximas that want more light, and the rest are Zoas, hammers, goni & mushrooms. That's the same setup just pre corals.

 

[DDenny]

Personally I would go bigger just to get the double mounts out of the way, but at 30” not sure if a single 32 would be enough to cover without some shading. Will leave the lighting up to others that are more experienced with those lights.

 

[SaltyCrew4u]

Personally I would go bigger just to get the double mounts out of the way, but at 30” not sure if a single 32 would be enough to cover without some shading. Will leave the lighting up to others that are more experienced with those lights.

Yea I agree. I even asked my LFS at the time of purchase if I should go bigger and they said, that's the good thing about the 16's you can add another. Sounded good at the time. I could do a 32 in the center and have a 16 on each end. Idk if that's over kill. Still stuck with a 3rd mount.

 

[MnFish1]

I currently have UNS 75P - 36 Gallon rimless tank measuring roughly 30×18×18 with two AI Prime 16HD's sitting roughly 9" above the water level. I purchased a PAR reader and I'm not surprised my highest reading I got was 330 with my setting on the higher side which was located at the highest point of my rock work. My red/green are set below 15, while my white fluctuations between 30-50 and the rest fluctuating between 80-103. I don't think cranking those numbers up to 120-140 would be good for the lights? I'm curious to know what the safe range is? I'm also thinking of adding another light. Do I add a 3rd prime 16 or do I get a 32? Or just a different light to add? I should of went bigger to begin with so I don't have mount after mount. I'm open for any recommendations. I have two Maximas that want more light, and the rest are Zoas, hammers, goni & mushrooms. That's the same setup just pre corals.

I like any of your options - so I won't pick one. but - if you increased the intensity of your lights - wouldn't that have the same effect? Nice rocks cape by the way

 

[Extremeengineer]

Whatever you do, can you do a drop mount from the ceiling? Cleans up the brackets, but you do have to consider power routing.

 

[thedon986]

Have you tried just lowering them a couple inches?

 

[SaltyCrew4u]

I like any of your options - so I won't pick one. but - if you increased the intensity of your lights - wouldn't that have the same effect? Nice rocks cape by the way

I feel like maxing out the lights will either overheat them or cause them to die faster. If I add a 3rd I might be able to keep the same levels and evenly distribute the light. Thank you!

 

[SaltyCrew4u]

Have you tried just lowering them a couple inches?

I have and it increases my PAR a little but also takes it away from other sections of my tank.

 

[GARRIGA]

What exactly are you trying to keep? SPS?

Me personally, seeking spread and if an additional light affords that even if additional PAR not required then so be it.

 

[SaltyCrew4u]

What exactly are you trying to keep? SPS?

Me personally, seeking spread and if an additional light affords that even if additional PAR not required then so be it.

In the future I plan on adding SPS. But I have two Maximas that require higher lighting.

 

[GARRIGA]

In the future I plan on adding SPS. But I have two Maximas that require higher lighting.

Then I 'd add a third and not just get higher PAR potential but better spread and grow that SPS laterally vs vertical. Although could just place them closer together over that clam and closer to the surface of the water, too.

 

[SaltyCrew4u]

Then I 'd add a third and not just get higher PAR potential but better spread and grow that SPS laterally vs vertical. Although could just place them closer together over that clam and closer to the surface

Then I 'd add a third and not just get higher PAR potential but better spread and grow that SPS laterally vs vertical. Although could just place them closer together over that clam and closer to the surface of the water, too.

Would you do a 32 with a 16 on each side or three 16's?

 

[SliceGolfer]

Your experience isn't too different than mine when I had my IM Nuvo 20. I ran two AI Primes, 9 inch mounting height, with the AB+ interpretation spectrum. I had to run at 70% intensity to get 250-300 PAR in the middle of the tank. Your PAR reading of 330 in the center highest point is the hotspot caused by the overlapping spread of the two lights.

You could ramp up the intensity, add additional lights, lower mounting height, change to a different light, etc. On my tank above, I chose to replace the AI Primes with a 24" panel that covered the tank. This allowed me to set height and spectrum once, then focus on the correct intensity. Fast forward to today, I would likely choose two Noopsyche K7 Pro V3 lights, or another Reefbreeders Photon like the one I ultimately swapped with.

