Reeftub
New member
Here are the different k setting but you will have to do the math to get to you % you want and keep the k value
AI Hydra Settings Thread
- Thread starter hilgert
- Start date
Here are the different k setting but you will have to do the math to get to you % you want and keep the k value
So far the closest I can get to 20K is a ratio, RB: DB:UV:TV:R:G:CW, of roughly = 9:9:7:8:1.5:2:3
For Example-
RB: 100%
DB: 100%
UV: 77%
TV: 88%
DR: 17%
G: 22%
CW: 33%
The two violets seem to tint the blue to a slightly more pinkish hue but overall have little effect. You might be able to convince me that having the whites at 40% is 20k (color temp is subjective the way most of us are judging this), but any higher and I would have to disagree. Red and Green really mess with the color to me so I turn them down pretty low (they go up to 25% for 4 hours a day during my peak at which I go to more of a 14k color that I have not visually tinkered with for color temp).
For the record this is not what I run my tank at during midday: I use the approach of ramping up for 2 hours at close to this 20k look (using the above ratio) then for 4 hours bringing whites up to 50%, reds to 25%, and greens to 25% then ramping down with the 20k look before leaving blues at 20% for a couple hours for extra viewing time under actinics.
My midday approach comes mostly from my interpretation of Dana Riddle's coral coloration series and this recent piece in Advanced Aquarist (hope it's ok to here) http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2014/5/aafeature
Tank is a 17" d.eep mixed reef with Acros directly under the fixture which is 14" above water level. The tank is 48" wide with a Kessil a350w on either side of the hydra with my LPS and BTA on the ends of the tank with SPS more centered.
For Example-
RB: 100%
DB: 100%
UV: 77%
TV: 88%
DR: 17%
G: 22%
CW: 33%
The two violets seem to tint the blue to a slightly more pinkish hue but overall have little effect. You might be able to convince me that having the whites at 40% is 20k (color temp is subjective the way most of us are judging this), but any higher and I would have to disagree. Red and Green really mess with the color to me so I turn them down pretty low (they go up to 25% for 4 hours a day during my peak at which I go to more of a 14k color that I have not visually tinkered with for color temp).
For the record this is not what I run my tank at during midday: I use the approach of ramping up for 2 hours at close to this 20k look (using the above ratio) then for 4 hours bringing whites up to 50%, reds to 25%, and greens to 25% then ramping down with the 20k look before leaving blues at 20% for a couple hours for extra viewing time under actinics.
My midday approach comes mostly from my interpretation of Dana Riddle's coral coloration series and this recent piece in Advanced Aquarist (hope it's ok to here) http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2014/5/aafeature
Tank is a 17" d.eep mixed reef with Acros directly under the fixture which is 14" above water level. The tank is 48" wide with a Kessil a350w on either side of the hydra with my LPS and BTA on the ends of the tank with SPS more centered.
Just curious, are you using a Kelvin Meter to determine that you're close to 20,000k, or are you going off what you see? I don't understand how somebody came up with the numbers I've seen posted to give you certain kelvin without using a kelvin meter.
Reeftub
New member
Yes I would like to see them check the k values also. These k values are what apex AI module gives you for k values so don't know how true they are. I think the 12k looks like 14k but that's just me after walking from outside on a sunny day and go right in and look at my tank.
Sorry I thought I had stated it was my visual opinion. I have seen two different posts with responses from AI with two different answers which are different from apex which also seems to yield discrepancy. My comparison in perceived color temp is as compared to reef brite MH bulbs. While exact numbers would be great in 127 posts I have yet to see anyone post that they would be testing with a Kelvin meter or even had one so I thought I would provide my visual experience to go a long with what others had posted. Since everyone is trying to obtain a 20000k color temp for the visual effect I went with a visual answer. I suspect that a Kelvin meter would be difficult to use on this fixture as I suspect that color temp would vary slightly throughout the tank as red bulbs are on one side and green on the other as well as location of blue vs white on the puck. Since we are able to control each color individually color temp seems rather irrelevant (just my opinion) other than for trying to produce a visually pleasing color.
Anyways, I apologize, I believed it was clear in my earlier post that it was my visual opinion but reading back I see that it was not. I only attempted to post this after trying numerous earlier posts to find something similar to a 20000k MH bulb and none really felt all that close. In conclusion I was just offering my 2 cents, take it for what it is.
Anyways, I apologize, I believed it was clear in my earlier post that it was my visual opinion but reading back I see that it was not. I only attempted to post this after trying numerous earlier posts to find something similar to a 20000k MH bulb and none really felt all that close. In conclusion I was just offering my 2 cents, take it for what it is.
