T5 and LEDs help me decide

[SDboatguy]

So, I'm currently running 6x54w ATI bulbs with a LET retro kit,but I'm thinking about mixing in some LEDS. I'm leaning towards removing 2 of the T5s and getting a couple Hydra LEDs . My question is 3x hydra 26 or 2x hydra 52 ? I was planning on running them "end to end"down the center line. My tank is 60x18x20 and has a canopy , so the lights will be about 5" off the top of the tank (6"off the water). Im planning on SPS but will have a bit of everything ...any info on these lights or my plan is greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Ben.91]

I would shoot for at least 10-12 inchs off of the water line and I'll be runngung the same set on my 75 build coming up! 4 t5s and 3 hydra 26

 

[ReefCowboy]

Hydra 26's all the way. More watts per led than the 52's, and you can space them better avoiding crazy hot par zones.

 

[Hentz]

I'm with ReefCowboy. Best bet would be Hydra 26's.

I ran the combo Hydra 26HD x3 and 3 T5 Bulbs. Worked amazing and my SPS absolutely loved it. Granted this was over a 36" tank, well over-kill.

If you go the HD version of either the Hydra 26 or 52, let me know. I'll send you a link for the profile a few of us are testing that mocks the Ecotech Marine's SPS AB+ Profile, which seems to be a pretty big hit for SPS.

 

[ReefCowboy]

Wow hentz, i ran the same size tank with the only difference I ran 2 T5's with 3x Hydra 26's.
Sps indeed did really well. Leds w T5's are indeed a great match

 

[SDboatguy]

Thanks for the input guys. I did go with 2x 26hds , getting a third one in a month or so. Doing a major overhaul on the rock and corals ,$$$ I'm running 2x54w blue+ and 2 coral+ for now with the Hydras set to one of Wazzel's settings ( blues @60,white 25,uv&v 50 ,gr& r in the 40s) after I get all my rock work done I'll mess with the settings again. I'm only keeping a LARGE frogspawn, some riccordia yuma's , and some pom pom Xenia so there's not a lot a acclimate...

 

[gus6464]

Hydra 26's all the way. More watts per led than the 52's, and you can space them better avoiding crazy hot par zones.

How is the Hydra 26 more watts per LED than the 52? The pucks are identical according to AI site and the 26 has 2 pucks instead of 4. Unless of course I am missing something.

 

[SDboatguy]

Wattage at the wall hydra 52hd -135w. The 26hd is 90w