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05/24/2015, 09:00 PM | #151 |
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HYDRA 26 or 52
I’m interested in the AI HYDRA 52 and AI HYDRA 26 and need some advice. My tank is a 65G 36”L, 24D, 18W with 40lbs of live rock. Do I need to two 52’s or can I do two 26? If you have other recommendations I'm all ears!
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05/26/2015, 10:48 AM | #152 |
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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! |
06/06/2015, 03:40 PM | #153 |
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I am looking for advice as well . . .
I would like to light a mixed softie reef 6' long 24" deep. What would be your recommendation? (2) 52's or (3) 26's? Thank you |
06/08/2015, 12:16 PM | #154 |
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06/11/2015, 08:46 AM | #155 |
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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!
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06/11/2015, 12:38 PM | #156 |
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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. |
06/17/2015, 08:20 AM | #157 |
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I am having a new tank of 72 x 30 x 30 with 2 bracing
I am thinking of 3 hydra 52 Should I put in this - - - or | | | |
06/17/2015, 10:27 AM | #158 | |
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Quote:
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. |
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07/07/2015, 12:26 PM | #159 |
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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 |
07/07/2015, 01:09 PM | #160 | |
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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. |
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08/13/2015, 08:59 PM | #161 |
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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.
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Lets Go Mountaineers WVU Audi Sport/ACNA/NEQ Current Tank Info: 40 BR w/20L sump |
08/14/2015, 11:51 AM | #162 | |
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08/18/2015, 09:12 PM | #163 |
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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
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Lets Go Mountaineers WVU Audi Sport/ACNA/NEQ Current Tank Info: 40 BR w/20L sump |
08/19/2015, 10:06 AM | #164 | |
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Quote:
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. |
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08/19/2015, 08:18 PM | #165 |
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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.
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Lets Go Mountaineers WVU Audi Sport/ACNA/NEQ Current Tank Info: 40 BR w/20L sump Last edited by mushumatt; 08/19/2015 at 08:27 PM. |
08/20/2015, 11:04 AM | #166 | |
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08/20/2015, 11:53 AM | #167 |
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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?
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Lets Go Mountaineers WVU Audi Sport/ACNA/NEQ Current Tank Info: 40 BR w/20L sump |
08/20/2015, 12:11 PM | #168 | |
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08/21/2015, 10:07 PM | #169 |
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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. |
08/21/2015, 10:40 PM | #170 |
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Hi MD,
I have a 48Lx30Wx20T What would recommend 3x 26's or 2x 52's. also lights will be monted in a canopy.
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Exray Current Tank Info: New Setup Comin Soon |
08/24/2015, 09:55 AM | #171 | |
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08/24/2015, 09:59 AM | #172 | |
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08/27/2015, 07:59 PM | #173 |
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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 . |
10/02/2015, 04:41 PM | #174 |
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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.
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10/02/2015, 05:17 PM | #175 |
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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 |
Tags |
ai hydra, aqua illumination, fiftytwo, hydra fiftytwo, marine depot |
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