Need additional light; not sure which

Weboh · 07/01/2018, 01:10 PM

I've come to the conclusion that I need an additional light for my tank. None of coral is thriving. They all survive and stay the same size, but that's it. My 30 gallon tank is about 3 feet across so I guess that's too much area for one AI Prime to cover. But even the stuff directly under the Prime (a seritopora frag and a BTA) aren't doing very well either, so I'm not sure if another AI Prime will help.

I've heard LED lights by themselves don't always give good results, so I'm thinking about adding a T5. I'm not sure how I'd make it work with the Prime though, and I'd rather not make the money I spent it be a waste. I have seen beautiful tanks with only LEDs, though. But they do always have more than one light unless they're a cube. Would another AI Prime help?

Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks.

mcgyvr · 07/01/2018, 01:13 PM

IMO.... Light is likely not your problem if the corals directly under it are not doing well either..

If you want help include your parameters and give more detailed information, pictures, timelines, etc...
Corals grow slow.. Corals need light and nutrients and stable conditions..

Weboh · 07/01/2018, 01:34 PM

I'll clarify. My seritopora is doing well on the parts the light hits, but it's shadowed on one side. So since one side of it is dead, it's not growing well. The BTA really has to stretch to get the light and only gets it on one part which I think is doing the same thing to it.

I had some zoas directly under it and they grew like crazy. When I moved the seritpora there and moved them to the side of my tank they stopped growing and are now all stretching toward the light.

I've been keeping track of my parameters and get nothing out of the ordinary. I'm pretty sure there's enough nutrients for the coral (there sure seems to be enough for the algae...). I do feed my corals reef chili as well.

mcgyvr · 07/01/2018, 01:36 PM

Get one more Prime?
T5 retrofit kit/sunblaster?

Valentini89 · 07/01/2018, 04:33 PM

Go for a photon v2 and be done, save that AI prime for a frag tank. I'm very happy with my photon v2, very powerful light.

jorda9095 · 07/02/2018, 02:49 AM

one prime was never enough for full coverage of a 3ft tank. at a minimum you can get away with one hydra 26. i would be afraid of the sides being shady though. two primes should work to help spread out the light more evenly. however, as others said, if the corals under the light aren't making it you have other problems

fishsuse29 · 07/03/2018, 08:09 AM

For a 3 foot tank I think you would need 3 primes or better yet 2 26s. I find my 52s can only cover 2x2 area.

For a 3 foot you might be better off looking at reefbreeders or a t5 setup

Weboh · 07/07/2018, 09:36 PM

Hmm... I don't want to buy two more lights at 350 a pop. I like that I'd only need to get one Reefbreeders light to do the same thing—and it costs the same as one AI 26. My only concern with getting a Photon 24 is it says 3 feet is the maximum tank size. If I get a bigger tank, will I still be able to use that? It looks like it mounts on the corners of the tank, which would mean no. Also, is the 24 more powerful than the 16? The picture showing PAR for each seems to show the 16 with a higher PAR.

Getting a Photon 24 would mean I wasted my money on the AI Prime though, since I'd have no use for it. I guess see if there was a local reefing group, or sell it here...

What does everyone else think about a Reefbreeders Photon? Have you had any issues with shadowing with it? Do you think I would need another light on my tank with it?

Weboh · 07/08/2018, 08:51 AM

Or what do you guys think about an Evergrow IT2060? Is that the same thing as a Photon V2? I think people have said it's pretty similar to the original Photon. I can get it for less than half the price of the Photon; if it would be almost as good as the V2 that lots of people are recommending, I'd get it.

JTL · 07/08/2018, 10:23 AM

I have the Photon v2+ 48" on my 48" tank and have been very pleased with it. Also you will not find a better company to work with imo. Very nice combination of lights and very adjustable.

Special K85 · 07/08/2018, 10:58 AM

I plan on getting the V2 for my 75 gal once i save up enough money. I think am going to go with the 32" one that as it is a little cheaper and will still cover all areas of my tank

Valentini89 · 07/08/2018, 02:14 PM

As I mentioned I have the photon 48" and have no shadowing. My tank is 48*24*30 and it lights it up perfectly.

