AI Hydra Settings Thread

[Mattnjayne]

This is a valid point. Right now to convince the fun and finance police to let me outlay the $800 + (yes everything in Australia is more expensive) to get a 52, director and hanging kit.

 

[rodneyri]

I would do 2-26's to avoid shadowing....2-52's if you got the cash to flood the tank all over.

I plan to add a 5th to mine and run them in parallel with the AI classic rail kit.

 

[Mattnjayne]

I think one 52 would do the job nicely. It is only a 2ft cube.

 

[Corona007]

I run a 26 on my 24 X 18 X 16 with great coverage at 50% mostly LPS and a few SPS and growing. I get shadowing but only under rocks.

 

[EllisJuan]

I am going to be rejoining the Hydra family. Last year I sold my two 52s I had over my 65g. Since then I have moved and am going to a 24x24x12 rimless and just ordered a 26 to go over it. This should be enough light right?

 

[major stare]

Hello all the way from Western Australia.

I was looking at these lights when I was setting my tank up last year but they weren't in the country at the time.

Having just finished reading all 132 pages I wish I had waited as my current lights are not cutting the mustard (orphek compact).

Just seems not many people use the lights I have and it seems there is limited information on them in relation to settings. Haven't had much luck with them directly either but that aside I think I want to make the switch.

A few questions though

1. I have a 2ft cube would I be better of with a 52 or a 26?
2. People seem to run their light 24/7 with the lunar mode. Don't corals need a rest?
3. Seems you have to buy the hanging kit separately is this right?
4. Director - does this have to be plugged into router directly or is this also wifi based?

I have a mixed reef tank.

I swapped from a 26 to a 52 over my 2ft cube. The 52 is far superior, with less shadowing. Plus, you can potentially mount it lower.

 

[Mattnjayne]

I am going to be rejoining the Hydra family. Last year I sold my two 52s I had over my 65g. Since then I have moved and am going to a 24x24x12 rimless and just ordered a 26 to go over it. This should be enough light right?

Would love to see a pic of this once it is set up as tank size is almost mine.

 

[rodneyri]

I think one 52 would do the job nicely. It is only a 2ft cube.

Drop kenpau a PM, he is in WA aswell and ran Hydra's

 

[Mattnjayne]

Yeah already spoken to him.

 

[Mattnjayne]

I swapped from a 26 to a 52 over my 2ft cube. The 52 is far superior, with less shadowing. Plus, you can potentially mount it lower.

Got any pics or a TJ?

 

[Reeftub]

This is my 190g 60x27x27 with 6-52s 12" off water with a little shadowing

Not the pic of the lights cuz canopy is open but you get the idea, side shot of canopy. The more lights the marier

 

[EllisJuan]

Ugh...I am getting a little concerned that the 26 I ordered is not going to be enough for my 24x24x12 build.

 

[Reeftub]

Ugh...I am getting a little concerned that the 26 I ordered is not going to be enough for my 24x24x12 build.

You can always buy another 26 that way you can separate them and get better coverage and less shadowing than one 52. Put them 6" or 1' apart and it will be perfect + when you get the 2nd 26 you will have to turn intensity down because there will be twice the LEDs.

 

[kenpau]

Yeah already spoken to him.

Just sold my Hydra52s, shame you didn't see my post on MASWA in time!

 

[hart24601]

Yea, get 2 26s. Better than 1 52 and not much more money. Straight from AI 2 26s have more power (cool better so can run higher?) and you can position them however you want to really maximize those 4 pucks.

 

[Mattnjayne]

Just sold my Hydra52s, shame you didn't see my post on MASWA in time!

Yeah I did see them but wasn't looking at the time. Waiting on a price from AGP to see how much a 52 will be with director and hanging kit before I look to put my orphek up for sale.

 

[kenpau]

Yeah I did see them but wasn't looking at the time. Waiting on a price from AGP to see how much a 52 will be with director and hanging kit before I look to put my orphek up for sale.

Yeah Matt will definitely do you a good price, he'll price match it too if you get a few prices online.

 

[persun87]

Anyone that has had the regular hydra then upgraded to the hydra 52? Was it worth the upgrade? How much better are the 52s? Thanks

 

[kenpau]

Anyone that has had the regular hydra then upgraded to the hydra 52? Was it worth the upgrade? How much better are the 52s? Thanks

I did the SOL blue to Hydra52 upgrade....100% worth it!!

 

[Wazzel]

I think one 52 would do the job nicely. It is only a 2ft cube.

It will for a while. I ran one for a year then the growth got to a point where it was causing quite a bit of shadowing. I added a second just over a month ago. The pieces that were suffering have already recovered.