2 AI Prime's or Hydra 26?

bigloggerhead · 04/14/2016, 05:55 PM

Hey guys, I have a 58 gallon with softies, LPS, and SPS. I'm looking to upgrade my lighting. I saw the new Prime units today at my LFS and was impressed. I'm wondering if I should get 2 of these units and separate them 6-10" or should I look into the Hydra 26. I'm wanting to avoid any shaded areas. Help please!

GimpyFin · 04/14/2016, 06:19 PM

I would probably do 2 of the primes instead of a 26. You'll get more even coverage with them spread out a bit.

scott11 · 04/14/2016, 08:51 PM

The 26 has more punch, but separate units will cover better. If you are ok with just SPS higher under the lamps, the prime may be enough.

I know it would not be enough for me, and I suggest the 26, and add a second one later.

bigloggerhead · 04/14/2016, 09:53 PM

Most of my SPS are higher up in the tank. I thought also about doing some T5's along with 2 of the Prime's. I know there's been some discussion about color loss under LED's.

Flagg37 · 04/14/2016, 10:01 PM

Just get 2 hydras. Problem solved.

Hentz · 04/15/2016, 12:43 AM

Running two Hydra 26 HD's over my 56 gallon tank. Such incredible lights. Great bank for your buck and will grow anything. These will be your absolute best bet to reduce shadowing since you'd have 4 pucks total rather than two.

My SPS are doing so great under 2 26's. And my tank is 36" wide.

bigloggerhead · 04/15/2016, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hentz

Running two Hydra 26 HD's over my 56 gallon tank. Such incredible lights. Great bank for your buck and will grow anything. These will be your absolute best bet to reduce shadowing since you'd have 4 pucks total rather than two.

My SPS are doing so great under 2 26's. And my tank is 36" wide.

That's kind of what I was thinking. I was hoping to get away with 2 Prime's but I figured I may need two Hydra 26's. I was trying to be cheap. LOL.

bigloggerhead · 04/15/2016, 03:36 PM

So I contacted AI and they said that 2 Prime's would be good for my tank. I think I may try that and if I have to, add another one later.

Hentz · 04/15/2016, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigloggerhead

That's kind of what I was thinking. I was hoping to get away with 2 Prime's but I figured I may need two Hydra 26's. I was trying to be cheap. LOL.

Usually lighting is a part where you want to spend the pretty penny, at least stretch your budget as far as you can. Primes will be sufficient I'm sure. But Hydra 26's would be lights you can use whenever for whatever on any tank where if you upgraded, Prime's might be a bit on the weaker side.

I overkill everything possible in my budget just for upgrade reasons.
I'm running two MP40's on a 36" tank! Wayyyyy over kill, but if I ever upgrade I've got my lighting AND my flow!

Plus if corals ever get too big, I'll have enough power left to up the flow/lighting without having to spend extra to do so.

04/14/2016, 05:55 PM	#1
bigloggerhead Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Monroe, LA Posts: 343	2 AI Prime's or Hydra 26? Hey guys, I have a 58 gallon with softies, LPS, and SPS. I'm looking to upgrade my lighting. I saw the new Prime units today at my LFS and was impressed. I'm wondering if I should get 2 of these units and separate them 6-10" or should I look into the Hydra 26. I'm wanting to avoid any shaded areas. Help please!

04/15/2016, 12:43 AM	#6
Hentz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 2,016	Running two Hydra 26 HD's over my 56 gallon tank. Such incredible lights. Great bank for your buck and will grow anything. These will be your absolute best bet to reduce shadowing since you'd have 4 pucks total rather than two. My SPS are doing so great under 2 26's. And my tank is 36" wide. __________________ A Reef in the Desert: 120 Gallon (4x2x2) - MP40 x2 - Gyre 130 - ATI Sunpower - Simplicity Pump/Skimmer - Controlled by Apex

04/14/2016, 06:19 PM	#2
GimpyFin Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,032	I would probably do 2 of the primes instead of a 26. You'll get more even coverage with them spread out a bit.

04/14/2016, 08:51 PM	#3
scott11 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Scottsdale AZ Posts: 1,960	The 26 has more punch, but separate units will cover better. If you are ok with just SPS higher under the lamps, the prime may be enough. I know it would not be enough for me, and I suggest the 26, and add a second one later.

04/14/2016, 09:53 PM	#4
bigloggerhead Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Monroe, LA Posts: 343	Most of my SPS are higher up in the tank. I thought also about doing some T5's along with 2 of the Prime's. I know there's been some discussion about color loss under LED's.

04/14/2016, 10:01 PM	#5
Flagg37 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 119	Just get 2 hydras. Problem solved.

04/15/2016, 03:36 PM	#8
bigloggerhead Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Monroe, LA Posts: 343	So I contacted AI and they said that 2 Prime's would be good for my tank. I think I may try that and if I have to, add another one later.