IM 25 Lagoon adding another Prime 16HD

[easyhobbs]

I have a IM 25 lagoon setup with 1 ai prime 16 hd running pennywise program right now. My corals (mostly Zoas with a torch and hammer) are doing good and algae is very minimal. I’m looking to add another ai prime 16 light to hopefully have the chance to get into some sps.

My concern is by adding the additional light how will my current corals react?

Will the extra light cause an algae outbreak?

If anyone has made this upgrade successfully can you give me some tips and suggestions on making sure it happens smoothly?

 

[shakacuz]

you can add the 2nd light in "acclimation mode" to have it slowly ramp up to the intensity that your current light has/is set up to. shouldn't be an issue

 

[Ksturg]

I have a IM 25 lagoon setup with 1 ai prime 16 hd running pennywise program right now. My corals (mostly Zoas with a torch and hammer) are doing good and algae is very minimal. I’m looking to add another ai prime 16 light to hopefully have the chance to get into some sps.

My concern is by adding the additional light how will my current corals react?

Will the extra light cause an algae outbreak?

If anyone has made this upgrade successfully can you give me some tips and suggestions on making sure it happens smoothly?

Can you share the pennywise program?

 

[Ksturg]

I have a IM 25 lagoon setup with 1 ai prime 16 hd running pennywise program right now. My corals (mostly Zoas with a torch and hammer) are doing good and algae is very minimal. I’m looking to add another ai prime 16 light to hopefully have the chance to get into some sps.

My concern is by adding the additional light how will my current corals react?

Will the extra light cause an algae outbreak?

If anyone has made this upgrade successfully can you give me some tips and suggestions on making sure it happens smoothly?

And how far above the water is your lights? I also have a 25 lagoon…I think I may need to move my light down.

 

[SliceGolfer]

Assuming you will program the new light to the same spectrum and intensity as the current light, there shouldn't be much acclimation needed. The only place you will see an increase in intensity is where the two light patterns overlay each other, creating a "hotspot". This can be managed by using a PAR meter and adjusting intensity, or decreasing overall intensity by a few percentage points. Think of it this way, you aren't increasing the overall intensity of the light, only the coverage. Areas that were once shady will now have more light available due to expanded coverage.

My old IM20 as an example:

And changing from two Primes to a panel style Reef Breeders for better coverage:

 

[Northern Flicker]

I ran dual Primes over my 25 lagoon.

Remember, its always better to get more coverage. If you are worried about the PAR, run both at 50% of your current program and slowly ramp up. The AI app can do this for you.

 

[easyhobbs]

Can you share the pennywise program?

I found it a facebook group. It’s called AI Prime/Hydra Reef Group

 

[easyhobbs]

Assuming you will program the new light to the same spectrum and intensity as the current light, there shouldn't be much acclimation needed. The only place you will see an increase in intensity is where the two light patterns overlay each other, creating a "hotspot". This can be managed by using a PAR meter and adjusting intensity, or decreasing overall intensity by a few percentage points. Think of it this way, you aren't increasing the overall intensity of the light, only the coverage. Areas that were once shady will now have more light available due to expanded coverage.

My old IM20 as an example:

And changing from two Primes to a panel style Reef Breeders for better coverage:

Thanks! This makes sense to me! I don’t really have anything up high in the center so it shouldn’t really effect my corals much at all

 

[easyhobbs]

And how far above the water is your lights? I also have a 25 lagoon…I think I may need to move my light down.

I have it 12” above my water line

 

[Northern Flicker]

I found a better pic which shows the light coverage:

1 Prime:

2 Primes:

 

[Heymoose]

Is that the 18” or 12” gooseneck mount? No problem mounting it in the center filter chamber?