Upgraded from AI SOL SuperBlue to Hydra

[jbraslins]

I've upgraded two of my AI SOL SuperBlue fixtures that hang above my 55g tank to Hydra. From reading online, it seems Hydra pucks have a very broad spectrum and include UV/Violet. It's also now wireless with AIs wireless controller (which is kind of crappy), but can also work with upcoming AI Director.

I took some pictures during the upgrade, figured I'd share if someone is interested:

AI SuperBlue cover off, board removed:

Old SOL Superblue 3 LED pucks removed (Blue, Deep-Blue, Cool White):

SOL -> Hydra upgrade kit in a box:

Ooo, shiney:

Hydra upgrade kit:

New 5-led pucks (two middle pucks have red/green/uv/violet leds, two outside pucks have cool white, blue and deep blue):

Mounting new pucks:

Installing new board (note the wireless add-on card up top):

All done:

I'll post some tank shots later and my impressions after a few days.

Cheers.

 

[RLM60]

Thanks for posting this thread. I have the same lights myself and have been debating which upgrade to go with and have been leaning toward getting the hydra myself.

 

[ReeferAl]

where did you get the upgrade kit? I can only find the complete fixtures for sale.

 

[jbraslins]

where did you get the upgrade kit? I can only find the complete fixtures for sale.

Directly from AI. It's in their online parts store. Same for SOL -> Vega kits.

 

[cuse1]

I'm debating as well,,,, how do you like the upgrade?

 

[vanisher]

Bump for results.

 

[Dapg8gt]

Do you feel it's brighter than the original you had? Seems like it's a lot of purple in pics and videos is it that overpowering of a purple color over the tank?

 

[jbraslins]

So I ended up running my fixture in Fiji regional profile, with max intensities of everything at 100% except red/green, which I have set at 60%. Night mode I have UV 1%, Violet 1% and Deep Blue 1%. Night time looks pretty amazing.

So far my impressions are mixed bust mostly positive:

Pros:
- Better and more uniform overall tank coverage, wider optics help for sure
- Addition of UV and Violet LEDs make fluorescent bits pop more without drowning non-fluorescent colors.
- Green and red LEDs at half the intensity of other LEDs works great and shows off more coral colors

Cons:
- Overall I do not think the lights are as bright as my SOL SuperBlues. Hydra at everything at 100% to my eye seems to have same intensity as my SOLs did around 60%. Given, I never ran SOLs higher than 60% as it would start to stress my corals. Please take this bit with a grain of salt, as looks may be deceptive. A par meter would really tell.

- Red and Green LEDs at same intensity as the rest produce a bit of red/green disco ball effect. At half intensity, it's not noticeable and lighting looks more uniform.

Undecided:
- Visually tank coloration is warmer. Dialing red down helps dial out the red/light purple tint. I can't tell if I like it or not, it's just different from what my SOL SuperBlues looked like. I don't dislike it, but I am not wowed either.

- What is going to make or brake this upgrade is finding out if broader light spectrum and addition of UV helps coral coloration/growth. Will need a few month to tell.

 

[jbraslins]

Do you feel it's brighter than the original you had? Seems like it's a lot of purple in pics and videos is it that overpowering of a purple color over the tank?

It def has a purple hint to it if you run all LEDs at same intensity. Dialing down red and maybe UV/Violet during the day helps with that.

 

[jbraslins]

Some pics. It's a 20" tall tank. Lights are 6" above ground. Mixed reef with tons of softies and few SPS. Very new to SPS and so far was able to keep some successfully, but ALK is not stable enough for acros Going to rectify that in my new 125g with dosing pumps and controller.

I noticed Clam got a ton more coloration/color variations since I upgraded to Hydra.

 

[jrsevy]

Just ordered the Hydra upgrade kits

Just ordered the Hydra upgrade kits

I have a 140 gallon reef and have 4 Sol Blue hanging above. I was thinking of updating for awhile and the Hydras sold me. The one thing I don't like about the Sol Blue is that my pink Bird's Nest and Pink Pulsing Xenias only look pink around sunset as the lights dim in easy profile firmware 2.2. I'm sure there are other colors I'm missing. Looking forward to getting these in 1-2 weeks.

