Hydra 52up grade

[drtrash]

Anyone upgrade from sol? I included a uv/red/green rapid led unit but wondering how these units are working with controller....

 

[LefkoNJ]

I did this upgrade back in May. I use my apex to control the lights, both with the sols and now with the Hydra52s. Very happy with the transition. Easy to setup and get working not really any issues at all. I actually went from 4 sols to 3 hydra52s, since the spread is stronger with the newer lights. Was able to sell the extra unit to help pay for the new ones.

 

[drtrash]

Did you send it in or buy parts? Very happy with sol and additional unit but hoping for color upgrade.

 

[zibba]

Something to consider: I have two Hydra52s and don't run the red, violet, green, and uv channels very high -- 25-30% max and even lower for the uv. I'm not convinced the corals would notice a difference between what I run those channels at and 0%.

If at 0%, it's basically a SOL.

 

[drtrash]

How come so low? I get the red low but wouldn't violet help color?

 

[jasandenaw]

In the past two weeks I switched over to two Hydra 26's and replaced the t5 fixture that came along with my new setup. So far no troubles with the lights and I run them with the AI controller. Only thing I might've done differently is get the director instead of just the controller, not much more expensive and I'm assuming it would be a little bit easier to work with. But otherwise I'm loving the lights and would recommend them. Too soon to speak of coral color or growth but I have had great results with a different LED fixture recently, LEDs are the way to go, IMO.

 

[zibba]

How come so low? I get the red low but wouldn't violet help color?

Simply based on visual observation, not science. When I tried to run them higher, things didn't look as good.

 

[drtrash]

Like having a Ferrari and can't get it out of first gear. Will have to think about the upgrade, even with the 75watts, I don't use it all not sure what to do ith 135w. I do like to have the complete spectrum under one unit but $600 roof?

 

[zibba]

Like having a Ferrari and can't get it out of first gear. Will have to think about the upgrade, even with the 75watts, I don't use it all not sure what to do ith 135w. I do like to have the complete spectrum under one unit but $600 roof?

Very much like that.

I'm pretty sure Elliott is using Sols without upgrade. His tank is proof you don't need the spectrum: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2229215&page=12

The reasons I bought the Hydra52s and just bought 4 Hydra26s is because I think they provide a little more spread, resale value if I decide to go a different route will be higher, and I use the AI director.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with the Hydra52s. I just don't know if it's money well spent to upgrade. If you just want a Ferrari, go for it!

 

[drtrash]

Thanks for info, I'm a Ferrari guy so will upgrade at some point, thanks for info, your pics of Elliot's tank are awesome. Since I have a 60 cube don't need more of a spread but certain colrs are hard to achieve with just 2blues and yellow white