Two AI Prime HDs + 4 T5s for 90g mixed reef?

Reefpuck · 03/21/2018, 12:28 PM

Hey all. As title says...looking to see if this setup would be sufficient for mixed reef, with predominantly SPS on top half of tank. I understand 2 of these LED fixtures alone wouldn't work for a 90g mixed reef...but with 4 T5s supplementing I'm assuming it'd work.

I'm leaning towards AIs over the Kessil 360...as they're $150 cheaper each, dont require an additional module to control them, and I like how they can be adjusted.

Anyone have experience using these on larger tanks, with some supplemental lighting?

mattgumaer · 03/21/2018, 12:43 PM

I think you'd be fine. I run 4 t5s and three Radion Pros (gen 2) over a 180. The max I run my Radions is in the range of 25%. I consider my Radions to be a supplement to my T5s.

Matt

ajoe · 03/21/2018, 08:36 PM

Plenty of light as long as you include the T-5s. Without them it would be a bit of a stretch for 90 gal. Totally depends on what your plans are for livestock as always. You will love the AIs. Great product.

Reefpuck · 03/21/2018, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattgumaer

I think you'd be fine. I run 4 t5s and three Radion Pros (gen 2) over a 180. The max I run my Radions is in the range of 25%. I consider my Radions to be a supplement to my T5s.

Matt

Do you still get the shimmer effect from the Radions?

Reefpuck · 03/21/2018, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajoe

Plenty of light as long as you include the T-5s. Without them it would be a bit of a stretch for 90 gal. Totally depends on what your plans are for livestock as always. You will love the AIs. Great product.

Everything I've seen looks awesome about these fixtures. Do you run them on a larger tank as well?

ajoe · 03/21/2018, 09:15 PM

I have two on a smaller tank and everything is fine. I don't have any supplemental lighting like T-5s but for a tank your size it would be most beneficial. The spread on one HD I believe is around 18x18 so you can see why the T-5s are necessary or possibly a third HD if you can swing it.

Reefpuck · 03/22/2018, 02:24 PM

Ok appreciate the input. I thinkg I'm going to go with 2 T5s to start with the 2 AI Prime HDs...run some par numbers then add 2 more T5s if needed.

Anyone else who have a similar setup to what I'm looking at?

SDboatguy · 03/23/2018, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefpuck

Ok appreciate the input. I thinkg I'm going to go with 2 T5s to start with the 2 AI Prime HDs...run some par numbers then add 2 more T5s if needed.

Anyone else who have a similar setup to what I'm looking at?

I run hydra 26 HDs with T5. the par meter is definitely the way to go. With you T 5s being your primary source you should be fine depending on livestock. You may see a bit of a spotlight look with only 2 LED pucks but if your rock work is set up accordingly it might work nicely. FWIW - I have my hydras spaced out about 18" apart(center of each fixture) and there looks like three slightly brighter looking spots under each light,but not too much different than the rest of the tank. SPS are growing better in those spots

I'm running 2x C+and 2x B+ for T5

reeferdon · 03/23/2018, 05:23 PM

I have 2 Primes HD and 2 T5's B+ on my 36x20x20. Sps top of rocks and doing okay Thinking of adding another Prime HD. I think for your 90 gallon 3x AI Primes HD and T5's.

mattgumaer · 03/24/2018, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefpuck

Do you still get the shimmer effect from the Radions?

I do still get some shimmer though not as much. However, I likely the lower shimmer level.

Matt

reefinnewb · 03/26/2018, 09:26 AM

@Reeferdon, Do you have a picture of that setup, also, do you think two AI Primes would be enough without the T5s?

Bayareareefer18 · 03/26/2018, 04:47 PM

I was thinking of lighting my new build with primes but from all the reading I was doing I was figuring on needing 3 or 4 to light a 4' tank. Figure a couple hundred a piece for the primes plus whatever your t5 hybrid fixture costs plus bulbs you could almost just go with like a kessil ap700 if it were high enough

I ended up going with a less expensive option as this is my first try in the reefing world. I'm quite pleased with the lights so far but I have not started growing anything yet. Knowing the natural progression of this hobby I'm sure I'll upgrade in the future

maddmaxx · 03/26/2018, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefpuck

Hey all. As title says...looking to see if this setup would be sufficient for mixed reef, with predominantly SPS on top half of tank. I understand 2 of these LED fixtures alone wouldn't work for a 90g mixed reef...but with 4 T5s supplementing I'm assuming it'd work.