McGee10
Ex FMAS board member
IMO, Bottom line every set of lights will likely be a little different every tank will handle the light a little differently, you just have to use your best judgment and see what works for you. I found that what my eye likes is not what the corals like. I don't get hung up on the par or kelvins numbers to much. Just my two cent worth.
tatorswife
New member
I have some questions. We are upgrading our tank from a 60 cube to a 90gal 48x24x18. We have 2 hydra 26 to put over it. So far we have not switched over from the 60 yet. Both tanks are 24 inches deep. We have put 1 of the hydras on the 60 gallon until we get it transferred to new tank. The light is 9 inches away from top of water line. We set it on 50% acclimation mode for 6 weeks. We have no clue what % of each color we should set it on. We have it set with just blues 50% from 10am-12pm then ramp up 2 hours from 12-2pm then full lights from 2pm-8pm then ramp down from 8pm to 11pm. We are totally confused as to what would be the best settings for the depth of the tank. Have had it on the tank for 2 days, today would make the 3rd day. We have a blue tenuis at the very top of the rocks that is starting to turn brown when full lights are on. We went from a 165w Chinese led fixture if that matters.
This is what we have it set on right now.
CW = 20%
RB = 50%
DB = 50%
Violet = 20%
UV = 20%
DRed = 10%
Green= 10%
This is what we have it set on right now.
CW = 20%
RB = 50%
DB = 50%
Violet = 20%
UV = 20%
DRed = 10%
Green= 10%
Last edited:
tatorswife
New member
I think that's where we are confused. Should we have that acclimation mode on or not? All the corals have been in the tank for a long time. Not even sure what that acclimation mode does vs the settings we have. I guess I will email them too. thank you.
Wazzel
New member
Those are very low settings. I have a 26 over a 20 long and I run at more than twice those settings. You should acclimate, but 50% for 6 weeks at those settings is significant overkill. Do 30% for 3 or 4 weeks.
Wazzel
New member
The settings set the power of the LED, acclimation reduces the setting by that amount and increase until it reaches your settings.
Example; you have blue at 50% and 50% acclimation so your blue will start at 25% of full power and ramp up to 50% over 6 weeks.
Green will go from 5% to 10% of full power.
etc....
tatorswife
New member
I emailed AI and they emailed me back.
Pretty much said same thing. Gave me these settings to start with
CW 45
db 55
rb 75
green 30
red 15
uv 25
violet 40
said probably did not need acclimation mode but if I did to do 20% for 3 weeks. Does this sound about right to you guys too ??
I guess we will try that and see how it goes.
Pretty much said same thing. Gave me these settings to start with
CW 45
db 55
rb 75
green 30
red 15
uv 25
violet 40
said probably did not need acclimation mode but if I did to do 20% for 3 weeks. Does this sound about right to you guys too ??
I guess we will try that and see how it goes.
sidewinder2180
New member
@ ssick92 I don't think it will have any effect on the corals. Fish might freak out mine don't mind it. It's fun but mostly a novelty. But I will say it happens in nature. I'm all about stimulating nature as much as possible.
ReefCowboy
New member
Hello everyone, sorry if this was asked before, and since I couldn't find much info online wanted to ask here.
I run 3 x26's over my 57 gal and things have been great. The thing is I've been conservative with the UV and wonder if that is increased I could notice improvement.
It's currently at 40% for about a year now. I see most tanks run them at lower percentages, what are the real benefits on these type of LEDs to the corals?
Anyone noticed improvement while ramping up/down on them?
Thank you for any input
I run 3 x26's over my 57 gal and things have been great. The thing is I've been conservative with the UV and wonder if that is increased I could notice improvement.
It's currently at 40% for about a year now. I see most tanks run them at lower percentages, what are the real benefits on these type of LEDs to the corals?
Anyone noticed improvement while ramping up/down on them?
Thank you for any input
ssick92
New member
Hey everyone,
To the people with healthy and happy tanks under Hydra 26/52, how far away from the lights do you have your SPS and LPS? I just want to make sure I don't have mine up too high. My lights are 10.5" AWL and about 15.5" above the tips of my SPS and about 22" above my LPS. I am not seeing as much growth as I'd like and I am trying to pinpoint the issue.
I have 2 Hydra 26's and my light levels are as follows (at PEAK levels):
UV 60
V 60
DB 75
RB 80
G 60
DR 60
CW 65
How does this setup seem to you guys? A picture of my light schedule is below:
Hydra 26 Light Schedule by ssick92, on Flickr
To the people with healthy and happy tanks under Hydra 26/52, how far away from the lights do you have your SPS and LPS? I just want to make sure I don't have mine up too high. My lights are 10.5" AWL and about 15.5" above the tips of my SPS and about 22" above my LPS. I am not seeing as much growth as I'd like and I am trying to pinpoint the issue.
I have 2 Hydra 26's and my light levels are as follows (at PEAK levels):
UV 60
V 60
DB 75
RB 80
G 60
DR 60
CW 65
How does this setup seem to you guys? A picture of my light schedule is below:
Hydra 26 Light Schedule by ssick92, on Flickr
ssick92
New member
For moon lights I have all colors on 1% except cool white which is 0. I used to have both blues up at 4% for the night, but it just seemed really bright to me so I lowered them down to 1%. Maybe I'll meet in the middle at 2%...
Similar threads
