Ai prime on frag tank

dk638 · 06/28/2015, 12:17 PM

Wondering if anyone is using this light on a frag tank. My tank is a 20long and was thinking of trying one out, I like the controllability and the price. Will have Sps in it so I'm concerned it might not have enough punch for them. Especially since I'm running an 8 bulb ati fixture on the dt. Also I'm worried going from t5 in dt to led in frag tank may lead to color issues. Any experienced advice appreciated. Thanks

McGee10 · 06/28/2015, 04:22 PM

Don't have one, but one should be plenty I would think don't they say it will cover 30"x30"

oldbones · 06/28/2015, 04:37 PM

I own (and love) 3 Primes. Not sure it's the right light for YOUR application.

First, it will not evenly cover a 20l. It will definitely light the sucker up, and it would probably look nice, but the K and PAR values would be considerable different in the middle and off to the sides. I would say you would want two for more even coverage over a 20l.

The PAR values also likely won't be anywhere near that from an 8 bulb array. Also, would assume you'll want to be moving frags back and forth from this tank to your DT, so they would be going from LED to T5 and back again. This probably isn't ideal, acclimation would be an issue.

All that being said, heck, maybe it'll work fine!

dk638 · 06/28/2015, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldbones

I own (and love) 3 Primes. Not sure it's the right light for YOUR application.

First, it will not evenly cover a 20l. It will definitely light the sucker up, and it would probably look nice, but the K and PAR values would be considerable different in the middle and off to the sides. I would say you would want two for more even coverage over a 20l.

The PAR values also likely won't be anywhere near that from an 8 bulb array. Also, would assume you'll want to be moving frags back and forth from this tank to your DT, so they would be going from LED to T5 and back again. This probably isn't ideal, acclimation would be an issue.

All that being said, heck, maybe it'll work fine!

Nice post! Thanks
I'm not too concerned with the difference in par on the sides, I think in a frag tank it could be good. But will the center be enough to sustain color and encrust sps? Also yeah the acclimation does worry me, have to try and tweak the settings with a cheap Sps.

oldbones · 06/28/2015, 06:05 PM

I'm guessing in the center, yes. I'm no scientist, and I know the measured PAR by a meter may not be that high with the Primes, but I also know that every time I try to get one of mine above 30% somebody in my tank starts expelling zooanthellae and bleaching.

oldbones · 06/28/2015, 06:09 PM

I've also written a couple informative posts about things I've learned about the Primes that aren't in the book. Search my profile and you should find them.

dk638 · 06/28/2015, 06:55 PM

Yeah ai's par chart shows only 250 at 12inch depth of open air. Seems weak to me but I know it can be hard to get par readings with led so I'm a little confused. Thanks again

toky916 · 06/29/2015, 07:21 PM

Get the hydra 26 little more but extra puck and I'm sure you can find a used one for same price as a prime.

Mark426 · 06/29/2015, 08:31 PM

I use one on my coral quarantine tank. It works fine for the 2 to 3 weeks they are in there. For a longer term frag tank I would look at something else for a 20L. Maybe a Reefbreeders fixture, much greater coverage and higher PAR if you need it. People seem to have great success with this value priced led.

dk638 · 07/02/2015, 05:51 PM

Thinking of going with the prime and my 2x24w retrofit

06/28/2015, 12:17 PM	#1
dk638 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 140	Ai prime on frag tank Wondering if anyone is using this light on a frag tank. My tank is a 20long and was thinking of trying one out, I like the controllability and the price. Will have Sps in it so I'm concerned it might not have enough punch for them. Especially since I'm running an 8 bulb ati fixture on the dt. Also I'm worried going from t5 in dt to led in frag tank may lead to color issues. Any experienced advice appreciated. Thanks

06/28/2015, 04:22 PM	#2
McGee10 Ex FMAS board member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 580	Don't have one, but one should be plenty I would think don't they say it will cover 30"x30" __________________ When a child gives you a gift, even if it is a rock they just picked up, exude gratitude. It might the only thing they have to give, and they have chosen to give it to you. Dean Jackson Current Tank Info: 180 Gal DT, Trigger Systems Emerald 39 - sump, Apex, 2 x AI Hydra's+5 x Hydra 52's,Apex WAV, SRO 3000, MTC Pro Cal

06/28/2015, 04:37 PM	#3
oldbones Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 940	I own (and love) 3 Primes. Not sure it's the right light for YOUR application. First, it will not evenly cover a 20l. It will definitely light the sucker up, and it would probably look nice, but the K and PAR values would be considerable different in the middle and off to the sides. I would say you would want two for more even coverage over a 20l. The PAR values also likely won't be anywhere near that from an 8 bulb array. Also, would assume you'll want to be moving frags back and forth from this tank to your DT, so they would be going from LED to T5 and back again. This probably isn't ideal, acclimation would be an issue. All that being said, heck, maybe it'll work fine!

06/28/2015, 06:05 PM	#5
oldbones Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 940	I'm guessing in the center, yes. I'm no scientist, and I know the measured PAR by a meter may not be that high with the Primes, but I also know that every time I try to get one of mine above 30% somebody in my tank starts expelling zooanthellae and bleaching.

06/28/2015, 06:09 PM	#6
oldbones Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 940	I've also written a couple informative posts about things I've learned about the Primes that aren't in the book. Search my profile and you should find them.

06/28/2015, 06:55 PM	#7
dk638 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 140	Yeah ai's par chart shows only 250 at 12inch depth of open air. Seems weak to me but I know it can be hard to get par readings with led so I'm a little confused. Thanks again

06/29/2015, 07:21 PM	#8
toky916 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,794	Get the hydra 26 little more but extra puck and I'm sure you can find a used one for same price as a prime.

06/29/2015, 08:31 PM	#9
Mark426 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,479	I use one on my coral quarantine tank. It works fine for the 2 to 3 weeks they are in there. For a longer term frag tank I would look at something else for a 20L. Maybe a Reefbreeders fixture, much greater coverage and higher PAR if you need it. People seem to have great success with this value priced led.

07/02/2015, 05:51 PM	#10
dk638 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 140	Thinking of going with the prime and my 2x24w retrofit