AI Hydra Settings Thread

[rishu_pepper]

Great looking tank, wazzel. I seriously contemplated on the same tank/setup as you, I love a cube tank, but ultimately went with a 90g because I got a great deal on an established system. Maybe one day I'll build a cube when we move to a bigger place as a secondary DT.

Consider looking into a camera with customizable white balance so you can take colour-correct pictures. Even most low-end DSLRs or mirrorless cameras will have such functions.

 

[Wazzel]

Great looking tank, wazzel. I seriously contemplated on the same tank/setup as you, I love a cube tank, but ultimately went with a 90g because I got a great deal on an established system. Maybe one day I'll build a cube when we move to a bigger place as a secondary DT.

Consider looking into a camera with customizable white balance so you can take colour-correct pictures. Even most low-end DSLRs or mirrorless cameras will have such functions.

My camera has a white balance I just have not spent the time on it to get it correct. I just leave it on auto. Probably need to get a white or grey card so I can set it custom when shooting the tank. I shoot a Nikon D5100.

 

[rishu_pepper]

My camera has a white balance I just have not spent the time on it to get it correct. I just leave it on auto. Probably need to get a white or grey card so I can set it custom when shooting the tank. I shoot a Nikon D5100.

Yeah the D5100 is a good camera. IMO you can just meter off a plain white sheet of paper and it should be pretty close, just make sure the lighting is right when you do. White cards are expensive for what it is :lol:

In the future, I think a 200+g peninsula and a 60g cube would make a really killer setup in a nice home.

 

[major stare]

I agree, bump your settings up. With a 2' deep tank, maybe get the average up to 60% or so? I have 2 on my 75g, and run them considerably higher than that.

Cheers.

I have increased the settings to;
White - 40
Violet - 60
Red - 25
Green - 45
Blue - 85
Royal - 85
UV - 25

Acclimate over 8 weeks then see how everything is settling in.


I really wish Director could be used on a Windows RT tablet or Windows Phone

 

[DrBoxedWine]

Cheers.

I have increased the settings to;
White - 40
Violet - 60
Red - 25
Green - 45
Blue - 85
Royal - 85
UV - 25

Acclimate over 8 weeks then see how everything is settling in.


I really wish Director could be used on a Windows RT tablet or Windows Phone

Yeah give that a whirl, that's probably more in line with your tank. And yeah it's a bummer about only being ios compatible. I had an old ipod touch laying around so not a big deal for me, but they should really fix that.

 

[Wazzel]

Cheers.

I have increased the settings to;
White - 40
Violet - 60
Red - 25
Green - 45
Blue - 85
Royal - 85
UV - 25

Acclimate over 8 weeks then see how everything is settling in.


I really wish Director could be used on a Windows RT tablet or Windows Phone

That sounds like a good plan. About 56% power. You were down at 29% before

Send a request to AI. They do take customer request into consideration. I suspect if they get enough for a windows or android app they will make one.

 

[Wazzel]

Here is my power excel sheet. Not sure if it will help anyone, but it does give you a good idea at how much you are cutting your power.

I think it is helpful.

 

[major stare]

Send a request to AI. They do take customer request into consideration. I suspect if they get enough for a windows or android app they will make one.

AI are getting behind here in the UK. Most companies here who have an app cater for Windows, Android and Apple.
Sort it out AI, you are missing out!

 

[major stare]

I have been in discussions with AI and will be getting a Director after trialling the software via Windows IE.

 

[rishu_pepper]

I have been in discussions with AI and will be getting a Director after trialling the software via Windows IE.

Good to know!

Got some acans and torch over the weekend, they seem to like the Hydras too. I may have to adjust my aquascape slightly because I feel like the mushrooms are getting too much light (I see them extending their "stem" seemingly trying to move?), perhaps add some rocks to shadow them somewhat.

The one thing that I definitely see improvement on is my dinner-plate sized sebae anemone. Since changing from 150W MH, it has much better tentacle extension and movement and colours. Hopefully the clowns will think the same and start getting hosted.

I should probably dial down the lightning effect; while "cool" and interesting, it gets rather annoying when it happens during home time with the constant flashing. The cloud effects are great though.

Any other pointers for long-time users of the 52s?

 

[Wazzel]

Lighting and clouds really do not do anything useful, even tho they are kind of cool. I have both of them turned real low both in intensity and probability.

 

[dahos]

Send a request to AI. They do take customer request into consideration. I suspect if they get enough for a windows or android app they will make one.

People have been asking about the android app for months and continue to get the same response, "we are working on it and it should be out soon".

 

[dahos]

Lighting and clouds really do not do anything useful, even tho they are kind of cool. I have both of them turned real low both in intensity and probability.

I agree the lightning does nothing for the tank, just for us viewing it and our friends to say "ooohh, ahhh" when we show it off.

I like to think the clouds give the corals a break from the light intensity and provide a realism for the corals and fish you cant easily get with other lighting options. The clouds are overdone when using the geolocation weather feature though but I still use it hoping for some benefit over not having it on.

 

[gregrocks79]

Lighting and clouds really do not do anything useful, even tho they are kind of cool. I have both of them turned real low both in intensity and probability.

They mosh definitely do. My corals have swapped during lightning storms, I've noticed! And the clouds definitely give corals a "break" it's cool for us too lol

 

[sepulvd]

Any ideas what settings I should start off with a hydra 52 on a 30x12x12 tank
It's mount around 12 inches above the tank

 

[Brownflem]

I question the effect if clouds and lightning. Haven't seen any real proof.

 

[newe70]

Any ideas what settings I should start off with a hydra 52 on a 30x12x12 tank
It's mount around 12 inches above the tank

I have my new two Hydra 52s and a Hydra at 9" awl.

 

[rishu_pepper]

I have my new two Hydra 52s and a Hydra at 9" awl.

Exactly the same.

As for spectrum intensities, check previous pages of the thread for some good reference points/advice.

One thing that's really benefited from the Hydras is my 1' sebae anemone. Previously it was sorta suffering (shrunken arms, less colour) under 150W MH, but now it is flowing majestically with fully extended arms and eats extremely well when I feed it.

Now all I need is to have it host my new clowns :headwally:

 

[Sonicboom]

They mosh definitely do. My corals have swapped during lightning storms, I've noticed! And the clouds definitely give corals a "break" it's cool for us too lol

I agree, clouds give corals a break and go one step further at mimmicking their natural environment.

 

[phishlet]

I have four vega units and two hydra 52 units over my 350 gallon hexagon tank. Any suggestions on how to combine the spectrums? Right now I have them all on one automatic timer. I'm thinking about putting the Vegas on one channel and the hydra 52's on a separate channel. How should I configure them?