AI Hydra Settings Thread

Guys, help me out here please. I'm considering buying some used non-HD Hydras and want to make sure I understand what I'm getting into.
1. How long do the individual LEDs last before they need to be replaced? Just wondering if buying used is worth it.
2. Do I have to purchase additional hardware to be able to program the lights (referring to Director and Controller)?

Thanks for the help!
 
wddamf said:
Guys, help me out here please. I'm considering buying some used non-HD Hydras and want to make sure I understand what I'm getting into.
1. How long do the individual LEDs last before they need to be replaced? Just wondering if buying used is worth it.
2. Do I have to purchase additional hardware to be able to program the lights (referring to Director and Controller)?

Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...


1. The LED's used in these lights use are from top shelf manufactures like SemiLED, Phillips and Cree. That being said realistically they have about a 50-80000 hr use span to half brightness. Taken at 12 hrs a day use they theoretically should last 10+ years. That being said a 25%-50% drop in output along with spectral shift can be huge, especially the way some of our schedules push these lights. I think that puts the realistic lifespan closer to 5-6 years rather then 10. Finally, is it worth it depends but at this point a light that has been in use for 3-4 years is already getting to the point where I'd start researching/looking for the next release. The HD's have already been out for 18+ months and you could be 2 generations behind very soon.

2. Yes director or control via an APEX AWM add on module is required for schedule programming.

Hope this helps!


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Moved everything over to my new tank this weekend. Everything is reeling but it should settle in nicely!!!!! IMG_1097.jpgIMG_1098.jpg


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Orcus Varuna said:
1. The LED's used in these lights use are from top shelf manufactures like SemiLED, Phillips and Cree. That being said realistically they have about a 50-80000 hr use span to half brightness. Taken at 12 hrs a day use they theoretically should last 10+ years. That being said a 25%-50% drop in output along with spectral shift can be huge, especially the way some of our schedules push these lights. I think that puts the realistic lifespan closer to 5-6 years rather then 10. Finally, is it worth it depends but at this point a light that has been in use for 3-4 years is already getting to the point where I'd start researching/looking for the next release. The HD's have already been out for 18+ months and you could be 2 generations behind very soon.

2. Yes director or control via an APEX AWM add on module is required for schedule programming.

Hope this helps!


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Click to expand...

Very much so, thanks! Especially since I don't have an APEX controller!
 
oohnoo said:
I made my own mounts for the two Hydra's I have. Cost under $50 only because I wanted it fully adjustable for both side to side adjustment and height. Just need 1/2" EMT conduit and brackets. And if you wanted to be able to position it anywhere from side to side you need a length of T-Slotted Extrusion. I can post pics if you want.
Click to expand...



Can you post pictures?



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NXT Rail question!

NXT Rail question!

Hey man looks like your tank is a standard 120 (48 x 24 x 24), what size NXT rails did you use with the vertical AI rail to get it square in the middle of the tank? 12''?
 
So, I have 90 gal regular. I am running hydra 26 HD on one half the other half 165w Chinese box. All my frags are on hydra side. Def hydra is better. I will get more 52s in the near future. So I read the entire thread in the last week, Jesus it was a lot. Basically running AB+ 12AWL setting for the past few days. So tank is 10 years old fish only, just started adding corals parameters look good, but I think I was starving them with the lights not being setup correctly. I have a green slimer, bam bam zoos, saving hands a blasto and yuma. Any suggestion where I should place them running these settings. I am new to corals so any help would be really good. Could post parameters of the tank if needed. I test every week. I was having coral growth issue. My slimer started to slowly go white over last 4 weeks, blasto lost flesh. But I see some polyps growing on blasto with these settings. Blasto on sand yuma on sand Waving hand on sand, zoos 16" BWL , slimer 10" BWL. Lights hanging about 10" AWL, from top of the water to sand bed about 21". Thanks in advanced.
 
limavet1 said:
Hello guys!! Can I controll my hydras 26hd by Apex

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Click to expand...



Not at the moment. Direct support should be coming this year according to the Neptune rep I spoke with a few days ago while dealing with another issue :)


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Arafas said:
So, I have 90 gal regular. I am running hydra 26 HD on one half the other half 165w Chinese box. All my frags are on hydra side. Def hydra is better. I will get more 52s in the near future. So I read the entire thread in the last week, Jesus it was a lot. Basically running AB+ 12AWL setting for the past few days. So tank is 10 years old fish only, just started adding corals parameters look good, but I think I was starving them with the lights not being setup correctly. I have a green slimer, bam bam zoos, saving hands a blasto and yuma. Any suggestion where I should place them running these settings. I am new to corals so any help would be really good. Could post parameters of the tank if needed. I test every week. I was having coral growth issue. My slimer started to slowly go white over last 4 weeks, blasto lost flesh. But I see some polyps growing on blasto with these settings. Blasto on sand yuma on sand Waving hand on sand, zoos 16" BWL , slimer 10" BWL. Lights hanging about 10" AWL, from top of the water to sand bed about 21". Thanks in advanced.
Click to expand...



If your parameters check out those placements look fine. Not knowing your previous settings sounds like you burned your corals. Even with you now using the sps ab+ setting I still would recommend using the acclimation setting on your lights. Try 30% for 2 months and don't add anymore corals during this time. If you do this and are still experiencing issues your issues are a parameter issue. You said the tank is 10 years old so the first place I would look is latent phosphate locked up in your rock. Hope this helps


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When you say 30% for two months, so if I set acclimation mode on and set 2 months. Do I just each individually slider in the acclimation to 30% percent? Will it still follow your saw tooth graph?
 
Just want to make sure you realize you can use the AI Director OR and Apex.
I have two Hydra 26's controlled by the Director which I can control everything like the new HD's. Daily schedule, ramp up/down, %, etc.

wddamf said:
Very much so, thanks! Especially since I don't have an APEX controller!
Click to expand...
 
Arafas said:
When you say 30% for two months, so if I set acclimation mode on and set 2 months. Do I just each individually slider in the acclimation to 30% percent? Will it still follow your saw tooth graph?
Click to expand...



Yes just set the sliders to 30% and it will follow the schedule just at reduced intensity until the acclimation period is over.


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Thanks, will try. What is your tanks nitrate and phosphate level. The only bad parameters I have is nitrate 25ppm, phosphate 0.08ppm. Waiting for hanna checker to double check my phosphate.
 
That is your issue right there. If that phosphate number is correct it is sky high and will cause issues if trying to keep any corals let alone sps. For reference my tank as of last weekend had nitrates of 5 and phosphate under .01. Also if you want to get into acro keeping nitrates should also stay under 10.


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