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

[Fish_Sticks]

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.

Fair enough

 

[nereefpat]

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

4 hydras is a little out of the budget.

My concern is the same as yours here.

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?

A single row of the LEDs will cover about 18" width on this 36" wide tank. T5s are great for coverage, but I bed that it will really drop off on the front and back edges of the tank. I would bet that the Aquatic Life people don't recommend a single fixture for a 3x3 footprint. You could ask them, I suppose.

 

[oreo54]

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.

OK way outside the box here.
Flip the 4 ai primes..
This vid will show the assembly and instead of looking down look up
Now you have central square w/ the 4 brackets.
Like a chandelier.
Easy enough to rig to something..
Balancing may be a bit tricky.

 

[CoralLovers]

I wouldnt even go with Ai there service is garbage and those ai primes burn out in less then 6 months for alot of people my 26hds burned out id stay away and go for some higher quality lights to be honest

 

[oreo54]

Yea they have a tendency to brown lenses with the "UV" diodes.
But anyways and for fun..

 

[Sparky27]

My concern is the same as yours

A single row of the LEDs will cover about 18" width on this 36" wide tank. T5s are great for coverage, but I bed that it will really drop off on the front and back edges of the tank. I would bet that the Aquatic Life people don't recommend a single fixture for a 3x3 footprint. You could ask them, I suppose.

Yeah I’m thinking 2 rows of two if I do Primes. Think of a 40 breeder. What would you recommend to someone with a 40 breeder. Then double it. The reason I even considered the primes is because BRS did a really nice video on them in different size tanks.

 

[nereefpat]

Yeah I’m thinking 2 rows of two if I do Primes. Think of a 40 breeder. What would you recommend to someone with a 40 breeder. Then double it.

I agree, that's a reasonable way to look at it. I also think that 4 Primes would be an okay place to start. And, if needed, you could add another pair later. To use your 40 breeder analogy, and scaling it up, 3 Primes on a 40 breeder would not be overkill.

Maybe it goes without saying, but "buyer beware" when it comes to BRS videos. They do a pretty good job sometimes, but they also like to sell you AI Primes.

 

[Sparky27]

I agree, that's a reasonable way to look at it. I also think that 4 Primes would be an okay place to start. And, if needed, you could add another pair later. To use your 40 breeder analogy, and scaling it up, 3 Primes on a 40 breeder would not be overkill.

Maybe it goes without saying, but "buyer beware" when it comes to BRS videos. They do a pretty good job sometimes, but they also like to sell you AI Primes.

Thank you my friend. I think the way you put it is I think the smartest way to go. Due to their modularity I’ll start with the 4 and if I need more I can go two rows of 3 across by adding another pair down the road.

Also true BRS is in business to make money but of all reef related retailers I’ve had nothing but the best in customer service from them. I would consider them to be the most honest and trustworthy of the lot.

little do they know that whatever option I were to choose for lighting it would be most assuredly purchased from them.

 

[tkd]

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

I don't see why you could not bolt to the HMS rail. May take take a little DIY.

 

[Sparky27]

And here it is!

 

[Chad3407]

And here it is!

I'm in the same boat with the same tank. I'm currently running 8 t5s and it's ok but not what I want in the end. Do you have any pics of how the mounts attach to the tank? Im curious how sturdy it is.

 

[Sparky27]

I'm in the same boat with the same tank. I'm currently running 8 t5s and it's ok but not what I want in the end. Do you have any pics of how the mounts attach to the tank? Im curious how sturdy it is.

I can post some closeups when I get back home. It is very sturdy.


Post in thread 'Prime 16 HD's with HMS Hanging Kit'
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/prime-16-hds-with-hms-hanging-kit.806282/post-8695615

 

[Sparky27]

I'm in the same boat with the same tank. I'm currently running 8 t5s and it's ok but not what I want in the end. Do you have any pics of how the mounts attach to the tank? Im curious how sturdy it is.

Here are some closeups the mounting system is very sturdy there is absolutely no wobble or give in any of it.

 

[Chad3407]

Here are some closeups the mounting system is very sturdy there is absolutely no wobble or give in any of it.

Thank you. And you don't see any chance the legs could kit out away from the glass? I'll be honest I'm kinda nervous about the lights falling.

 

[Sparky27]

Thank you. And you don't see any chance the legs could kit out away from the glass? I'll be honest I'm kinda nervous about the lights falling.

The brackets at the top corners have the legs 100% locked at a right angle. They cannot move or spread or open up at all.

 

[Chad3407]

The brackets at the top corners have the legs 100% locked at a right angle. They cannot move or spread or open up at all.

Thank you. That reassuring. I’m looking to run 2 rails like you are but mount 2-24” ati fixtures from them. Fingers crossed.

 

[bdmach1]

I just purchased this tank and am trying to figure out what I am going to do. I own a 24" Hybrid, and 2 Kessil 360's. The goals for this tank are very similar, a mixed reef with lots of zoas and LPS. Will also have a 6-8" squamosa clam. Will the 2 Kessil's and the Hybrid be adequate for now?!?!?

 

[Sparky27]

I just purchased this tank and am trying to figure out what I am going to do. I own a 24" Hybrid, and 2 Kessil 360's. The goals for this tank are very similar, a mixed reef with lots of zoas and LPS. Will also have a 6-8" squamosa clam. Will the 2 Kessil's and the Hybrid be adequate for now?!?!?

I think the 36” hybrid would be better but if anything I’d get the longer end caps to make the hybrid cover more area front to back with the kessils in the middle.

 

[bdmach1]

I sold the Kessil 360's and the 24" hybrid. I'm gonna take a few and do a little research before I commit on lighting. I Love how yours looks with the primes BTW!

 

[Sparky27]

I sold the Kessil 360's and the 24" hybrid. I'm gonna take a few and do a little research before I commit on lighting. I Love how yours looks with the primes BTW!

Thanks I still haven’t gotten my hands on a par meter rental yet to test par. Looking forward to see where I am at with lighting. I love and hate these tank dimensions!