Are two AI Primes enough for SPS in my tank?

[McFly09]

My tank is 32 long x 16 w x 14" deep. I'm trying to determine if I made the right light choice by running two AI prime HDs, 9" above the tank rim, 1/8" glass lid, total tank depth is 14". I have the primes set around 14k, max at 85% for around two hours. See attached screenshot of AI app.


I'm trying to grow simple SPS, mostly montipora. I had a birdsnest frag that started well but faded to white and eventually died. It had excellent polyp extension, lots of flow and was high in the tank. All my montipora seem to be doing fairly well.

I know there are many many factors to take into consideration about why a particular tank, or coral is successful.

Right now I'm just looking for advice about whether my tank needs more light and if success it possible with what I have.

If the LEDs that I have are a problem, I've considered getting an ATI 4x24 dimmable sunpower if T5s are the best route.

I'd rather make what I have work, perhaps add another Prime HD if necessary.

Filtration is an Aquaclear 70 w/In-tank media rack, small refugium in the filter, chemi-pure elite, Tunze 9004 in tank skimmer and two Tunze Nanostreams 4060 for flow. I dose with B-Ionic, 2.5 mL/day and 1mL Red Sea No3Po4X.

 

[Hentz]

You should be completely fine, especially with a 14" deep tank.

 

[vhuang168]

Are two AI Primes enough for SPS in my tank?

For full on sps? No. My tank is a 40b so 36/18/17 and I use a Kessil AP700. Sps dominant


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Hentz]

He wouldn't be fine with SPS all over the tank.
But it would work if it was near and under the light fixtures.

 

[McFly09]

Perhaps I need a 3rd AI Prime. In that case I probably should have bought a Hyrda 52 or a 4x24 T5.

I was really surprised the birdsnest frag didn't make it. It was directly under one of the AI Prime, only about 4" under water. It took about two months to completely wither away while all my montipora are growing and encrusting.

 

[Voodoojar]

I had a really hard time with SPS under those prime lights. I have a PAR meter and my issue would be you move the meter 3 inchs in one direction and PAR changes by 100-200. This lights are spot lights, directly under them you can have 400 PAR 5" below the surface and 5" to the right or left away you could have 100.

 

[Anthony357]

id maybe point them outwards a little bit, but i think that should be fine. Those are nice lights, i loved them

 

[McFly09]

I just noticed the BRS was having a sale on the ATI lights so I bit the bullet and bought a 4x24 dimmable fixture, 2 blue +, 2 Coral Plus.

Hopefully I'll see some good improvement and have an easier time with coral placement.