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AI questions, I am considering wether to get them or not.

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Ray, Jul 8, 2012.

  1. Ray

    Ray

    243
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    After looking into a 125, I realize that I may want to consider AI's.  So now this brings up some questions.
    How many AI's do I need, will 3 do?
    Are they worth the money? 
    How far off the water do they need mounted?
    Does anyone not like them, and why?
    Thanks
    Ray
     
  2. MXC207 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    634
    Cedar Rapids
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    3 would be fine for your 125. Generally you want one for every 2 ft, so 6 ft tank you'll want 3. I think they're very worth the money, if you think about how much you'll spend on bulbs, t5's or hqi's, the units will pay for themselves within a few years. I've found from adjusting mine, 12-14" gave me a good spread on my 75. I'm upgrading to a 180, along with adding 2 40 breeders for frag tanks, and a quarantine. I'll have AIs over all tanks, 6 units total. I absolutely love them.
     
  3. mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I like mine. I am satisfied with the growth although I do feel 1 or 2 t5 bulbs would make a nice touch for my viewing pleasure.
     
  4. blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0
    It does. I added t5 bulbs to mine this week and the results are pretty noticeable in certain corals. 
     
  5. mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    How many did you add? I was thinking 2 1 being a fiji pink bulb
     
  6. blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0
    Did you mean Fiji purple?
    I added a 4x80w tek fixture to mine LOL. I am currently running a true actinic, blue plus, coral plus, and purple plus.
    The purple plus and true actinic add the most to the mix I think.
     
  7. ninjazx777 Experienced Reefkeeper

    Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +7 / 1 / -0
    I don't think 3 would cut it unless you mount them high like 12"+ I would go four especially if you plan on keeping sps
     
  8. MXC207 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    634
    Cedar Rapids
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    I think 4 would be overkill. 125 is same blueprint as a 75 but 2 ft longer. I have 2 over my 75 and keep everything including a lot of sps, all very happy.
     
  9. Waverz

    Waverz Expert Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +5 / 0 / -0
    For what it's worth I tried hanging a single SOL over my cube which is 24"x24" it looked hideous! It had a really fake shimmer look and tons of shadows. After adding a second one it looked comparable to the 250 watt MH I previously had hanging above the tank.

    I would put ATLEAST 4 on a 125 if your wanting to do a lot of SPS.
     
  10. jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

    Toledo Iowa
    Ratings:
    +40 / 1 / -0
    I agree with the 4. Im not happy with them yet. Ive had them 4 months and my mh did so much better. I wished I would have stuck with mh.
     
  11. jbmartelle

    jbmartelle Inactive User

    32
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    RayI have three over my 200g corner pentagon.  They're mounted 12" above the water.  At peak they run 80% Royal, 65% White, and 60% Blue.  They easily grow corals over an area over 50" long by 24" wide.  My tank is bigger around than this, but it was my intention not to light the sand in the front of the tank or the corner overflow that's 42" from the front.I couldn't be happier with them at this point (been about 6 months).  Some of the SPS started to turn green when I first switched over...but now they're all getting their original color back and more.  The growth has been greater  than my old 6 bulb T5 setup. I run the stock lenses (70 degree lenses on the outsides and 40 degree on the insides).  They have no problem growing encrusting Montis on the sand even at 36" from the lamps.My photo period starts at 8am with a 4 hour ramp up, stays on high until 5pm, and then a 4 hour ramp down.  I immediately saw the electric bill drop $10 per month and it's nice knowing there are no bulbs to replace.  
    At worst, be prepared for some color shift in your corals.  Patience is the key.  IF they change, they will come back.  There are too many knee jerk reactions to reef keeping.  If you get them, wait it out and good things will happen. Jeff
     
  12. Ray

    Ray

    243
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I want to thank everyone for their input, it was helpful. I decided to go with 3 for now, I can always add a fourth if needed at a later date.
     

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