Best Light to upgrade?

[MTF7]

Hello Everyone! I have a beautiful standard 15G Mixed reef ( I need to upload a few pictures! but I would like to upgrade my light because I feel it is best for my corals. I am However going through college so the less I spend the better.

Right now I have a Kessil A80 Tuna Blue (15w). I love it It just is not enough for what my corals need. This was my first kessil and I do love the Kessil shine.

So I have 3 reasonable options

1. Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue (40W) $239 Bonus Kessil shine

2. AI prime HD ( 45W-55W*) $225. BIG BONUS app to control it with wifi.
**** (on BRS they list it at 45w on AI's site they say 55W)

3. AI Hydra 26 ( 90W-135) $349. again I can control it with an app
***** ( BRS - 90W. AI - 135W)

So these are the lights I have been looking to upgrade Which do you guys think suits a 15G better? BRS told me the Hydra 26.


just a short info about what is in my tank.

I have mostly LPS ( Torch, Hammer, Frogspawn)

SPS I have three montipora one birdsnest and one Staghorn.

I have a mushroom, zoa's, GSP, And too much Xenia.
Lastly I have two anemone's (It split) and a Clam.

Now before anyone starts to give me a hard time about a 15G and having all of that in there I ask you to kindly just ask for me to upload proof that it is going well.

[Gweeds]

Would live to see pics!

Imo a hydra 26 would be too much for that size tank... there's a reason BRS have told you to go for the 26... look at the price.

Out of the 3 you list, is go with the AI prime... cracking little light, I don't have one myself but a couple of friends do on their nanos and the shimmer and growth is awesome. If you upgrade the tank in the future, you can always add more primes.

Personally I'm about to order a pair of evergrow it5012 units... so obviously I'm going to suggest you go for the smaller it5040 or Reefbreeders photon v2 16"... same lights.

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[Bronx19]

Advantage of the Hydra is the dual pucks.

Its a small tank, I'd be going for the cheapest option.

[ssgss gogeta]

What are the dimensions of your 15g man? That could change some things. Is it a long nano or a cube?


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[ssgss gogeta]

I have a 15g cube AIO, which I am using as a coral propagation tank of sorts while I wait for me big build to come to fruition. ATM I just threw one of those 165w Chinese full spectrums on there and it's surprisingly doing really well. I have a bunch of acro's, a stylo, a clam and other lps and softies, zoa's. While surprisingly the Chinese led is doing amazing things for its price. I will be upgrading to an AI prime and it will be plenty no need to go to a hydra 26. But if your tank is a long 15g than a 26 might be the better option


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[MTF7]

My tanks is a standard 15 gallon so 24x13x13

[Cheapreef]

With that length I would go with the Hydra 26, out of your listed options.

[ssgss gogeta]

Prime won't quiet cover the 24. It may do fine depending how you do your aquascape but to really light the tank it won't be enough. Hydra 26 would be my bet


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[ajoe]

AI PRIME HD is plenty of light for this tank. Raise it a good 10-12 inches above the water line and you won't be disappointed. Terrific light .

[MTF7]

I do have my aquascape setup pretty well SPS right under the light, montis after the SPS LSP after and then the softies, clam is right under too and my anemones go where they darn well please