AI Hydras for 180g

[jmt1030]

Hi all,

I'm thinking about switching over from T5 to LEDs and I'd like to go with the Hydras.

What would the recommendation be for a mixed reef 180g (6x2x2)?. It's not a ton of SPS, but do have maybe 5 pieces of SPS in the tank.

I was thinking either 3 FiftyTwo or 4 TwentySix.

Thanks!

 

[HotRocks]

Hi all,

I'm thinking about switching over from T5 to LEDs and I'd like to go with the Hydras.

What would the recommendation be for a mixed reef 180g (6x2x2)?. It's not a ton of SPS, but do have maybe 5 pieces of SPS in the tank.

I was thinking either 3 FiftyTwo or 4 TwentySix.

Thanks!

My 4x Hydra 26's are plenty. I have a rimless though.

@4FordFamily has 3x Hydra 52s over his standard 180, they are turned way down.

To answer your question, either option will work, it may just take some time getting them adjusted properly.

 

[jmt1030]

My 4x Hydra 26's are plenty. I have a rimless though.

@4FordFamily has 3x Hydra 52s over his standard 180, they are turned way down.

To answer your question, either option will work, it may just take some time getting them adjusted properly.

Thanks! Can I do with less lights then?

 

[mcarroll]

4 TwentySix.

Without knowing why you're switching, I'd also suggest looking at LED strips such as Current USA's IC Pro set. One or two sets (two or four strips) would be good for most any coral....two sets if you specifically want a high-light setup for some reason like clams. The light will be much more similar to what you have now vs the Hydras, but will still give a lot more shimmer than what you're replacing.

Unless you've seen lights like the Hydra's in person (ie. spotlights) you might be surprised at how different they look – lots of shadows, shimmer lines, very dramatic. IMO that's "good different" not "bad different" but it seems to be a factor one way or the other for people, so something to be aware of.

If you really like T5 light and just don't want the bulb changes and would like sunrise/sunset action, then strips are a much more logical retrofit.

You might be looking for a bigger change though, and that's fine too. Four 26's is how I'd do that....five would be even better if the budget isn't an issue. Coverage would improve, etc.

 

[4FordFamily]

I mounted my Hydra 52 HDs sideways with makeshift brackets screwed in to my canopy. They’re probably at 70-75% power now. It may be overkill particularly considering what I keep but it’s a nice even distribution, for what it’s worth— albeit overkill.

A rimless 4-5 26 will for sure do,

But for a rimmed tank you have to consider the center brace. If you do 4 or 5 Hydra 26 HD the braces block some of the light leaving dark spaces. Something to consider and why I landed on three fixtures (52 HD)

 

[jmt1030]

Without knowing why you're switching, I'd also suggest looking at LED strips such as Current USA's IC Pro set. One or two sets (two or four strips) would be good for most any coral....two sets if you specifically want a high-light setup for some reason like clams. The light will be much more similar to what you have now vs the Hydras, but will still give a lot more shimmer than what you're replacing.

Unless you've seen lights like the Hydra's in person (ie. spotlights) you might be surprised at how different they look – lots of shadows, shimmer lines, very dramatic. IMO that's "good different" not "bad different" but it seems to be a factor one way or the other for people, so something to be aware of.

If you really like T5 light and just don't want the bulb changes and would like sunrise/sunset action, then strips are a much more logical retrofit.

You might be looking for a bigger change though, and that's fine too. Four 26's is how I'd do that....five would be even better if the budget isn't an issue. Coverage would improve, etc.

I currently have an 8 bulb T5 with some actinic LED supplement, but I feel like the light is kinda boring. It's very flat, which, while being good for coral and growth, makes the tank look dull, in my opinion.

I'm willing to sacrifice a little growth for a nicer looking tank with some more contrast and shimmer. I know that might be almost sacrilegious, but the tank is one of the focal parts of my living area so the way it looks is important to me.

 

[mcarroll]

I currently have an 8 bulb T5 with some actinic LED supplement, but I feel like the light is kinda boring. It's very flat, which, while being good for coral and growth, makes the tank look dull, in my opinion.

I'm willing to sacrifice a little growth for a nicer looking tank with some more contrast and shimmer. I know that might be almost sacrilegious, but the tank is one of the focal parts of my living area so the way it looks is important to me.

Nah, that's a perfectly valid position....T5 light is dead and lifeless.

That doesn't make it bad and it doesn't make it unnatural, but it also means you don't have to like it.

IMO, T5 light is very much reminiscent of deep water light. Most of the light-effects are attenuated or missing entirely once you get so deep.....in fact, light eventually becomes directionless to corals at a certain depth....so much scattering has happened that light doesn't really pass over head anymore....it just fades on and fades off.

Spotlights (and to some extent, LED's generally) bring some of the surface effects, so that's the kind of sunlight they remind me of – lots of strong shadows, wave lensing, et al.

Which, again, nobody has to like....but it is pretty naturalistic, so why not?

Corals
Since your corals have a say in this, but have too many mouths to speak, I'll speak for them.

Having more pucks than less will make this less of a transition for them.

Measure the lux or PAR levels at the surface of the tank under T5's and try to make your new setup mimic those level as closely as you can.

It's not a bad idea to mimic the color as closely as you can too. Maybe even the lighting scedule, including ON/OFF vs sunrise/sunset.

Even with all that "try" it will still be a transition for them...so when you make more changes, I'd stage them out to always keep the short term impact as small as you can. (Don't let color be one of the things you keep adjusting though....settle on color ASAP.)

 

[Amps Reef Life]

Hey, I currently run 4x Hydra 52 HD's on my 180 (6X2X2) but I also run T5's over the tank. I really enjoy the hybrid and I get really good color. The tank has been up for about 5-6 months now but the build was also a tank upgrade from my previous tank. All the sps in the tank is new that did not come from my previous tank. My last tank Also ran this hybrid setup but with Hydra 26's. Pictures below of my lights and my tank so that you can see my setup. Let me know if you have any question I'd be happy to help or share any experiences I have had. I would vote to go for the Hybrid build If you can.

 

[jmt1030]

Hey, I currently run 4x Hydra 52 HD's on my 180 but I also run T5's over the tank. I really enjoy the hybrid and I get really good color. The tank has been up for about 5-6 months now but the build was also a tank upgrade from my previous tank. My last tank Also ran this hybrid but with Hydra 26's. Pictures below of my lights and my tank so that you can see my setup. Let me know if you have any question I'd be happy to help or share any experiences I have had.

Looks AWESOME! Thanks for posting.

 

[Amps Reef Life]

Looks AWESOME! Thanks for posting.

Thank you. Good luck on what you decide. Hydra's are super nice lights and easily controlled by the app on your phone.

 

[Laith]

If you're looking for good PAR numbers, the manufacturer's recommended number of units over X area is fine. However, I've found that with LEDs you need more units than the recommended amount if you want good coverage and minimize shadowing. Or go with a hybrid T5/LED solution.

I have two Hydra 52 HDs over a 250l tank (100cm x 50cm x 50cm), mounted lengthwise...

Great lights by the way. Just remember that once you find a setting that works (start with settings that have worked with other reefers), keep your fingers away from those sliders on the app! Each change of setting will take three to four months for the corals to adapt to. I think the main reason some people have problems growing corals when they switch to LEDs is that they are changing the LED settings (% and spectrum) every other week or every month, just because they can : the corals have no chance to adapt and really show whether the will thrive under the new spectrum.