2 Prime HD LED Modules for 90 Gallon Tank

BaleKlocoon · 03/15/2018, 08:05 AM

Will 2 of these be enough for my 90 gallon tank? (48" X 25" tank surface area). I'm a noob so I'm not exactly sure what coral I will be growing, probably nothing that is too difficult to keep alive. If 2 of these will not be enough, any other advice for lighting? I'd like to be under $400 on lighting. Also I'd like lighting that can be programmed with wifi. Thanks for your help!

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/prime...hoCWKwQAvD_BwE

RobZilla04 · 03/15/2018, 08:15 AM

Doubtful since the recommended max coverage area is 18" x 18". You'll want to shoot for a fixture that covers 24" x 24" and get a pair.

What price range are you trying to stick with?

BaleKlocoon · 03/15/2018, 08:59 AM

Trying to stay under $400.

RobZilla04 · 03/15/2018, 09:28 AM

Unless you find a used brand name fixture your price range would be more geared toward "black box" LEDs. These can be found from $100 on up to a few hundred each. The differ with minimal options such as w/ or w/o timers & dimming options. Many reefers use these and are successful in keeping all types of coral, myself included.

The Lighting and Equipment section has a lot of reviews, recommendations, and information.

Among the popular black box fixtures are: Mars Aqua & Viparspectra.

BaleKlocoon · 03/15/2018, 10:37 AM

Thank you. That is another route I was considering, getting 2x165 watt black box LED's.

If I'm willing to spend a little extra, how much better would the kessil 700 (185 watts) be vs 2x165 black box lights? The kessil would have less total watts, but maybe better quality light? Worth spending the extra for less watts or no?

RobZilla04 · 03/15/2018, 11:09 AM

Better is always a relative term. Specs on the 700 have 48" coverage when mounted 18" above the water surface. If you can achieve that height, then this fixture will give you a lot more control over the spectrum along with WiFi control. The program features (cloudy, storm, lunar) are all visual for the user. They do nothing for the fish or coral. Spectrum control will.

If you can mount 7-10" above the water surface and contain aquascape to a similar limited length I don't see an issue with this fixture either.

You can check BRS YouTube and see which fixtures they have done PAR readings for. That'll give you some more research to help narrow the decision.

BaleKlocoon · 03/15/2018, 11:18 AM

So would the Kessil 700 not be any better for coral than 2 of these (link below)? It looks like a pair of these can also be controlled with wifi and would save me $500 bucks. Also more total watts. What would be the benefit of spending an extra $500 for the Kessil? I'm not really against spending extra for a good reason but I need to be able to justify it.

BaleKlocoon · 03/15/2018, 11:24 AM

Forgot link: https://www.walmart.com/ip/EVERGROW-...WIFI/390637076

aznflyfisherman · 03/15/2018, 02:14 PM

Why not go with two ai hydra26 hd and if you feel you need more light add a ai hydra52 hd...if a light dies you still have one to support your system for short term...

rjjr1963 · 03/15/2018, 03:27 PM

2 primes are need even close to being enough for coral.

RobZilla04 · 03/15/2018, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aznflyfisherman

Why not go with two ai hydra26 hd and if you feel you need more light add a ai hydra52 hd...if a light dies you still have one to support your system for short term...

His budget of <$400.

RobZilla04 · 03/15/2018, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaleKlocoon

So would the Kessil 700 not be any better for coral than 2 of these (link below)? It looks like a pair of these can also be controlled with wifi and would save me $500 bucks. Also more total watts. What would be the benefit of spending an extra $500 for the Kessil? I'm not really against spending extra for a good reason but I need to be able to justify it.

Evergrow, viparspectra, Mars aqua are all pretty much the same as I mentioned in a reply above.

IMO you would be best with a pair of those if cost is a driving factor. The black boxes are Hondas and the Kessil are Ferraris. Both illl get the job done and you'll be happy.

I have two viparspectra and have no plans of changing my led's.

rjjr1963 · 03/15/2018, 03:52 PM

I had good luck with Orbit Marine on a 40 breeder. Remote, modes and two channels. Price is right.

BaleKlocoon · 03/15/2018, 05:10 PM

I'm really confused and don't understand the Ferrari and Honda analogy. A Ferrari cost more and has more horsepower. In this case the more expensive options (Hydra 26, kessil) have less power than 2x165 watt evergrow. The evergrow also is programmable with wifi. I can go over the $400 budget if I understand why but I don't understand.

Volcmreefer · 03/15/2018, 06:22 PM

Try SB Reef Lights. Really nice lights at an affordable price.

RobZilla04 · 03/15/2018, 06:22 PM

Forget the analogy. Think about it this way, Coral don't care about the brand lights nor the features. Spectrum, intensity, and flow are most important. This varies from species to species of course. Some folks (experts) like to be able to control every aspect of lighting, particularly the spectrum. Basic reefers won't care to get into that, in fact it will take years to get the basics of water parameters, dosing, and maintenance down first.

Bottom line, stick to your budget and get a pair of Evergrow or Viparspectra with timer control and move on.

BaleKlocoon · 03/16/2018, 07:01 AM

What about this?
https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/photon-48-v2/

I like the sleeker look of this vs 2 black box 165 watt, and it comes with mounting legs which will save me some time and creativity in making it look acceptable. My only concern is, is it powerful enough for a standard 48" 90 gallon tank? The photon-48 V2 is 220 watts vs 2x165 = 330 watts.

