AI Hydra vs. Hydra FiftyTwo

[mushumatt]

To program the 52what would be easier, the controller or director. I have a router located 3 feet from the tank. I am looking for an option that will work for a few months till I end up getting an apex. I can't really find much information, but from what I gather the director will allow me to use the AI app on my iPad and iPhone to program the light. While the controller itself would be used to program?

Trying to get all the information before I order on Monday.

 

[MarineDepot]

To program the 52what would be easier, the controller or director. I have a router located 3 feet from the tank. I am looking for an option that will work for a few months till I end up getting an apex. I can't really find much information, but from what I gather the director will allow me to use the AI app on my iPad and iPhone to program the light. While the controller itself would be used to program?

Trying to get all the information before I order on Monday.

If it's temporary, we would recommend the wireless controller as it is easier to set up out of the box, the quick-programming is fairly easy to use and it is cheaper. The Director is gives you more functionality and is easier to use in the long run, but does have a steeper learning curve.

 

[mushumatt]

Thank you, it is temporary. I should have an Apex up and running in the next few months. I see you recommending two 26's over one 52. So for a 40 breeder would you recommend as well 2 26's over 1 52 fixture? Price really is not that big of a concern for me, I am looking for the best option for my corals. Mixed reef SPS/LPS/Zoas/BTA

 

[MarineDepot]

Thank you, it is temporary. I should have an Apex up and running in the next few months. I see you recommending two 26's over one 52. So for a 40 breeder would you recommend as well 2 26's over 1 52 fixture? Price really is not that big of a concern for me, I am looking for the best option for my corals. Mixed reef SPS/LPS/Zoas/BTA

Hi mushumatt,

If price is not a big factor, we prefer having two Hydra 26's over a single 52. Having two fixtures allow you do set them apart to get the best coverage and to minimize shadowing. The output of two Hydra 26's is also higher than a single 52, so you also have that extra capability.

 

[mushumatt]

Awesome I like the sound of that. What would you recommend to mount the lights? I am looking at the AI classic rail kit, 2x parallel mount kit, and classic rail hanging kit. From what i can understand it will allow me to suspend the lights from the ceiling, the 26's would be parallel to the length of the tank, and I can slide them as needed to get the right spread of light.

The classic rail kit would not have the height above the tank to get the light spread needed on a 40 breeder.

 

[MarineDepot]

Awesome I like the sound of that. What would you recommend to mount the lights? I am looking at the AI classic rail kit, 2x parallel mount kit, and classic rail hanging kit. From what i can understand it will allow me to suspend the lights from the ceiling, the 26's would be parallel to the length of the tank, and I can slide them as needed to get the right spread of light.

The classic rail kit would not have the height above the tank to get the light spread needed on a 40 breeder.

Sounds like you have thought this out quite thoroughly. Our preference would be the Classic Rail kit with the Classic Rail Hanging Kit as well. The ability to easily adjust the height and slide the lights back and forth along the rail are great features. The lights will be perpendicular to the front (36"L) of the aquarium.

 

[mushumatt]

Thank you, I have learned early in life to be thorough and research before you jump into anything. So you would recommend running the The lights length perpendicular to the length of the tank? I was thinking that you would get better light spread on the tank by running the lights parallel to the length of the tank?

 

[MarineDepot]

Thank you, I have learned early in life to be thorough and research before you jump into anything. So you would recommend running the The lights length perpendicular to the length of the tank? I was thinking that you would get better light spread on the tank by running the lights parallel to the length of the tank?

With 2 fixtures on a 36" aquarium, either orientation would work well. The more important factor is having the two separate point sources (fixtures) that you can adjust. Only on a longer aquarium, say 48", we would expect an advantage of having the lights parallel.

 

[mitek2]

Hi. I know basically nothing about LEDs. I just ordered a 120gal 48 x 24 x 25 tank.
I like what I'm reading about the Hydra 52, but what all what I need to order to make this work. Keep in mind I'm not overly mechanically inclined! So the easier the better.

