AI Hydra FiftyTwo settings thread

[cugly]

Originally Posted by tmc1313

What about green? Where do you have that set?

sorry forgot about the green I have it at 30

[125mph]

Originally Posted by cadmanof50s

125mph, what do you mean when you say you have "lowered the photo period"?
Do you mean the intensity of the individual colors as opposed to the overall intensity?

Just means instead of having the daylights on for 11 hours in the day, I have them on for 7 hours in the day,...

With the 11 hour setup, I had the lights ramped up in 4 hours, which means the light is maxed for 3 hours and under the max for the other 8 hours.

With the 7 hour setup and rampup of , the lights are maxed for for only 1 hour and under the max for 6 hours.

Basically, the current changes I made make the light more intense at max but overall the amount of light hitting the corals over time is much less.

[cyphoma]

I would really like to pick one of these 52's up but couldnt afford two. I have a 4'x2' footprint. Do you think I could run one 52 (lengthwise in center) along with two T5HO and it be adequate? Mixed reef- mostly LPS now, some SPS.

[mypepper]

If you raise the Hydra 52 to around 16" AWL, you should have ample coverage for one fixture.

Just make sure your live rock and corals are in the middle of your tank and or 6" from each side on the tank.

Have a good evening,
Randy

[cadmanof50s]

Thanks for the clarifications (125mph and shlap).

I'm hoping this next question will not deviate too much from the main thread...(if so kindly remove this response.)

What are most of the Hydra52 owners using for control?
I am personally using my Apex...BUT I also have the AI Director. (I have tried both). There are some differences between the two as far as control, capabilities and features. The Apex has some advantages, while the Director has its advantages.

Just curious.

Vic

[cugly]

I just use the ai controller works just fine for me.

[tmc1313]

Originally Posted by cugly

I just use the ai controller works just fine for me.

^^^+1
I'm using the new controller and I think it's great. I like not having to connect to a PC. If I want to tweak something, the controller is super quick and easy. The old controller was a bit of a pain, but the new controller with the touch pads is really nice.

[shlap]

I love the control I have with the Director. My intensity/color charting is pretty crazy. I always have a laptop or tablet in the living room in front of the tank so using a separate device works fine for me.

[mario420]

I've been running my AI 52's since mid December. Upgraded from SOL blue. Huge Difference Corals love them.

12-5 (5hr ramp) 70%- Violet, Blue, Deep Blue
1:45 - 5 (3hr ramp) 70% - Royal Blue
3:20 - 5 (1hr 40 ramp) - White 45% Red 65% Gr 65%
8 - 9:30 (1hr 30 ramp) - Ramp All Down except Royal to 1 %

So Far everything is doing perfect. Actually thinking about increasing the power a little bit.

Have a few SPS, a clam, rest lps and zoa's.

Lights are 10" AWL. Covering 30x30x24 Cube.

Sorry about the poor picture quality. Taken via Iphone camera never comes out clear with LED lights.

[Slm222]

how has everyones corals been doing with these lights? Namely SPS. But as well SPS and softies. Im searching for the perfect setting. I have a 52 10" AWL. Currently have it on acclimation at 50% for 4 weeks. everything is on the sand. After that I will put the corals where I want them and do another acclimation mode.



Maxes:
Blues 80
UV 50 Peaks at 55
Violet 48
Green 40
White50

[Slm222]

Any thoughts or advice is welcome

[125mph]

New settings.. I must say, the lights have really acclimated well and the corals are doing so well, the best tank conditions I've had since starting the tank 3 years ago!

DAY/NIGHT
W 33/ 0
V 47 / 0
R 33 / 0
G 33 / 0
Db 69 / 1
Rb 69 / 1
Uv 47 / 1

3 Hour ramp
11am - 6pm

[shlap]

Originally Posted by Slm

Any thoughts or advice is welcome

Slm, it looks like you may have deleted your original post but I see it in my inbox. My SPS is doing great so far. They've all kept their color since switching from T5s on 12/26/13 and the blue leds bring out more fluorescence in everything. I think getting your hands on a PAR meter is really important so that you can map out light intensities throughout the tank as I've done on page one. For the first few days I started out in acclimation mode but once I saw how the PAR readings compared to my old T5 setup, I cranked blues up to 100% and whites up to 80 with no ill effects. Even with those settings im not getting as much PAR as I did with just a 6 bulb sunpower. Granted I only have 2 52s. I could use a 3rd.

