Reef Upgrade

[Newcommer101]

Upgrading from a rs max nano 20(pre reef led edition) to a wb 50.3aio, my 2 main questions

I currently have 1 ai prime 16, should I just get 1 more prime 16 evenly spaced or 2 kessil a80s(on non wifi timer) over the wb 50 with prime in middle and kessils on each side.
I'm not in a position where a hang mount is possible, but am also open to other ideas trying to keep the light budget sub 300

Second question, ive ran sand since day one, I saw a couple videos of "ReBorn" a calcium media being used as a "substrate".
Ive seen roughly on average online getting the 8.8lb bag for about $50. I'm curious as to how many of these it would take to get a solid coverage not crazy deep. I'm also not entirely sure how I'd feel being 2-300 deep for "substrate" display is roughly 30lx14w

 

[TX_REEF]

Upgrading from a rs max nano 20(pre reef led edition) to a wb 50.3aio, my 2 main questions

I currently have 1 ai prime 16, should I just get 1 more prime 16 evenly spaced or 2 kessil a80s(on non wifi timer) over the wb 50 with prime in middle and kessils on each side.
I'm not in a position where a hang mount is possible, but am also open to other ideas trying to keep the light budget sub 300

Second question, ive ran sand since day one, I saw a couple videos of "ReBorn" a calcium media being used as a "substrate".
Ive seen roughly on average online getting the 8.8lb bag for about $50. I'm curious as to how many of these it would take to get a solid coverage not crazy deep. I'm also not entirely sure how I'd feel being 2-300 deep for "substrate" display is roughly 30lx14w

Adding an additional AI prime will be simplest. Kessil a80s are really more for coverage and don't provide much in the way of PAR at any depth. I have a H80 for my fuge and love it for that purpose, but wouldn't use an 80 series kessil as a primary light source for a display other than a small nano. You'd want to go with 180s or 360s, or a single AP9x if kessil if your desire. You'll also have an easier time syncinc and controlling 2 of the same fixture rather than 2 different brands.

I have no opinion on the calcium media substrate. I use caribsea special grade and TBS live sand in my display and run my frag tank bare bottom.

Good luck with the new system, let me know if there's anything else I can do to help!

 

[Newcommer101]

No worries I was considering the 2 kessil cuz even with some of the prime presets (saxby) and even some of fb pennywise setups on the red sea max nano just arnt blue enough, and I know kessil os good at blue lol I figured another prime was prob the easier choice.