AI hydra 32. Using fill light

[Linehand83]

So I am currently working on my 75 gallon tank set up, 48”x16”x19” deep I have chosen to go with two AI hydra 32 lights. Going to start out with BRS mounting tips. My question is I’m worried about shadowing has anybody used the AI blades for fill light or any of the Orphik OR3. If you have a please share your thoughts, good bad or ugly.

 

[Spare time]

I wouldn't worry. Have you bought the hydras yet? There are much better options for the price (noopsyche, radion xr15, blade, etc.) Quite frankly, I am surprised anyone even buys hydras anymore.

 

[stoney7713]

So I am currently working on my 75 gallon tank set up, 48”x16”x19” deep I have chosen to go with two AI hydra 32 lights. Going to start out with BRS mounting tips. My question is I’m worried about shadowing has anybody used the AI blades for fill light or any of the Orphik OR3. If you have a please share your thoughts, good bad or ugly.

You'll get a dozen different answers on this.

In my experience, I wish I went with all Orphiks, but price kept me away. Now I'm supplementing my light fixtures with LED bars to lessen the shadowing and help the spread.

I really dislike the puck lights, yes they put out great par, but shadows like crazy from the cone shape of the light disbursement. I think they could be great in addition to other lights, to add more punch in areas.

Yes you get light reflecting up from the sand and bouncing off the glass, but it's not enough.

I have one LED bar just sitting on top of my light stand and it makes a huge difference. I still have shadowy areas, caves, and rock outcrops but the corners are no longer 10-20 par, I have 50-80 and can actually utilize more areas.

BTW BRS just done a YouTube on shadowing of lights and such, but I've felt this way for awhile.

 

[Linehand83]

I will have to watch I didn’t see that one!!!

 

[Linehand83]

I wouldn't worry. Have you bought the hydras yet? There are much better options for the price (noopsyche, radion xr15, blade, etc.) Quite frankly, I am surprised anyone even buys hydras anymore.

I didn’t have a lot of choices. , I won a $500 drawing at one of my lfs they have a AI and only a few others. It is a mom and pop shop. The lights have manufacturer date of 2023. So got one and got second one cheap. I did a lot of research I was really wanting to go 100% Orphek or3. But after hands on see. A semi local shop coral only shop they have 50 of them and in the last 1.5 yr having 10 of them to be replaced and the harshness of the companies warranty dept. I have went away from the idea as primary lighting. Still would use as secondary.

 

[Spare time]

I didn’t have a lot of choices. , I won a $500 drawing at one of my lfs they have a AI and only a few others. It is a mom and pop shop. The lights have manufacturer date of 2023. So got one and got second one cheap. I did a lot of research I was really wanting to go 100% Orphek or3. But after hands on see. A semi local shop coral only shop they have 50 of them and in the last 1.5 yr having 10 of them to be replaced and the harshness of the companies warranty dept. I have went away from the idea as primary lighting. Still would use as secondary.

Oh no worries then! Congrats on the drawing

@vetteguy53081 would have or3 advice

 

[doubleshot00]

I have the same lights but in a 90 same dimensions as your tank just deeper. Imo the BRS recommendations is a great starting point but will never got you where you want to be unless you get a par meter.

I had to lower my lights and add a light bar behind the hood in order to achieve good numbers.

Imo I would choose the 32s or the blades. Not both. Adding light bars though will definitely increase your par numbers.

 

[stoney7713]

I didn’t have a lot of choices. , I won a $500 drawing at one of my lfs they have a AI and only a few others. It is a mom and pop shop. The lights have manufacturer date of 2023. So got one and got second one cheap. I did a lot of research I was really wanting to go 100% Orphek or3. But after hands on see. A semi local shop coral only shop they have 50 of them and in the last 1.5 yr having 10 of them to be replaced and the harshness of the companies warranty dept. I have went away from the idea as primary lighting. Still would use as secondary.

Then get a couple AI blades to supplement the lights.

Whatever you choose will work, you could choose to use a couple T5s to fill in.

 

[stoney7713]

Or just use all AI Blades, if you haven't got the hydras yet.

