daytonareefing
In Memoriam
I have a full Apex what do I need to hook up a hydra 26 or 52? Do both come with some way to mount them? Thank you
AI Hydra vs. Hydra FiftyTwo
- Thread starter MarineDepot
- Start date
MarineDepot
Sponsor
If you have an Apex, you can use the AWM Module to control the AI Hydra's.
As for mounting, there are two 10/32 thread size holes on the fixture that you can utilize for installation if you want to come up with something on your own. AI also offers the EXT system and Classic Rail Kits .
As for mounting, there are two 10/32 thread size holes on the fixture that you can utilize for installation if you want to come up with something on your own. AI also offers the EXT system and Classic Rail Kits .
MarineDepot
Sponsor
Hi asmodyus,
We would rate the Prime at 18x18, Hydra 26 at 24 x 24 and Hydra 52 at 30 x30. For your application, adding two Hydra 26's would be a great option.
We would rate the Prime at 18x18, Hydra 26 at 24 x 24 and Hydra 52 at 30 x30. For your application, adding two Hydra 26's would be a great option.
Spinelessspade
New member
How many hydra 26 would it take to get good lighting for an sps dominated 48x18x21?
MarineDepot
Sponsor
Hi Spinelessspade,
Two Hydra 26's should be plenty for the large majority of hobbyists.
In very extreme cases where the aquarium is completely packed and the SPS colonies are so overgrown that they are shading each other, additional fixture(s) maybe need to get lighting to those shaded areas.
Ok, same question, different reefer!
I'm currently running an AI Prime over my 29g biocube, and loving it. It's a new system to me, and I'm a newbie reefer.
I have a custom tank in the build shop right now. It will be 34" long x 19" deep and 19" tall. Goal is mixed reef, but definitely have the bug for some designer SPS...
Options are:
1. Buy another Prime, mount them 16" or so apart.
2. Buy two Hydra 26's, mounted 16" apart.
3. One Hydra 52, mounted perpendicular to tank (not sure how to do that, hanging is NOT an option)
Suggestions?
I'm currently running an AI Prime over my 29g biocube, and loving it. It's a new system to me, and I'm a newbie reefer.
I have a custom tank in the build shop right now. It will be 34" long x 19" deep and 19" tall. Goal is mixed reef, but definitely have the bug for some designer SPS...
Options are:
1. Buy another Prime, mount them 16" or so apart.
2. Buy two Hydra 26's, mounted 16" apart.
3. One Hydra 52, mounted perpendicular to tank (not sure how to do that, hanging is NOT an option)
Suggestions?
MarineDepot
Sponsor
Hi Oldbones,
Congrats on the new aquarium! Very nice dimensions, BTW.
Since the aquarium is just 19" deep, two AI Primes would be plenty for a mixed reef. You would simply put the SPS corals where it's brighter.
If you find that you get the "SPS bug" like some of us here at MD and the tank becomes an SPS garden, you can always add a third Prime (if you find it necessary).
MarineDepot
Sponsor
AI Prime
AI Prime
Sounds like a plan! We are pleased we were able to help out and welcome you to hit us up any time you have a question... we love talking tank! Happy Friday! :beer:
AI Prime
Sounds like a plan! We are pleased we were able to help out and welcome you to hit us up any time you have a question... we love talking tank! Happy Friday! :beer:
MarineDepot
Sponsor
Hi Sells,
Two Hydra 26's would be a great option and would provide excellent coverage and intensity for your aquarium. With the recently lowered price of $299, the value of the Hydra 26 is tough to beat!
Two Hydra 26's would be a great option and would provide excellent coverage and intensity for your aquarium. With the recently lowered price of $299, the value of the Hydra 26 is tough to beat!
MarineDepot
Sponsor
Hi Abobis,
We would recommend three Hydra 26's as it would light up the aquarium more evenly.
TorryRx
New member
Good morning!
I'm looking at lighting for my new custom aquarium...dimensions are 72 x 32 x 28. The tank has a clear center brace and the lights will be mounted inside a canopy approximately 12" above the water. Inhabitants will be LPS and softies; I have no plans to keep SPS corals with the fish bioload I intend to have. After reading the response above, I'm thinking about using three Hydra 26's perpendicular to the front of the tank (I I I) and would love a second opinion? Would it be better to mount the center light parallel (I - I) to get around the center brace?
The stand and canopy have not been built yet; would it be helpful to go a little taller? Or mount them closer to 10" above the water line? I like the previously posted idea of placing the lights over cutouts on top of the canopy. I assume the lights mount directly into the roof of the canopy, so I will not need to get a mounting bracket?
I really appreciate any advice you may have...
This has been an exceptionally helpful thread...thank you so much!