 

[GARRIGA]

Would you do a 32 with a 16 on each side or three 16's?

Rather have the flexibility of three 16s and move them around as needed. In the end I went with Radion XR15 Pro G6 due to the better spread for my 20g semi nano although had the blades been out likely had gone that route and might for the upgrade and main. Have you checked those out being they best replicate T5s or VHO from back in my day? Only issue I'm currently seeing with the Blades being so close to the surface it blocks top down viewing, assuming that's needed and with an SPS dominant tank I'd think it's almost a requirement. I'd likely just mount them high being I'm going aluminum extruded stand and those are easy to add an extension and place lights where needed and out of the way.

 

[GARRIGA]

This would be an option. Utilize existing Primes and add two strips. Now everything illuminated yet center getting highest PAR and borrowing from the strips. Especially if tilted inwards which reduces external bleed.

 

[SaltyCrew4u]

Your experience isn't too different than mine when I had my IM Nuvo 20. I ran two AI Primes, 9 inch mounting height, with the AB+ interpretation spectrum. I had to run at 70% intensity to get 250-300 PAR in the middle of the tank. Your PAR reading of 330 in the center highest point is the hotspot caused by the overlapping spread of the two lights.

You could ramp up the intensity, add additional lights, lower mounting height, change to a different light, etc. On my tank above, I chose to replace the AI Primes with a 24" panel that covered the tank. This allowed me to set height and spectrum once, then focus on the correct intensity. Fast forward to today, I would likely choose two Noopsyche K7 Pro V3 lights, or another Reefbreeders Photon like the one I ultimately swapped with.

 

[SaltyCrew4u]

Your experience isn't too different than mine when I had my IM Nuvo 20. I ran two AI Primes, 9 inch mounting height, with the AB+ interpretation spectrum. I had to run at 70% intensity to get 250-300 PAR in the middle of the tank. Your PAR reading of 330 in the center highest point is the hotspot caused by the overlapping spread of the two lights.

You could ramp up the intensity, add additional lights, lower mounting height, change to a different light, etc. On my tank above, I chose to replace the AI Primes with a 24" panel that covered the tank. This allowed me to set height and spectrum once, then focus on the correct intensity. Fast forward to today, I would likely choose two Noopsyche K7 Pro V3 lights, or another Reefbreeders Photon like the one I ultimately swapped with.

Your experience isn't too different than mine when I had my IM Nuvo 20. I ran two AI Primes, 9 inch mounting height, with the AB+ interpretation spectrum. I had to run at 70% intensity to get 250-300 PAR in the middle of the tank. Your PAR reading of 330 in the center highest point is the hotspot caused by the overlapping spread of the two lights.

You could ramp up the intensity, add additional lights, lower mounting height, change to a different light, etc. On my tank above, I chose to replace the AI Primes with a 24" panel that covered the tank. This allowed me to set height and spectrum once, then focus on the correct intensity. Fast forward to today, I would likely choose two Noopsyche K7 Pro V3 lights, or another Reefbreeders Photon like the one I ultimately swapped with.

Tank looks amazing! I'll look those lights up. I appreciate it.

 

[SaltyCrew4u]

This would be an option. Utilize existing Primes and add two strips. Now everything illuminated yet center getting highest PAR and borrowing from the strips. Especially if tilted inwards which reduces external bleed.

I don't think my 16's can attach to something like this. Otherwise it would be perfect. Lots of lights to pick from. I'll either add to or just get a new setup.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

that’s adequate light for for almost any coral. Just leave as is. Or, you can fill in some t5’s and make a hybrid if you wish. But you are good.

 

[GARRIGA]

I don't think my 16's can attach to something like this. Otherwise it would be perfect. Lots of lights to pick from. I'll either add to or just get a new setup.

You have an 18' wide tank therefore plenty of room for the bracket and I recall many use Primes because it offers the lowest cost of entry to do this. Add two blades and you should have no shade yet plenty of PAR.