AI Hydra vs. Hydra FiftyTwo

[swclown]

Thank you. I'm very excited about the new tank!!:dance:

I'm probably going to order the lights today from MD but I'm a little upset with you guys. I've done a LOT of business with you guys for the past 10-15 years. You guys used to send me a free t shirt with large orders but I haven't seen one in years!! I want my freakin t-shirt!! :mad2: and a coffe mug and a new Vortech PH:idea:

( :

 

[MarineDepot]

Free T-Shirt Offer

Free T-Shirt Offer

Thank you. I'm very excited about the new tank!!:dance:

I'm probably going to order the lights today from MD but I'm a little upset with you guys. I've done a LOT of business with you guys for the past 10-15 years. You guys used to send me a free t shirt with large orders but I haven't seen one in years!! I want my freakin t-shirt!! :mad2: and a coffe mug and a new Vortech PH:idea:

( :

Let me know your shirt size along with a recent order # (or email address"”can be by PM)... just need some way to look up your account. I'll get one out ASAP so you can look like a fine, upstanding reefer once again!

We're sort of in a transitional period between our old site and our new site; we used to have a banner prompt you to select your shirt size when your cart contents are over $250. I thought this was still in play on the old site, but I tested it a moment ago and can see that it's not in action.

Most importantly: THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATRONAGE ALL THESE YEARS!

Next time you place an order over $250, just include your shirt size in the order notes and we'll send you our latest print. We've already got a couple designs we're considering for when the Some Assembly Required prints run out!

Jeff @ MD

 

[swclown]

Let me know your shirt size along with a recent order # (or email address"”can be by PM)... just need some way to look up your account. I'll get one out ASAP so you can look like a fine, upstanding reefer once again!

We're sort of in a transitional period between our old site and our new site; we used to have a banner prompt you to select your shirt size when your cart contents are over $250. I thought this was still in play on the old site, but I tested it a moment ago and can see that it's not in action.

Most importantly: THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATRONAGE ALL THESE YEARS!

Next time you place an order over $250, just include your shirt size in the order notes and we'll send you our latest print. We've already got a couple designs we're considering for when the Some Assembly Required prints run out!

Jeff @ MD

thanks!! I'm good now though. I ordered the lights today from Dan and he is sending a shirt ( : I'm still going to need to order one more light, ext rails, and a hanging kit so stay tuned!! thanks for your help!! ( :

 

[MarineDepot]

The Fish Whisperer

The Fish Whisperer

thanks!! I'm good now though. I ordered the lights today from Dan and he is sending a shirt ( : I'm still going to need to order one more light, ext rails, and a hanging kit so stay tuned!! thanks for your help!! ( :

Dan the Man aka The Fish Whisperer? He's one of our most knowledgeable staffers! Glad to hear he got you squared away.

 

[Curtispants]

I have a quick question...

I'm planning a 24"X24"x20X tank that is 50 gallons. I was looking around RC and saw people suggest the AI LED lighting but there are two options, a 52 and a hydra. For a 24" tank that is only 20" tall, could either do the job? I plan on having an sps piece or two, maybe a clam...I want to be able to house anything I want pretty much. I don't want my light to limit what I can keep. That said, I'm confused about how I'd mount them. I only want one fixture and I want it to sit horizontal to the front of the tank. I'm also contemplating the Apex with the module that will control the fixture. The module will control either of these fixtures correct?

Thank you in advance for all of my pita questions!

 

[CrossFit_Reefer]

I have ordered a 72x24x30 rimless tank. Can you tell me how many 52's I would need and how would I position them (---- or I-I-I-I) I will have a mixed reef set up with clams as well. Please tell me what mounting set up you recommend. I want Minsk power cords showing. I want it as clean as possibly. Thanks in advance

 

[MarineDepot]

AI Hydra vs. Hydra FiftyTwo

I have a quick question...

I'm planning a 24"X24"x20X tank that is 50 gallons. I was looking around RC and saw people suggest the AI LED lighting but there are two options, a 52 and a hydra. For a 24" tank that is only 20" tall, could either do the job? I plan on having an sps piece or two, maybe a clam...I want to be able to house anything I want pretty much. I don't want my light to limit what I can keep. That said, I'm confused about how I'd mount them. I only want one fixture and I want it to sit horizontal to the front of the tank. I'm also contemplating the Apex with the module that will control the fixture. The module will control either of these fixtures correct?

Thank you in advance for all of my pita questions!

Thank you for the questions and we are happy to help.

AquaIllumination is a great brand name and both fixtures would provide plenty of light and will not limit the corals you can keep in a tank that is 20" deep. Just be sure you place your coral appropriately based on lighting needs. Both fixtures are controllable using the Neptune Systems APEX and AWM module.

The FiftyTwo has an even spread of light as each puck contains the same number and color of individual LED diodes. It has a total of 52 LED diodes in 7 different colors. It will provide higher PAR values at a given depth when compared to the Hydra so you can place higher light demanding corals deeper in the aquarium.