I'm leaning towards AIs over the Kessil 360...as they're $150 cheaper each, dont require an additional module to control them, and I like how they can be adjusted.

Anyone have experience using these on larger tanks, with some supplemental lighting?

that would be more then fine....$hit ive even seen that exact set up on a 120g. and that tank has some of the best acans ive ever seen in person...

DesertReefT4r · 03/26/2018, 08:29 PM

It will work well. The AI will be more of a supplement to the T5 not the other way around. So just keep that mind set when choosing T5 bulbs.

03/21/2018, 12:28 PM	#1
Reefpuck Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgetown, TX Posts: 1,122	Two AI Prime HDs + 4 T5s for 90g mixed reef? Hey all. As title says...looking to see if this setup would be sufficient for mixed reef, with predominantly SPS on top half of tank. I understand 2 of these LED fixtures alone wouldn't work for a 90g mixed reef...but with 4 T5s supplementing I'm assuming it'd work. I'm leaning towards AIs over the Kessil 360...as they're $150 cheaper each, dont require an additional module to control them, and I like how they can be adjusted. Anyone have experience using these on larger tanks, with some supplemental lighting? __________________ Josh Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef w/ 55g sump/fuge.

03/22/2018, 02:24 PM	#7
Reefpuck Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgetown, TX Posts: 1,122	Ok appreciate the input. I thinkg I'm going to go with 2 T5s to start with the 2 AI Prime HDs...run some par numbers then add 2 more T5s if needed. Anyone else who have a similar setup to what I'm looking at? __________________ Josh Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef w/ 55g sump/fuge.

03/26/2018, 08:29 PM	#14
DesertReefT4r Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Mesa Az Posts: 771	It will work well. The AI will be more of a supplement to the T5 not the other way around. So just keep that mind set when choosing T5 bulbs. __________________ Tank history 29g tropical ,55g cichlid tank, 20H softy reef, 29g mixed reef, 20H brackish goby & puffer tank, 55g mixed reef, 6g Nanocube softy lps reef, 40B sps reef, 75g sps reef, 75g sps reef in bu Current Tank Info: 75g sps reef build in the works.

03/21/2018, 12:43 PM	#2
mattgumaer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 561	I think you'd be fine. I run 4 t5s and three Radion Pros (gen 2) over a 180. The max I run my Radions is in the range of 25%. I consider my Radions to be a supplement to my T5s. Matt

03/21/2018, 08:36 PM	#3
ajoe Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 297	Plenty of light as long as you include the T-5s. Without them it would be a bit of a stretch for 90 gal. Totally depends on what your plans are for livestock as always. You will love the AIs. Great product.

03/21/2018, 09:15 PM	#6
ajoe Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 297	I have two on a smaller tank and everything is fine. I don't have any supplemental lighting like T-5s but for a tank your size it would be most beneficial. The spread on one HD I believe is around 18x18 so you can see why the T-5s are necessary or possibly a third HD if you can swing it.

03/23/2018, 05:23 PM	#9
reeferdon Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Lancaster Ca Posts: 48	I have 2 Primes HD and 2 T5's B+ on my 36x20x20. Sps top of rocks and doing okay Thinking of adding another Prime HD. I think for your 90 gallon 3x AI Primes HD and T5's.

03/26/2018, 09:26 AM	#11
reefinnewb Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Macungie, Pa Posts: 167	@Reeferdon, Do you have a picture of that setup, also, do you think two AI Primes would be enough without the T5s?

03/26/2018, 04:47 PM	#12
Bayareareefer18 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Bay Area California Posts: 28	I was thinking of lighting my new build with primes but from all the reading I was doing I was figuring on needing 3 or 4 to light a 4' tank. Figure a couple hundred a piece for the primes plus whatever your t5 hybrid fixture costs plus bulbs you could almost just go with like a kessil ap700 if it were high enough I ended up going with a less expensive option as this is my first try in the reefing world. I'm quite pleased with the lights so far but I have not started growing anything yet. Knowing the natural progression of this hobby I'm sure I'll upgrade in the future