[Slm222]

Any updates on settings?

[cadmanof50s]

SLM222, I have been using more or less an equal blend of colors. I tried to stay conservative on the UV so I don't burn the corals. And I use sunset and sunrise to change from 0 intensity to 80% (except for UV and red).
I've had mine since mid-December and I have definitely noticed growth on my Monti's..my open brains are much puffier but haven't actually seen alot of growth. Zoas are healthier.
Now, do not mistake this for advise...as I really have no idea what the right blend is...but this is what I used and thats what I see.
In fact, I've been hoping that someone will provide the magic formula for these Hydra52....but I got the feeling there isn't one. I think we're just gonna have to play and play until we get a spectrum and a pattern that works for our individual setups.

Vic

[Slm222]

Anyone have any issues with the red and green growing excess algae

[Decadence]

Originally Posted by Slm222

Anyone have any issues with the red and green growing excess algae

Red and blue spectrums will promote algae growth, as will iron, copper, potassium and any number of other heavy metals. No matter what you have to promotor growth, there are nutrients necessary for growth. Remove these nutrients and you will inhibit the algae from growing.

[Goofy393]

I'm enjoin ell the feed back but is it possible to add a screen shot, or two, of these setting as in the Navigator screen. I want to make sure I'm understanding what is said about ramping up and the %'s.

thanks.

[Knishfish]

I'm planning my next system. It will be primarily SPS with a bit of LPS. 210 gallons - 7' x 2' x 2'. How well do you think I will do with 3 Hydra 52's? Should I configure them evenly spaced, end - to - end? Thanks for your advice.

[Decadence]

Originally Posted by Knishfish

I'm planning my next system. It will be primarily SPS with a bit of LPS. 210 gallons - 7' x 2' x 2'. How well do you think I will do with 3 Hydra 52's? Should I configure them evenly spaced, end - to - end? Thanks for your advice.

You would be better off running four of them with the ends facing forward.

So far I think that they are a little lacking on the blue channels so I actually am running two hydra52s and two sol superblues over my 90g SPS tank to get better colors.

[DasCamel]

Originally Posted by Decadence

You would be better off running four of them with the ends facing forward.

So far I think that they are a little lacking on the blue channels so I actually am running two hydra52s and two sol superblues over my 90g SPS tank to get better colors.

They have two sets of blue channels, still feel it's not enough? Just curious what's the problem your having?

[Decadence]

Originally Posted by DasCamel

They have two sets of blue channels, still feel it's not enough? Just curious what's the problem your having?

The hydra52 has 16 cool whites, 12 royal blues and eight deep blues. The sol blue has eight whites, eight royal blue and eight deep blues. The hydra52 is very white on comparison because it has a 4:5 ratio of white to blue vs the 1:2 of the sol blue. The addition of green an reds make the appearance even closer to white due to the RGB effect. I was supplementing with T5s to get a bluer light but wound up buying some sols and wifi adapters to control them in te same sun up-sun down manner. White channels on both lights are dimmed very low and all of the blues are higher. Multiple lights also mean for less shading which is good.

[DasCamel]

Originally Posted by Decadence

The hydra52 has 16 cool whites, 12 royal blues and eight deep blues. The sol blue has eight whites, eight royal blue and eight deep blues. The hydra52 is very white on comparison because it has a 4:5 ratio of white to blue vs the 1:2 of the sol blue. The addition of green an reds make the appearance even closer to white due to the RGB effect. I was supplementing with T5s to get a bluer light but wound up buying some sols and wifi adapters to control them in te same sun up-sun down manner. White channels on both lights are dimmed very low and all of the blues are higher. Multiple lights also mean for less shading which is good.

I guess I'm indirectly doing the same rebalancing keeping my whites lower and raising the blues.

I find it kind funny everyone is always looking for "ideal" settings. Unfortunately ideal for everyone has variance based on height, size, type of corals, etc. So many options, makes experimenting fun.

[Knishfish]

Are most supplementing with other lights or are most content with turning down the whites? I had assumed that the Hydra 52 could replace my 250 W MH and Super Actinics. Is this assumption correct?

[Jimbojames]

Im going to be setting up 3 on my brand new tank, 72 x 24 x 30. Going to be mixed reef zoas and sps mainly.

How do u guys feel about the lights?
What settings are working best? How long are you guys letting them run?