 

[Spare time]

I will say the blades won't have the disco effect that the orpheks have and the blades also are in the same system as the hydras. However, the orphek idela mounting height is more similar to the hydras than the hydras are the to blades.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I will say the blades won't have the disco effect that the orpheks have and the blades also are in the same system as the hydras. However, the orphek idela mounting height is more similar to the hydras than the hydras are the to blades.

Agree- the coverage area will be No match for surface area and depth penetration and the led diodes much smaller that many diodes on the market. Orphek uses 5wt and I believe Icon even larger.
Not saying Ai blades are bad but you can get two Orphek OR3 (one sky blue and one blue plus) for price of a blade

 

[X-37B]

I run 4 xr15 blues on my 80g 48x24x16.
I run 4 16hds on my 45 36x24x12.

I like the color and look under the 16's vs the radions.

I would run the 32's and add another if your going to be sps dominant.
2 32's is a good start.
I run first 4 at 100% and the rest at 50%.
Never checked par and really need to get a meter.

 

[jsker]

I ran two AI Hydras 26hd's of my 72gal bowfront I had great growth but shadowing and less light in the center. I upgraded my lights more for technology. I am running three light now. Two GHL Mitras lx7 x 4 and one of my old Hydras in the center now.

I was considering running a hybrid setup with two T5's. I am happy were I am at now with the three lights.

 

[X-37B]

Here is a couple color picks of my 45.
Third is the old 20g 18" nano cube.
Great color and these are the lights that got me to switch all systems from halides to leds, so?
Shadowing goes away with more fixtrures.
Your 2 32's may be all you need.

 

[FlowGod]

I don't think you can go wrong with a t5 led hybrid. An aquatic life 48" fixture with non dimmable will be around $440.00. I think that the upgradeability with these fixtures are next to none. You can customize it for a softie tank all the way to sps dominated. Mine is quite a bit overkill with 2 kessil a80's, 3 ai primes in the center with 2 orphek or90 blue plus attached to the edges on the fixture, and my two banks of t5s. Since your tank will be 16" inches wide, the aquatic life fixture will come in 18" wide which will actually be good for light coverage for your application.

 

[X-37B]

I don't think you can go wrong with a t5 led hybrid. An aquatic life 48" fixture with non dimmable will be around $440.00. I think that the upgradeability with these fixtures are next to none. You can customize it for a softie tank all the way to sps dominated. Mine is quite a bit overkill with 2 kessil a80's, 3 ai primes in the center with 2 orphek or90 blue plus attached to the edges on the fixture, and my two banks of t5s. Since your tank will be 16" inches wide, the aquatic life fixture will come in 18" wide which will actually be good for light coverage for your application.

Ah the beauty of leds. No such thing as overkill as you can adjust the intensity down to meet your needs.
I ran t5's for years and they work real well. After running Orphek light bars I will never go back to t5's.
Anyone need a Giesemann 6 bulb unit that looks new, lol.

Now I get alot of overkill talk when I post this pic of my current 18" nano cube. Its about as overkill as it gets but it works, lol.

Well is it overkill,lol!

 

[FlowGod]

Ah the beauty of leds. No such thing as overkill as you can adjust the intensity down to meet your needs.
I ran t5's for years and they work real well. After running Orphek light bars I will never go back to t5's.
Anyone need a Giesemann 6 bulb unit that looks new, lol.

Now I get alot of overkill talk when I post this pic of my current 18" nano cube. Its about as overkill as it gets but it works, lol.

Well is it overkill,lol!

I love it, I would have that set up in a heart beat!
Here is my fixture, 36" aquatic life

 

[Linehand83]

Then get a couple AI blades to supplement the lights.

Whatever you choose will work, you could choose to use a couple T5s to fill in.

Lol. I was really thing of that. I am old school.. got out about 10 years ago. I was running 4x400 metal halide’s. With T-5’s.

 

[Linehand83]

Or just use all AI Blades, if you haven't got the hydras yet.

Still kinda gun shy of 100% blade. Talking with BRS rep. They are stilling having a lot of complaints about, not holding up.

 

[Linehand83]

Agree- the coverage area will be No match for surface area and depth penetration and the led diodes much smaller that many diodes on the market. Orphek uses 5wt and I believe Icon even larger.
Not saying Ai blades are bad but you can get two Orphek OR3 (one sky blue and one blue plus) for price of a blade

Kinda looking at the price point def agree