AI's for Christmas, Yaaay!

[Cris007]

So guys I recieved 2 AI sol blue units for Christmas. I have a 90 Bow front which it's dimensions r 48"L, 18"W (at center), 30" H. Should I use 2, 3 or 4 units on this tank what is better not really concern with $ but whats best. And how should I position them front to back or side to side and height?

 

[thirty6]

not expert, don't think you'd need 4 units though. Three probably cover entire tank

 

[petraio]

post some picture once installed! good luck !!

 

[piranhapat]

three

 

[Cris007]

If I do 3. What would be the best way to position them?
(1) - | -
(2) - - -
(3) | | |

 

[Brando457]

2 will be fine

 

[kenconnect]

Kool score and congrats.. Would say 3

 

[tangmaniac]

2 will be fine

+1

 

[kenconnect]

if i do 3. What would be the best way to position them?
(1) - | -
(2) - - -
(3) | | |

imo #2

 

[OGGISPORTS]

imo #2

+1

 

[Cris007]

Thanks guys for your replies. I think I am leaning towards 3 units. My concern with 2 is that I think I would have to run them at a higher %. Then creating a strong spot light affect that would probably bleach some corals opposed to 3 units at a lower % to get a even spread.

 

[Semperaqua]

Right over my tank. Seriously tho,congrats can you report back on how they work? I really want these for my 265. These halides are killin' me!

 

[Cris007]

Right over my tank. Seriously tho,congrats can you report back on how they work? I really want these for my 265. These halides are killin' me!

I will give an update as soon as I install them. I am supposedly upgrading from 2x 150wMH. It will be a couple of weeks untill I get these installed . I am getting brackets made from a fellow member and buying a third unit.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Nice present! Good luck with them!

 

[Gwiz3005]

I think 2 is fine

 

[Cris007]

Nice present! Good luck with them!

Thanx Chief.
Just worried about the light acclimation heard a few horror stories.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Thanx Chief.
Just worried about the light acclimation heard a few horror stories.

Start the intensity low then move it up. 35% to start and post some pics LOL!

 

[howze01]

The tank has a center brace doesn't it? If you use 3 the one over the brace will cast a pretty dark shadow. Unless you're planning to offset them and have an SPS side and an LPS/softie side. On a 4' tank I would do 2 if there were only LPS or softies in it. If you are going more of an SPS tank, I would do 4.

 

[Cris007]

Yes it has a center brace about 2" wide. I am planning to put 3 units about 8-10" high mounted side to side. The tank is mixed reef. Would it be that big of a shadow?

 

[howze01]

I was recently talking to Justin @ AI about my 2 units on my 50g tank. It's 36x18. I was wondering if it would be good to add 70? optics for the center rows for better spread in the middle. He said that it would cast a pretty good shadow from the brace and I'd be better off staying with the 40? optics. I would imagine one over the center brace would make pretty dark shadows under the brace but I'm not 100% sure. You can always ask at the AI website, there's a section for questions like this. They answered my questions quickly and were awesome when I sent one of my units in to be fixed.