Kessil diffusion optical kit on AI Hydra 26HD

eutimio · 04/20/2017, 04:26 AM

Does anyone have this Kessil diffusion kit on their AP700?
If so, would you guys mind posting exact size of them?
I'm looking to purchase a kit and install it on a Hydra 26HD, to get rid of that static tv effect and blend colors a bit better. Not that they are bad by any means, but improvements can be made...

I am interested in outer dimensions as well as frosted disc measurement...looks really close in terms of dimension of the Hydra pucks.

As for a way to mount them, I see that bottom of the Hydra is plastic, but if the Kessil rings don't stick(I dont expect them to...) I am thinking of taking the light apart, gluing 2 thin pieces of metal right around the ring and that way the magnets will stick no problem....or maybe 2 pieces of magnets...I'll have to figure it out once I open up the light.

Anyway, sorry for the long post, it just seems like a good idea for better color blending and less static tv look, maybe even eliminate that.

oreo57 · 04/20/2017, 06:38 AM

Think outside the box..............
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...D&A=details&Q=
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...=REG&A=details
Secondly, Hydra has 4 outside case screws.. so getting a piece of diffusion plex or the like (comes in various strengths and "orientations") cut to the dimensions of the Hydra and longer case screws and done..

http://www.fusionoptix.com/films/diffusion-films/
https://www.curbellplastics.com/Rese...r-LED-Lighting

ktownhero · 04/20/2017, 11:06 AM

I have them and can measure them when I get home later. They would easily stick just using some velcro tape, no real need to take apart your light. It's just a matter of whether they fit over the pucks appropriately. Just venturing a guess, I would say that the diffuser part of them is maybe 2"-3" in diameter.

slief · 04/20/2017, 01:18 PM

I don't think it will work. I just dropped a Hydra off with a friend yesterday and the clusters were significantly larger. Granted that was a Hydra 52. I just measured a set of the diffusers I have here using my caliper for you.

The inside diameter is: 43mm or 1 11/16". The outside diameter of the whole thing is 78mm or about 2 7/8". There are little flanges that stick out on each side for a max width of 90mm. If you clusters are larger than 43mm, then these won't work.

ca1ore · 04/20/2017, 02:02 PM

Plus, I think the 'problem' is not really solved with a diffuser. These lights need bigger reflectors in order to broaden the light source; otherwise it's sending beams wider but still from a single 'point' source. Absent bigger reflectors, the only real answer IME is to have more lights.

oreo57 · 04/20/2017, 02:07 PM

Dobt if the Hydra puck diameter is less than 2 1/4"

eutimio · 04/20/2017, 02:10 PM

Thanks for the measurements. The Hydra pucks are exactly 2", so it won't work.
Maybe the filters posted above would work , although I'm not sure how well, but they are pretty cheap, I might give them a try.
Thanks everyone!

eutimio · 04/20/2017, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Plus, I think the 'problem' is not really solved with a diffuser. These lights need bigger reflectors in order to broaden the light source; otherwise it's sending beams wider but still from a single 'point' source. Absent bigger reflectors, the only real answer IME is to have more lights.

Coverage is excellent , well for a 24" at least(hydra 26hd) , I just wanted less shimmer, surface agitation is pretty wild on my tank.

Hentz · 04/20/2017, 06:43 PM

I'm also pretty impressed with these lights. I have one that 11" off my water line on my Reefer 170. Here are the PAR readings

smatter · 04/21/2017, 07:30 AM

Your sand looks like rainbow camouflage. Nice numbers though.

eutimio · 12/08/2018, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hentz

I'm also pretty impressed with these lights. I have one that 11" off my water line on my Reefer 170. Here are the PAR readings

Sorry to resurrect this old thread but what intensity are these PAR values taken at?
I also played with various frosted acrylic diffusers only to be dissapointed not necessarily how the light is diffused but the look of them. I just want something that looks factory fit and finish. AI needs to step up their game. Since they’re one with Ecotech , and the Radions have the diffusers already out, are we going to see diffusers for the Hydras anytime soon?

04/20/2017, 06:38 AM	#2
oreo57 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,793	Think outside the box.............. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...D&A=details&Q= https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...=REG&A=details Secondly, Hydra has 4 outside case screws.. so getting a piece of diffusion plex or the like (comes in various strengths and "orientations") cut to the dimensions of the Hydra and longer case screws and done.. http://www.fusionoptix.com/films/diffusion-films/ https://www.curbellplastics.com/Rese...r-LED-Lighting Last edited by oreo57; 04/20/2017 at 06:45 AM.

04/20/2017, 01:18 PM	#4
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	I don't think it will work. I just dropped a Hydra off with a friend yesterday and the clusters were significantly larger. Granted that was a Hydra 52. I just measured a set of the diffusers I have here using my caliper for you. The inside diameter is: 43mm or 1 11/16". The outside diameter of the whole thing is 78mm or about 2 7/8". There are little flanges that stick out on each side for a max width of 90mm. If you clusters are larger than 43mm, then these won't work. __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

04/20/2017, 02:02 PM	#5
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Plus, I think the 'problem' is not really solved with a diffuser. These lights need bigger reflectors in order to broaden the light source; otherwise it's sending beams wider but still from a single 'point' source. Absent bigger reflectors, the only real answer IME is to have more lights. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

04/20/2017, 06:43 PM	#9
Hentz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 2,016	I'm also pretty impressed with these lights. I have one that 11" off my water line on my Reefer 170. Here are the PAR readings __________________ A Reef in the Desert: 120 Gallon (4x2x2) - MP40 x2 - Gyre 130 - ATI Sunpower - Simplicity Pump/Skimmer - Controlled by Apex

04/20/2017, 11:06 AM	#3
ktownhero Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 1,426	I have them and can measure them when I get home later. They would easily stick just using some velcro tape, no real need to take apart your light. It's just a matter of whether they fit over the pucks appropriately. Just venturing a guess, I would say that the diffuser part of them is maybe 2"-3" in diameter.

04/20/2017, 02:07 PM	#6
oreo57 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,793	Dobt if the Hydra puck diameter is less than 2 1/4"

04/20/2017, 02:10 PM	#7
eutimio Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 102	Thanks for the measurements. The Hydra pucks are exactly 2", so it won't work. Maybe the filters posted above would work , although I'm not sure how well, but they are pretty cheap, I might give them a try. Thanks everyone!

04/21/2017, 07:30 AM	#10
smatter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,055	Your sand looks like rainbow camouflage. Nice numbers though.