With the Hydra fixture, you get an excellent price point and still get all the great control features of more expensive LED fixtures. The LED diodes colors are different on each puck. This will still provide a nice spectrum for coral growth but you may experience slight color zones in the tank. It has 20 LED diodes in 7 different colors. It will provide you plenty of light for SPS corals in the center of the tank within the first 15" of water depth.

For mounting parallel to your viewing pane, your best choice would be a suspension mount. You can utilize the AI Suspension Kit to anchor the fixture into your ceiling or hanging arms.

 

[Led Bizkit]

Can I run two Vegas and two HYDRA 52's on the same wireless controller?

Thanks

 

[MarineDepot]

Hi Led Bizkit,

Yes, you can run two Vegas and two Hydra 52's on the same wireless controller. However, the intensity of each channel will be the same across all four lights. For example, if you set the white intensity at 50%, all four lights will be at 50%.

To be able to control the lights separately, you will need either two wireless controllers or the Director.

 

[Led Bizkit]

Hi Led Bizkit,

Yes, you can run two Vegas and two Hydra 52's on the same wireless controller. However, the intensity of each channel will be the same across all four lights. For example, if you set the white intensity at 50%, all four lights will be at 50%.

To be able to control the lights separately, you will need either two wireless controllers or the Director.

So with the director, then I don't need the wireless controller at all?

Thanks for your help

 

[MarineDepot]

We're happy to help!

That is correct: with the Director, you will not need the wireless controller. All the lights will communicate directly with the Director.

 

[johninthemiddle]

Hi I currently have a Red Sea Max 250 (38"x21"x26") and I am wanting to upgrade to LED lights. I have been looking at the AI Hydra's and was wondering how many units you would recommend for that size of tank?

Also would it be possible to use the same number Hydro 26 units to get a greater spectrum of light or would the Hydro 52 be an better option?

 

[MarineDepot]

Hi John, If you are removing the RedSea hood and will be hanging the Hydra 26, two fixtures should work very well.

The 52's should not be necessary unless you are wanting to keep an all-out SPS tank and get as much intensity as possible for all the SPS corals.

 

[MarineDepot]

We've received a bunch of emails and calls from hobbyists interested in getting PAR values for the Hydra TwentySix, so we reached out to AI and they sent us these charts to share with you guys and gals.

If you’re still not sure if the Hydra TwentySix is right for you, reply with some basic details about your tank and its inhabitants and we’d be happy to let you know.

If you're already running an Aqua Illumination Hydra TwentySix over your reef aquarium, please post a photo and let us (and other forum members) know how you like it!

 

[Filipefil]

Hi, I just bought a tank (80"x24"x24") it will have SPS and LPS.
I would like to know what should I use (hydra, 26 ou 52), how many of then and best position?
Do you ship to Brazil?

Thanks for your help.

 

[MarineDepot]

Hi Filipefil,

Congratulations on your new aquarium! We would recommend either 4 Hydra 26's or 3 Hydra 52's. The 3 Hydra 52's would give you more total power; which would be great for SPS corals, but will be slightly more expensive.

Unfortunately, we are unable to ship to Brazil at this time. We apologize for the inconvenience.

 

[timelam]

I have a 150 gallon (72") mixed reef tank and I am currently running 3 - 150W HQI with supplemental 4- 96W PC bulbs.

I am looking to upgrade my lighting. Thinking of running 3 - 26's. Would you recommend it or something else?

 

[jlylec]

Thanks for the great write up and info! It looks like you recommend 2 hydra52s over a 48" tank. Mine is a 150H so it's 48" long and 31" deep. Would you still recommend 2 for mostly SPS or is 3 safer? I have 3 AI Sol Blues over it now.

Is there any advantage to using the AI Director for control over an Apex with the AWM module?

Can I still run my AI Sol Blues over my QT tanks with the Apex controlling both the Hydra52s and the Sols? Separately or together?

Thanks in advance!

 

[MarineDepot]

Hi timelam,

If the aquarium is a mixed-reef, three Hydra 26's should work nicely. If it is an SPS dominated tank, then we should recommend going with three 52's for the extra power.

Hi jlylec,

The 52's are significantly higher in wattage and output than the Sol's (135W vs 75W). Two should be plenty for your aquarium.

We would recommend going with the AWM if you already have the Apex. The only feature I can think of on the Director that is not on the Apex is regional weather simulation. Everything else is the same or similar.

Yes, you can run both your SOL and the 52's on your Apex. The Sol's will be controller through your VDM module and connected with the necessary cables. The 52's will be connected wireless through the AWM. The control portion will be separate.

Let us know if you have any other questions.

 

[jlylec]

Hi jlylec,

The 52's are significantly higher in wattage and output than the Sol's (135W vs 75W). Two should be plenty for your aquarium.

We would recommend going with the AWM if you already have the Apex. The only feature I can think of on the Director that is not on the Apex is regional weather simulation. Everything else is the same or similar.

Yes, you can run both your SOL and the 52's on your Apex. The Sol's will be controller through your VDM module and connected with the necessary cables. The 52's will be connected wireless through the AWM. The control portion will be separate.

Let us know if you have any other questions.

awesome thanks! Just placed my order for 2 and the AWM. Can't wait to check them out!