AI Hydra vs. Hydra FiftyTwo
- Thread starter MarineDepot
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MarineDepot
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AI Customer Support
AI Customer Support
The reason we do not ship to hotels is because the likelihood of fraud is so much higher. We apologize for the inconvenience!
Waiting 5 days for a simple response is too long, in our opinion.
Have you tried the telephone number on their Help Page or gotten in touch with the store you bought the lights from so they can work as an advocate for you to help get your problems resolved?
That is what we would recommend as next steps. While you're waiting in the meantime, you might try asking other AI users on forums you participate in for advice.
AI Customer Support
The reason we do not ship to hotels is because the likelihood of fraud is so much higher. We apologize for the inconvenience!
Waiting 5 days for a simple response is too long, in our opinion.
Have you tried the telephone number on their Help Page or gotten in touch with the store you bought the lights from so they can work as an advocate for you to help get your problems resolved?
That is what we would recommend as next steps. While you're waiting in the meantime, you might try asking other AI users on forums you participate in for advice.
I did try to buy from Marine Depot but ended up having to go through Amazon 
(I'm a pilot and the aquarium products are so expensive in the UAE where I am based so buy overseas on trips)
As for the problem I was having, eventually they got back to me and apparently the features of layout, sunrise/sunset, local weather and cloud sweeps are not available on the HD lights! Only on the Director interface.....
I have expressed my displeasure to Aqua Illuminations since I have not seen anywhere on their web literature that these are excluded on the HD lights....in fact everything I have seen points to these features. Since these are the top of the range AI lights in their catalogue I am pretty annoyed. The 'extra' HD par is of far less use than these features to me.
(I'm a pilot and the aquarium products are so expensive in the UAE where I am based so buy overseas on trips)As for the problem I was having, eventually they got back to me and apparently the features of layout, sunrise/sunset, local weather and cloud sweeps are not available on the HD lights! Only on the Director interface.....
I have expressed my displeasure to Aqua Illuminations since I have not seen anywhere on their web literature that these are excluded on the HD lights....in fact everything I have seen points to these features. Since these are the top of the range AI lights in their catalogue I am pretty annoyed. The 'extra' HD par is of far less use than these features to me.
MarineDepot
Sponsor
Hydra HD
Hydra HD
Now that you mention it, that does sound familiar. I relayed your feedback to our assistant customer support manager so he can share it with our team the next time some inquires just to be safe.
I've observed other other hobbyists sharing screenshots of their light schedules online; perhaps some may be willing to share what settings have working for them if you poke around a bit.
Hydra HD
I did try to buy from Marine Depot but ended up having to go through Amazon
As for the problem I was having, eventually they got back to me and apparently the features of layout, sunrise/sunset, local weather and cloud sweeps are not available on the HD lights! Only on the Director interface.....
I have expressed my displeasure to Aqua Illuminations since I have not seen anywhere on their web literature that these are excluded on the HD lights....in fact everything I have seen points to these features. Since these are the top of the range AI lights in their catalogue I am pretty annoyed. The 'extra' HD par is of far less use than these features to me.
Now that you mention it, that does sound familiar. I relayed your feedback to our assistant customer support manager so he can share it with our team the next time some inquires just to be safe.
I've observed other other hobbyists sharing screenshots of their light schedules online; perhaps some may be willing to share what settings have working for them if you poke around a bit.
Last edited:
MarineDepot
Sponsor
AquaIllumination Classic Rail Kit - 48 Inch
AquaIllumination Classic Rail Kit - 48 Inch
Since your aquarium is 48" long, you'll want the 48" rail kit (link).
AquaIllumination Classic Rail Kit - 48 Inch
Since your aquarium is 48" long, you'll want the 48" rail kit (link).
Avgou
Premium Member
I want to hang two 52 HDs. My tank is also rimless. Thanks for the response but I'm not sure still if the 12 or 18 better. I'm thinking 18"
MarineDepot
Sponsor
The 12" EXT rail will set the lights 3.75" - 9" apart, while the 18" EXT rails will set the lights 12"-14.25" apart.
If you plan to have the lights closer to the aquarium, say 6"-10", the 18" rails should work well.
If you plan to hang your lights a little higher (12"+), we would probably go with the 12" rails.
If you plan to have the lights closer to the aquarium, say 6"-10", the 18" rails should work well.
If you plan to hang your lights a little higher (12"+), we would probably go with the 12" rails.
MarineDepot
Sponsor
It really depends on your setup (tank dimensions, rockscape) and preference. Higher, you will get better coverage and more even blending. However, you will have to run the intensities a little higher and will have more light spillage.
Lower, narrow coverage and colors will not blend quite as well. However, higher intensities and less light spillage.
10"-12" is fairly typical.
Lower, narrow coverage and colors will not blend quite as well. However, higher intensities and less light spillage.
10"-12" is fairly typical.
MarineDepot
Sponsor
Thanks for the info JoeBatt. We did confirm with AI that you are correct and the functions are currently unavailable with the HD series. However, they are continually working to improve the software so hopefully these features will return in the near future.
If i want to hang 3 Hydra 52 perpendicular using the classic rail kit over a 48x24x20 tank, should i get the 36in or 48in? first thought was 48in since that's the length of my tank.. but since i wont be mounting the lights at the very edge for even spread would it make sense to get the 36in instead?
Thinking 1 hydra in the middle of the classic kit and other 2 hydras at the very ends of the rail kit would position it perfectly over the tank? thoughts?
Thinking 1 hydra in the middle of the classic kit and other 2 hydras at the very ends of the rail kit would position it perfectly over the tank? thoughts?
MarineDepot
Sponsor
The 36" Rail kit would indeed work out just fine and would actually make the installation look a little cleaner. As you noted, you wouldn't want the lights at the very edge anyways.
perfect. thanks for that feedback.
Have been reading reviews of customers having a hard time mounting Hydra 52 using the screws for the rail kit and requiring a lot of fiddling. are you aware of similar complaints? Just curious if this is a valid concern or what my other mounting options would be so that i can still use my existing conduit hangers over my tank.
MarineDepot
Sponsor
It's been a while since we last mounted one. I believe the screws included were indeed a little short. However, they are common 5/32 screws and you can very easily pick up longer screws from any hardware store.
jeff240gallon
New member
AI Hydra vs. Hydra FiftyTwo
My tank is 6ft long, 2.5 ft tall, and 2 feet deep. Should I get three hydra 52s or 5-6 hydra 26's? Some people are saying the 26 is more powerful? How's that?
Also I was suggested to supplement with t5's.. Thoughts?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
My tank is 6ft long, 2.5 ft tall, and 2 feet deep. Should I get three hydra 52s or 5-6 hydra 26's? Some people are saying the 26 is more powerful? How's that?
Also I was suggested to supplement with t5's.. Thoughts?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