RobZilla04 · 03/16/2018, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaleKlocoon

What about this?
https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/photon-48-v2/

I like the sleeker look of this vs 2 black box 165 watt, and it comes with mounting legs which will save me some time and creativity in making it look acceptable. My only concern is, is it powerful enough for a standard 48" 90 gallon tank? The photon-48 V2 is 220 watts vs 2x165 = 330 watts.

Yes that is a fantastic fixture and worth the extra $$. Full control and plenty of power for all corals.

BaleKlocoon · 03/16/2018, 09:39 AM

Awesome. Thanks for your help!

RobZilla04 · 03/16/2018, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaleKlocoon

Awesome. Thanks for your help!

YW

oldhead · 03/16/2018, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjjr1963

2 primes are need even close to being enough for coral.

I run 2 primes on a 30" deep 110 and my corals grow. Of course I don't keep sps but I also can't see spending $600 on a light and then run it at 30%.

03/15/2018, 08:05 AM	#1
BaleKlocoon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 125	2 Prime HD LED Modules for 90 Gallon Tank Will 2 of these be enough for my 90 gallon tank? (48" X 25" tank surface area). I'm a noob so I'm not exactly sure what coral I will be growing, probably nothing that is too difficult to keep alive. If 2 of these will not be enough, any other advice for lighting? I'd like to be under $400 on lighting. Also I'd like lighting that can be programmed with wifi. Thanks for your help! https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/prime...hoCWKwQAvD_BwE

03/15/2018, 08:15 AM	#2
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	Doubtful since the recommended max coverage area is 18" x 18". You'll want to shoot for a fixture that covers 24" x 24" and get a pair. What price range are you trying to stick with? __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

03/15/2018, 09:28 AM	#4
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	Unless you find a used brand name fixture your price range would be more geared toward "black box" LEDs. These can be found from $100 on up to a few hundred each. The differ with minimal options such as w/ or w/o timers & dimming options. Many reefers use these and are successful in keeping all types of coral, myself included. The Lighting and Equipment section has a lot of reviews, recommendations, and information. Among the popular black box fixtures are: Mars Aqua & Viparspectra. __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

03/15/2018, 11:09 AM	#6
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	Better is always a relative term. Specs on the 700 have 48" coverage when mounted 18" above the water surface. If you can achieve that height, then this fixture will give you a lot more control over the spectrum along with WiFi control. The program features (cloudy, storm, lunar) are all visual for the user. They do nothing for the fish or coral. Spectrum control will. If you can mount 7-10" above the water surface and contain aquascape to a similar limited length I don't see an issue with this fixture either. You can check BRS YouTube and see which fixtures they have done PAR readings for. That'll give you some more research to help narrow the decision. __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

03/15/2018, 03:27 PM	#10
rjjr1963 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Nebraska/Missouri Posts: 770	2 primes are need even close to being enough for coral. __________________ 72x24x16 115 gallon under construction Current Tank Info: 40 gallon reef

03/15/2018, 08:59 AM	#3
BaleKlocoon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 125	Trying to stay under $400.

03/15/2018, 10:37 AM	#5
BaleKlocoon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 125	Thank you. That is another route I was considering, getting 2x165 watt black box LED's. If I'm willing to spend a little extra, how much better would the kessil 700 (185 watts) be vs 2x165 black box lights? The kessil would have less total watts, but maybe better quality light? Worth spending the extra for less watts or no?

03/15/2018, 11:18 AM	#7
BaleKlocoon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 125	So would the Kessil 700 not be any better for coral than 2 of these (link below)? It looks like a pair of these can also be controlled with wifi and would save me $500 bucks. Also more total watts. What would be the benefit of spending an extra $500 for the Kessil? I'm not really against spending extra for a good reason but I need to be able to justify it.

03/15/2018, 11:24 AM	#8
BaleKlocoon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 125	Forgot link: https://www.walmart.com/ip/EVERGROW-...WIFI/390637076

03/15/2018, 02:14 PM	#9
aznflyfisherman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 957	Why not go with two ai hydra26 hd and if you feel you need more light add a ai hydra52 hd...if a light dies you still have one to support your system for short term...

03/15/2018, 03:52 PM	#13
rjjr1963 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Nebraska/Missouri Posts: 770	I had good luck with Orbit Marine on a 40 breeder. Remote, modes and two channels. Price is right. __________________ 72x24x16 115 gallon under construction Current Tank Info: 40 gallon reef

03/15/2018, 05:10 PM	#14
BaleKlocoon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 125	I'm really confused and don't understand the Ferrari and Honda analogy. A Ferrari cost more and has more horsepower. In this case the more expensive options (Hydra 26, kessil) have less power than 2x165 watt evergrow. The evergrow also is programmable with wifi. I can go over the $400 budget if I understand why but I don't understand.

03/15/2018, 06:22 PM	#15
Volcmreefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milton, FL Posts: 346	Try SB Reef Lights. Really nice lights at an affordable price.

03/16/2018, 07:01 AM	#17
BaleKlocoon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 125	What about this? https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/photon-48-v2/ I like the sleeker look of this vs 2 black box 165 watt, and it comes with mounting legs which will save me some time and creativity in making it look acceptable. My only concern is, is it powerful enough for a standard 48" 90 gallon tank? The photon-48 V2 is 220 watts vs 2x165 = 330 watts.

03/16/2018, 09:39 AM	#19
BaleKlocoon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 125	Awesome. Thanks for your help!