07/01/2018, 01:10 PM	#1
Weboh Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 217	Need additional light; not sure which I've come to the conclusion that I need an additional light for my tank. None of coral is thriving. They all survive and stay the same size, but that's it. My 30 gallon tank is about 3 feet across so I guess that's too much area for one AI Prime to cover. But even the stuff directly under the Prime (a seritopora frag and a BTA) aren't doing very well either, so I'm not sure if another AI Prime will help. I've heard LED lights by themselves don't always give good results, so I'm thinking about adding a T5. I'm not sure how I'd make it work with the Prime though, and I'd rather not make the money I spent it be a waste. I have seen beautiful tanks with only LEDs, though. But they do always have more than one light unless they're a cube. Would another AI Prime help? Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks.

07/01/2018, 01:13 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	IMO.... Light is likely not your problem if the corals directly under it are not doing well either.. If you want help include your parameters and give more detailed information, pictures, timelines, etc... Corals grow slow.. Corals need light and nutrients and stable conditions.. __________________ Who me?

07/01/2018, 01:36 PM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Get one more Prime? T5 retrofit kit/sunblaster? __________________ Who me?

07/01/2018, 04:33 PM	#5
Valentini89 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Bay county, Fl Posts: 624	Go for a photon v2 and be done, save that AI prime for a frag tank. I'm very happy with my photon v2, very powerful light. __________________ I have 1 1/2 years experience in this hobby. Take my advice with that in mind. Current Tank Info: 26g bowfront QT tank, -- 150g tall = http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2671045

07/08/2018, 10:23 AM	#10
JTL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Venice Island, FL Posts: 2,532	I have the Photon v2+ 48" on my 48" tank and have been very pleased with it. Also you will not find a better company to work with imo. Very nice combination of lights and very adjustable. __________________ John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+.

07/01/2018, 01:34 PM	#3
Weboh Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 217	I'll clarify. My seritopora is doing well on the parts the light hits, but it's shadowed on one side. So since one side of it is dead, it's not growing well. The BTA really has to stretch to get the light and only gets it on one part which I think is doing the same thing to it. I had some zoas directly under it and they grew like crazy. When I moved the seritpora there and moved them to the side of my tank they stopped growing and are now all stretching toward the light. I've been keeping track of my parameters and get nothing out of the ordinary. I'm pretty sure there's enough nutrients for the coral (there sure seems to be enough for the algae...). I do feed my corals reef chili as well.

07/02/2018, 02:49 AM	#6
jorda9095 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 325	one prime was never enough for full coverage of a 3ft tank. at a minimum you can get away with one hydra 26. i would be afraid of the sides being shady though. two primes should work to help spread out the light more evenly. however, as others said, if the corals under the light aren't making it you have other problems

07/03/2018, 08:09 AM	#7
fishsuse29 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Boston Posts: 374	For a 3 foot tank I think you would need 3 primes or better yet 2 26s. I find my 52s can only cover 2x2 area. For a 3 foot you might be better off looking at reefbreeders or a t5 setup

07/07/2018, 09:36 PM	#8
Weboh Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 217	Hmm... I don't want to buy two more lights at 350 a pop. I like that I'd only need to get one Reefbreeders light to do the same thing—and it costs the same as one AI 26. My only concern with getting a Photon 24 is it says 3 feet is the maximum tank size. If I get a bigger tank, will I still be able to use that? It looks like it mounts on the corners of the tank, which would mean no. Also, is the 24 more powerful than the 16? The picture showing PAR for each seems to show the 16 with a higher PAR. Getting a Photon 24 would mean I wasted my money on the AI Prime though, since I'd have no use for it. I guess see if there was a local reefing group, or sell it here... What does everyone else think about a Reefbreeders Photon? Have you had any issues with shadowing with it? Do you think I would need another light on my tank with it?

07/08/2018, 08:51 AM	#9
Weboh Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 217	Or what do you guys think about an Evergrow IT2060? Is that the same thing as a Photon V2? I think people have said it's pretty similar to the original Photon. I can get it for less than half the price of the Photon; if it would be almost as good as the V2 that lots of people are recommending, I'd get it.

07/08/2018, 10:58 AM	#11
Special K85 Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 31	I plan on getting the V2 for my 75 gal once i save up enough money. I think am going to go with the 32" one that as it is a little cheaper and will still cover all areas of my tank

07/08/2018, 02:14 PM	#12
Valentini89 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Bay county, Fl Posts: 624	As I mentioned I have the photon 48" and have no shadowing. My tank is 482430 and it lights it up perfectly. __________________ I have 1 1/2 years experience in this hobby. Take my advice with that in mind. Current Tank Info: 26g bowfront QT tank, -- 150g tall = http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2671045