Steveo 12 Posted October 28 Share Posted October 28 Hey guys been around this hobby for the last 15 years or so. I’ve always been moving but now I am finally settled into my new house and we are able to finally set up a large tank. Unboxed and put the tank up yesterday now I am trying to figure out lighting. I currently have 2 ai prime hd. Should I add one more of those or put a hydra in the middle as long as they can all communicate. Or two hydras and no primes. Thanks for the help 1 Quote Link to comment
mitten_reef Posted October 29 Share Posted October 29 I currently have 2 hydra32HD on a 4ft tank. Coverage is ok for now, but definitely not as intense as what I’m used to. Will probably add two 4-ft led bars to boost the lighting when the tank gets more corals in it. Quote Link to comment
Staticmoves Posted October 29 Share Posted October 29 13 hours ago, Steveo 12 said: Hey guys been around this hobby for the last 15 years or so. I’ve always been moving but now I am finally settled into my new house and we are able to finally set up a large tank. Unboxed and put the tank up yesterday now I am trying to figure out lighting. I currently have 2 ai prime hd. Should I add one more of those or put a hydra in the middle as long as they can all communicate. Or two hydras and no primes. Thanks for the help What are your visions and stocking plan or ideas for the tank? - If SPS, what about a Hydra 64 to start, then you could add 2 AI blades if and when the need arises. The 350 G2+ is the tank I am considering for the upgrade down the road. Quote Link to comment
Steveo 12 Posted October 29 Author Share Posted October 29 It will be leaning towards sps but still will have a good amount of lps. I like the idea of the 64 just not sure the spread will be enough Quote Link to comment
Staticmoves Posted October 29 Share Posted October 29 32 minutes ago, Steveo 12 said: It will be leaning towards sps but still will have a good amount of lps. I like the idea of the 64 just not sure the spread will be enough depending on budgetary constraints, maybe 3 - 32s then. I was thinking the 64 with 2 blades for the coverage and a centralish SPS zone. 3 - 32s for more widespread SPS coverage, and if you step that up with 2 blades (budget may start hurting the back end (but maybe not) No budgetary constraints Radion gen 6 XR 30 pros or blues. Whatever you pick, it's going to look awesome...... exciting times. Quote Link to comment
Steveo 12 Posted October 29 Author Share Posted October 29 I think three 32s are going to be the move or two 64s for the cleaner less cluttered look Quote Link to comment
Staticmoves Posted October 29 Share Posted October 29 14 minutes ago, Steveo 12 said: two 64s for the cleaner less cluttered look that will cover your SPS needs...........................🙃 Quote Link to comment
Steveo 12 Posted October 29 Author Share Posted October 29 Sounds good someone agrees with it tanks setup just waiting on me to fill it with all the parts Quote Link to comment
coryscritch Posted October 30 Share Posted October 30 You could always go with two led bars/t5. And put them into a custom hood. That’s what I did. Just on a smaller scale Quote Link to comment
Steveo 12 Posted October 30 Author Share Posted October 30 Really staying away from t-5. I was done with those a long time ago. I love the simplicity of led 1 Quote Link to comment
Steveo 12 Posted November 3 Author Share Posted November 3 build is coming along nice. Excited for everything to be delivered this week 1 Quote Link to comment
Steveo 12 Posted November 4 Author Share Posted November 4 Went with three hydras 3 Quote Link to comment
Staticmoves Posted November 4 Share Posted November 4 14 hours ago, Steveo 12 said: Went with three hydras Very nice. what would your thoughts be on: 1. running those lights in line with the support arms. (giving better front to back coverage) 2. drawing the outer fixtures about 5-6" closer to middle fixture. (less light spillage as noted below) 3. lowering to about 10-12" from water surface, which is about 1.5" below rim. (less wasted photons, as they will reflect back off the glass into the tank as opposed to spill over edge.) 4. this is going to look great. I am actually considering selling one of my motorcycles to fund this exact setup. 1 Quote Link to comment
Steveo 12 Posted November 5 Author Share Posted November 5 Like I said up above this has been the exact system I’ve wanted for years but the moving did not allow it. The wife said I could go as big as I want but the 350 suited our needs perfectly. As far as the lighting I have not lowered them at all yet just installed them at the max height so I can keep working on the aquascape. I did turn them so the pucks were front to back but in my opinion I did not see any need to leave them like that. 3 hydra 32s in my opinion will be more than enough light power for this tank. I bet two 32s would be enough for light sps up high. Having 3 hydras I should not have any lack in power. I tried two 64s and I would have ran them at 30% power max. Atleast with three hydras it will end up being between 45-60% for power which for me I like a bit more intensity look with my lighting. It’s a good time of year to sell a motorcycle lol. You would get top dollar and fund the tank. Also ai was having 25 percent off in shops and there website so I went to my local shop and scooped them up for a great deal Quote Link to comment
Steveo 12 Posted November 15 Author Share Posted November 15 Equipment is all in and set up. Now it’s time to fill. Super excited for the weekend to be here. 2 Quote Link to comment
Staticmoves Posted November 15 Share Posted November 15 2 hours ago, Steveo 12 said: Equipment is all in and set up. Now it’s time to fill. Super excited for the weekend to be here. where is the video tour? 🙃 Quote Link to comment
Steveo 12 Posted November 16 Author Share Posted November 16 On 11/15/2024 at 9:54 AM, Staticmoves said: where is the video tour? 🙃 lol you will get one once everything is running and fine tuned lol. Making my water as we speak Quote Link to comment
Steveo 12 Posted November 16 Author Share Posted November 16 On 11/15/2024 at 9:54 AM, Staticmoves said: where is the video tour? 🙃 lol you will get one once everything is running and fine tuned lol. Making my water as we speak Quick video. Still have wire management to deal with IMG_1638.mov Quote Link to comment
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