Mounting AI prime

[pheallox]

Anyone have any input/experience with mounting inside a canopy? I want to replace my t5 with a set of primes but don't want the light flare out or fish jumping so I need to keep the canopy.

 

[Tangerine Speedo]

You can go to the hardware store and get an L bracket and a thumb screw. (you will need to access the fan screen from time to time.) If you look at the prime hanging kit you can see what I mean, you just do not need to hanging part just the bracket. you can mimic that with stuff from the hardware store. If you want to get really fancy pants, you can go to West Marine and raid their stainless section.

 

[pheallox]

You can go to the hardware store and get an L bracket and a thumb screw. (you will need to access the fan screen from time to time.) If you look at the prime hanging kit you can see what I mean, you just do not need to hanging part just the bracket. you can mimic that with stuff from the hardware store. If you want to get really fancy pants, you can go to West Marine and raid their stainless section.

I was thinking about cloning the hanging kit, just wanted to see others so I can possible learn from their mistakes.

 

[ilyad]

If you havent gotten the Prime yet, depending on the size of your tank, you may be better with bar/strip verions of lights replacing T5's. Some brands that make them are Quanta Helix, Orphek, GHL, AI blades... And those usually come with mounting brackets already.

 

[pheallox]

If you havent gotten the Prime yet, depending on the size of your tank, you may be better with bar/strip verions of lights replacing T5's. Some brands that make them are Quanta Helix, Orphek, GHL, AI blades... And those usually come with mounting brackets already.

My budget is $750 and the tank is mixed reef with dimensions of 39Lx20Dx20T so I think two primes would do the job for my budget, but I am open to other options.
I just got back into the hobby about a year ago for LEDS are new to me.

 

[ilyad]

My budget is $750 and the tank is mixed reef with dimensions of 39Lx20Dx20T so I think two primes would do the job for my budget, but I am open to other options.
I just got back into the hobby about a year ago for LEDS are new to me.

I think with it being 39x20 footprint 2 primes will be very low light (I've had a prime before). You'd probably get away with a mostly softy with some LPS on top with those.

Personally, I would go with three 35 inch quanta-helix bars ($200 each) and you can mix and match them. If you like more white, get 2 white and 1 blue, or vice versa if you prefer the blue light. They can also be turned down now... and if you grow in a ton of corals or decide to go SPS, you can always add 1 more, or just go above your budget and get four right away. The ReeFi Pros you'd need 2 just because its 40 inches long (but you'd have them turned down half way). They would also put you closer to $1000, but those are fully controllable, you can set the schedule and whatnot.

Check out both and read about them.
Quanta Helix
ReeFi Pro

If you search around the forums, these are less known brands because they are a small operation (each is ran and operated by a single person that is highly invested into making reef lighting affordable). And you'll find both have crazy good warranty, customer service, and the lights punch waaay above their price.

 

[Tangerine Speedo]

I would also say two primes is low light. I have two on my IM 30L and I am about to add either a third or a AI 26 in the center because I have it already. Or I may just scrap the primes and go with two XR15s...

 

[ilyad]

I would also say two primes is low light. I have two on my IM 30L and I am about to add either a third or a AI 26 in the center because I have it already. Or I may just scrap the primes and go with two XR15s...

I would parrot my earlier comments... if you're going xr15s, look at the reefi for the same price

 

[Tangerine Speedo]

I would parrot my earlier comments... if you're going xr15s, look at the reefi for the same price

I agree, If you were to buy new. But too much good used equipment out there for cheap.