I did by 4 power supplies too because the ones I have are only rated to 72 watts. Was thinking of buying Mean Well drivers (CEN-100-36) but they cost twice as much as the AI ones for $25 ea. in the upgrade package. My AI ones run hot and are plastic vs. aluminum for better heat dissipation. I'd also rather mount the power supplies with screws, which the Mean Well drivers have with mounting tabs. I'll use 3M auto molding tape on the AI drivers to an aluminum plate and hope they don't fall off as they warm up.

I had a tough time deciding whether to go with the Vega or Hydra update. Thinking the Hydras will make things pop with UV and ultraviolet.

Here is a pic of my tank:

 

[Fish Biscuit]

I am thinking of getting these for a 40 breeder. With the tank being so shallow, what would you kids recommend for the height of the lights above the tank? I'm not looking to run the intensity at 100% either.

Right now I have LPS under a 10k power compact so I know I will have to go slow with getting them acclimated. My goal is to keep LPS & a few clams.

 

[chappy121]

Bump for more updates. Considering upgrading my 3 sols on my 90g.

 

[jrsevy]

Update: Got am email from Justin at AI that my order was cancelled for unforeseen circumstances. What? I called him and apparently the AI order system cancels automatically if they don't ship prior to their estimated ship date. I thought this would be a good time to reconsider whether to continue with this order or change the upgrade to Vega. Justin said the Hydra had much better color than the Vega and I have read that the Color Vega has huge disco effect issues. The Hydra disco is not as bad, I also read. Anyway, I'm getting the Hydra tomorrow. I'll post my impressions later.

 

[jrsevy]

I have my four Sol Blue now converted to Hydra. The colors are much better now. Pink is now pink, greens are greener and purple looks like when I had T8's installed a couple of years ago. I think the upgrade was worth it. I was using the latest firmware in easy setup mode for the Sol Blue with the suggested output maxing at 80%. I have dialed down the Hydra to Max white at 55% but still playing with various settings. Hoping that AI will have a better suggested light setting then 80% across all LEDs with a future firmware update for Hydra. When they updated for the Sol Blue, I couldn't come close to that manually. The blue light was much better by AI settings.

The one thing that is different, other than mentioned above, is that the hue is more violet than blue. I like it though.

 

[Relativity]

Is that a sword tail in the photo?

 

[Reefer94]

Update: Got am email from Justin at AI that my order was cancelled for unforeseen circumstances. What? I called him and apparently the AI order system cancels automatically if they don't ship prior to their estimated ship date. I thought this would be a good time to reconsider whether to continue with this order or change the upgrade to Vega. Justin said the Hydra had much better color than the Vega and I have read that the Color Vega has huge disco effect issues. The Hydra disco is not as bad, I also read. Anyway, I'm getting the Hydra tomorrow. I'll post my impressions later.

Strange that they would tell you that, since the Vega upgrade has both 415nm Violets and the diffuse optics. Mine looks fantastic, no disco going on, and I simply can't imagine this thing being more purple lol. UV is great and all but I think the 415nm Violet and the UV is just too much. Also, if you absolutely have to have the UV on the Vega you can do so, whereas the Hydra "is what it is."

Either way, they are both great lights. The Hydra looks awesome from the pics I've seen.

 

[chad p]

Following this closely. I'm considering going from Sol Blue to Hydra. I like my Sols but I'm convinced that a couple corals (Palmers Blue milli & GARF purple bonsai) aren't coloring due to spectrum issues.

So is it safe to say that if I upgrade to Hydra I can no longer control my fixture with my Apex module? If that's the case that's a bummer.

 

[zachfishman]

Is that a sword tail in the photo?

I see it too! :eek1:

 

[915MANG]

Nice was it easy to understand?