 

[exray]

Hi MD,
I have a 48Lx30Wx20T What would recommend 3x 26's or 2x 52's. also lights will be monted in a canopy.

 

[MarineDepot]

Hi. I know basically nothing about LEDs. I just ordered a 120gal 48 x 24 x 25 tank.
I like what I'm reading about the Hydra 52, but what all what I need to order to make this work. Keep in mind I'm not overly mechanically inclined! So the easier the better.

Congratulations on the new aquarium:thumbsup: You will need either two Hydra 26's for a mixed reef, or two Hydra 52's for an all-out SPS aquarium. You will need the two fixtures, a controller and some sort of mounting system. Feel free to give us a call at 800-566-3474 if you have any questions or need help picking out the right parts.

 

[MarineDepot]

Hi MD,
I have a 48Lx30Wx20T What would recommend 3x 26's or 2x 52's. also lights will be monted in a canopy.

Being 30" wide, the Hydra 52's would be preferable. You will want about 10"-15" from the bottom of the lights to the top of your aquarium. Mounting the lights in a canopy can be tricky (actual mounting of the lights, the mounting height and proper ventilation). We would recommend checking with AquaIllumination directly regarding the installation.

 

[mitek2]

Well, I ordered the Hydra 52's. I'll admit when I opened the box and saw how small they were I was a little shocked. But when I got them set up with the AI director it was incredible the amount of light that comes out!!
The wireless director is really cool, and mixing the colors is a lot of fun. Looking forward to getting it on the tank and see how it does. Also, I ordered from salty supply in Orlando (saltysupply.com) and they were very helpful. One of their support people, Chris, called me and we talked about lighting for about half an hour. He gave me lots of suggestions and told me exactly what I needed. I highly recommend them .

 

[SAZ03]

Help please!!

Help please!!

I have a 60x20x20 tank with the dreaded black center brace down the middle. I am about to pull the trigger and pre-order the AI Hydra HD lights but cannot figure out the right number or configuration. I am thinking either 2 52's or 4 26's. Can someone help me figure out what will be better overall? I guess its a personal preference but was hoping someone could lead me in the right direction.

 

[mitek2]

I don't know how much light the 26 Hydra 26 puts out, but the 52's have a pretty good spread side to side. My tank is 48 x 25 x 25 and it covers pretty well. I'm thinking you may need 3 52's or 4 26's.
If you did four lights you could put them next to the Center brace and the spread would probably cover underneath.

But the two I have I never go over 15 to 20%! They put out enough light at that low level

 

[SAZ03]

I could only do 3 52's without the center brace but the brace makes it impossible to do 3 52's. That is why I am trying to figure out whether 2 52's would be the same or better than 2 26's or vice versa.

 

[oldbones]

With your tank only being 20" front to back, I might lean towards two 52's just for simplicity's sake. If it were a deeper footprint, maybe 26's mounted perpendicular would be better.

 

[MarineDepot]

I have a 60x20x20 tank with the dreaded black center brace down the middle. I am about to pull the trigger and pre-order the AI Hydra HD lights but cannot figure out the right number or configuration. I am thinking either 2 52's or 4 26's. Can someone help me figure out what will be better overall? I guess its a personal preference but was hoping someone could lead me in the right direction.

Hi SAZ03,

If it'll be a mixed reef, you can definitely get away with just the two 52's. There may be slight shading beneath the brace, but you can simply place corals that need less light there.

If you are looking to keep a lot of SPS corals, or want to eliminate as much shading as possible, then we would recommend going with the four 26's. Not only will be total wattage be higher, but you will also be able to get a better cover because there are four fixtures. One option may be to angle the middle 26's slightly to get around the brace.

If you have any other questions, please let us know.

 

[mitek2]

Ohhh, angle them, good idea. I never thought of that

 

[GOSKN5]

Hello, with the new Hydra HD is a constant WiFi connection required or only when needing to change schedule etc?

I don't have WiFi in my home, but when I am around I can tether my phone for a WiFi connection if I needed to adjust the schedule or intensity etc... or is constant WiFi availability required? Thank you..