Led lighting options for 36”x36”x20” mixed reef

[Sparky27]

Hello all I am looking for LED lighting recommendations for my new tank.

The tank is the IM Nuvo 112 EXT. It is 36” long, 36” front to back, and 20” deep.

MY goals for this tank are a mixed reef but mostly LPS and Zoas with a few strategically placed hardier SPS.

Some options I’ve come up with from my research are as follows.

4x AI Prime 16 HD(2 rows of 2)
-Probably best coverage
-that’s a lot of mounting equipment
-can they be made to work with the HMS rails?

2x AI Hydra 32HD(1 row lights oriented front to back)
-if raised a bit higher can they achieve close to 36” spread?

1x Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G5
-got this recommendation from local forum
-can 1 of these fixtures raised up a bit really be capable of spreading the light that far?

I don’t want the edges of the tank to be dark but also I don’t need them to get 400 par either.

Open to all suggestions. Thanks in advance.

 

[P-Dub]

I like the 4 Prime's best of the choices you listed.

 

[Jekyl]

24" Hybrid T5HO 4x24W Fixture

Welcome to the future of aquarium lighting! Combine your favorite LED Light module along with Aquatic Lifes T5 lighting fixture to create a stellar lighting system! Accepts many of your favorite LED lighting modules! Includes standard LED Light Brackets Powder Coated Aluminum Frame Individual...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

With 2 of the AI prime.

 

[Sparky27]

24" Hybrid T5HO 4x24W Fixture

Welcome to the future of aquarium lighting! Combine your favorite LED Light module along with Aquatic Lifes T5 lighting fixture to create a stellar lighting system! Accepts many of your favorite LED lighting modules! Includes standard LED Light Brackets Powder Coated Aluminum Frame Individual...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

With 2 of the AI prime.

Are you recommending the 24” or 36”? I have heard good things about this hybrid setup. My concern was that it’s only 18” front to back. Wouldn’t that also leave some of the tank with little to no coverage?

 

[Sparky27]

I like the 4 Prime's best of the choices you listed.

My issue there is mounting. The tank has a 3” euro brace and I don’t think I’d like 4 lights individually hanging from the ceiling. I do like the HMS tank mount but I would need to know if there’s a way to attach the Primes to the HMS rail.

 

[Jekyl]

Are you recommending the 24” or 36”? I have heard good things about this hybrid setup. My concern was that it’s only 18” front to back. Wouldn’t that also leave some of the tank with little to no coverage?

The 24" should cover the tank no issue. 36 is better

 

[oreo54]

Prime LED Hanging Kit - Black

The AI Prime Hanging Kit is a simple, yet elegant solution to suspend the AI Prime light above your aquarium. The unique ball joint makes it easy to tilt, turn, and adjust the light to your coral's preference. The AI Prime Hanging Kit is made from high quality aluminum with a black suspension bar.

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Probably can use these for alterative mounting.

 

[40g Nano]

I would do a hybrid

 

[Sparky27]

Prime LED Hanging Kit - Black

The AI Prime Hanging Kit is a simple, yet elegant solution to suspend the AI Prime light above your aquarium. The unique ball joint makes it easy to tilt, turn, and adjust the light to your coral's preference. The AI Prime Hanging Kit is made from high quality aluminum with a black suspension bar.

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Probably can use these for alterative mounting.

Right I don’t want 4 separate cables from hanging from the ceiling. Well actually my better half doesn’t. That’s why if I can confirm there’s a way to mount the prime to the hms rail that may be the route I go.

 

[tkd]

I used to have 2 AI Primes and used the flex arm. I eventually went to the Hydra's. May understanding is the AI Prime's require its own unique mounting system and is specific to the Prime, Prime HD, and Prime Freshwater (Prime Flex Arm, Prime Tank Mount and Prime Hanging Kit). However, you may be able to do a DIY hanging kit. Check out the BRS video, they did a spotlight on the AI primes Spotlight on the AI Prime HD LED Light - BRStv - Bulk Reef Supply. They mentioned in this video about doing a DIY mount about 3/4 of the way through the video when Randy talks about mounting these lights.

 

[Shooter6]

1 ledzeal.com mirage x300 superblue. That will allow you to grow high light requiring acro on the sandbed! All at a max peak of around 50% per channel.

 

[Shooter6]

 

[Sparky27]

I used to have 2 AI Primes and used the flex arm. I eventually went to the Hydra's. May understanding is the AI Prime's require its own unique mounting system and is specific to the Prime, Prime HD, and Prime Freshwater (Prime Flex Arm, Prime Tank Mount and Prime Hanging Kit). However, you may be able to do a DIY hanging kit. Check out the BRS video, they did a spotlight on the AI primes Spotlight on the AI Prime HD LED Light - BRStv - Bulk Reef Supply. They mentioned in this video about doing a DIY mount about 3/4 of the way through the video when Randy talks about mounting these lights.

My thought is by using the Prime hanging kit bracket could that not be bolted on to the HMS rail?

 

[Sparky27]

Ok after significant consideration the options are now as follows.

4 AI Prime 16 HD

Aquaticlife T5 Hybrid with two Hydra 32 HD

Aquaticlife T5 Hybrid with two Radion XR15 G5

Aquaticlife T5 Hybrid with one Radion XR30 G5

This is the final list it will be one of these setups. Give me your best input.

 

[Hydrored]

I would go with a straton mounted 10” off the tank

 

[Sparky27]

I would go with a straton mounted 10” off the tank

Can’t find them in stock anywhere. Therefore they are basically not an option.

 

[nereefpat]

That 3 foot width makes it extra challenging. I usually like the T5/LED hybrid recommendations, but I don't like it here because of the width.

4 hydras would make sense to me.
An 8 bulb T5 would be another option.

 

[Sparky27]

That 3 foot width makes it extra challenging. I usually like the T5/LED hybrid recommendations, but I don't like it here because of the width.

4 hydras would make sense to me.
An 8 bulb T5 would be another option.

Even with the 24” extended end plates for the T5 hybrid?

4 hydras is a little out of the budget.

 

[Fish_Sticks]

Holy cow... those prices are nuts. Just get a few 120$ 18" sbreef lights and call it a day. Custom diode layout for corals. Grows acros well, and you mentioned lps and zoas. Sbreeflights.com

 

[Sparky27]

Holy cow... those prices are nuts. Just get a few 120$ 18" sbreef lights and call it a day. Custom diode layout for corals. Grows acros well, and you mentioned lps and zoas. Sbreeflights.com

My budget is not that tight. Lol.

I can do 4 AI Primes. They are good for 18x18 each but I was hoping to go hybrid since I’ve heard so much good about them.