I'm looking at lighting for my new custom aquarium...dimensions are 72 x 32 x 28. The tank has a clear center brace and the lights will be mounted inside a canopy approximately 12" above the water. Inhabitants will be LPS and softies; I have no plans to keep SPS corals with the fish bioload I intend to have. After reading the response above, I'm thinking about using three Hydra 26's perpendicular to the front of the tank (I I I) and would love a second opinion? Would it be better to mount the center light parallel (I - I) to get around the center brace?
The stand and canopy have not been built yet; would it be helpful to go a little taller? Or mount them closer to 10" above the water line? I like the previously posted idea of placing the lights over cutouts on top of the canopy. I assume the lights mount directly into the roof of the canopy, so I will not need to get a mounting bracket?
I really appreciate any advice you may have...
This has been an exceptionally helpful thread...thank you so much!
MarineDepot
Sponsor
Hi TorryRx,
Congrats on the new aquarium! We would recommend starting with the three Hydra 26's perpendicular to the front of the tank. As long as the center brace is kept clean, it should only block about 15% of the light.
Down the road if you find that the center brace is blocking too much light for your liking, you can add a fourth light so that you will not have a light directly on top of the brace.
If the aquarium is 32" tall and 28" front to back, 10" from the bottom of the light fixture to the water level should be fine. Keep in mind the fixture is about 2" tall and you will also need at least 2" above the fixture for ventilation (as well as fans in the canopy actively blowing the hot air out).
If the aquarium is 28" tall and 32" front to back, you will want to raise the fixture even higher to get a better coverage. In this case, 12"-15" should do the trick.
Unfortunately, you cannot mount the lights directly to the canopy. Fans are located at the top of the fixture and space is required for ventilation. This would be the case for just about all high-end LED fixtures.
Congrats on the new aquarium! We would recommend starting with the three Hydra 26's perpendicular to the front of the tank. As long as the center brace is kept clean, it should only block about 15% of the light.
Down the road if you find that the center brace is blocking too much light for your liking, you can add a fourth light so that you will not have a light directly on top of the brace.
If the aquarium is 32" tall and 28" front to back, 10" from the bottom of the light fixture to the water level should be fine. Keep in mind the fixture is about 2" tall and you will also need at least 2" above the fixture for ventilation (as well as fans in the canopy actively blowing the hot air out).
If the aquarium is 28" tall and 32" front to back, you will want to raise the fixture even higher to get a better coverage. In this case, 12"-15" should do the trick.
Unfortunately, you cannot mount the lights directly to the canopy. Fans are located at the top of the fixture and space is required for ventilation. This would be the case for just about all high-end LED fixtures.
MarineDepot
Sponsor
Hi mtgh,
Congratulations on the new monster tank! We would recommend mounting them perpendicularly | | | . Using AI's Classic Rail Kit along with a hanging kit would be a great option as it allows you to easily slide the lights along the track to get the best coverage. And, the hanging kit allows you to easily change the height.
Led Bizkit
New member
I have a 72" long X 24" Width X 30" tall with two center braces at the top, coming next week.
I currently have 2 Hydra 52's converted from SOL's and 2 Vegas. I will be converting the Vegas to Hydra 52's (one or both)
These will be mounted in a canopy. The bottom of the lights should be at least 6" above the water line. This should give me 2" of clearance between the top of the lights and canopy for ventilation.
So my question is, due to the 2 center braces, what would be best either 3 or 4 Hydra 52's? One could be put in between each brace but the AWL is only 6 inches, so not sure if I need the 4th light and/or how would I place them?
Thanks for your help
I currently have 2 Hydra 52's converted from SOL's and 2 Vegas. I will be converting the Vegas to Hydra 52's (one or both)
These will be mounted in a canopy. The bottom of the lights should be at least 6" above the water line. This should give me 2" of clearance between the top of the lights and canopy for ventilation.
So my question is, due to the 2 center braces, what would be best either 3 or 4 Hydra 52's? One could be put in between each brace but the AWL is only 6 inches, so not sure if I need the 4th light and/or how would I place them?
Thanks for your help
MarineDepot
Sponsor
Hi Led Bizkit,
Congrats on the new tank! Ideally, you will want about 10" AWL. With 2 center braces, 3 lights will work better than 4. In this scenario, we would recommend finding a way to raise the canopy: perhaps adding a trim around the bottom of the canopy to elevate it. 3 Hydra 52's at 10"-12" AWL will give you better coverage than 4 Hydra 52's at 6" AWL, especially with 2 center braces. in our opinion.
If raising the canopy is not an option, then you want to use the AI Classic Rail kit so you can adjust the position of the light to try and get the best positioning/coverage.
