AI Hyrda HDs with Radion brackets - SEXY

Centerline · Oct 12, 2016

So if your like me and you love the way the Radion brackets look but would rather run AIs here is a nice clean way to use the Radion brackets on your AIs.

I did this by removing the swivel and milling off the arms that attach to the Radion. I then drilled the swivel and tapped it into the bar below it. That was made of 1/4" mild steel that is drilled on each end to match up with the existing holes that the AI uses for its hanging kit. I used a couple of 5/8th standoffs to make sure the AI still had plenty of air flow and that was that!

Her is a picture of how they look on the tank. Please excuse the mess... its a project morning

Jdeleon · Oct 12, 2016

Have you seen the aqua allumination rail kit for hydras? I gotta say one of the best designs I've seen yet other than the bracket that comes on red seas E series

Jdeleon · Oct 12, 2016

Those radios brackets are slick thou

Jdeleon · Oct 12, 2016

I have pics if you want to see just didn't want to high jack

Centerline · Oct 12, 2016

Jdeleon said:
Have you seen the aqua allumination rail kit for hydras? I gotta say one of the best designs I've seen yet other than the bracket that comes on red seas E series

Ya, those rail kits are very nice and there are a bunch of extrusion option that might work with them. What I REALLY like are the Prime tank mounts. Unfortunately those are made of .20 and I'm fairly sure they would sag a little with the Hydras.

Centerline · Oct 12, 2016

Jdeleon said:
I have pics if you want to see just didn't want to high jack

Who doesn't love pictures

Post em.
BTW if you like that style check out these guys. https://8020.net/
They make and sell all sorts of profiles and you can do some crazy stuff with it.

Jdeleon · Oct 12, 2016

I warned you,

Jdeleon · Oct 12, 2016

Designed where the wire isn't exposed one bit

Centerline · Oct 12, 2016

Jdeleon said:
I warned you,

Ya man, those look great!

Centerline · Oct 12, 2016

Jdeleon said:
Designed where the wire isn't exposed one bit

Very clean, I need to move the wires on mine. Just one too many little projects at the moment

PlanB · Oct 21, 2016

Jdeleon said:
Designed where the wire isn't exposed one bit

Curious, can those be mounted without moving the tank away from the wall?

Jdeleon · Oct 22, 2016

PlanB said:
Curious, can those be mounted without moving the tank away from the wall?

Yes that's how I installed mine, they are designed to where all the work is done from the inside of the stand.

Centerline · Oct 24, 2016

Jdeleon said:
Yes that's how I installed mine, they are designed to where all the work is done from the inside of the stand.

So those attach to the stand itself from the inside. Very nice. Does the aluminum profile sag at all were the horizontal flange attaches or is it nice and square?

Jdeleon · Oct 24, 2016

Centerline said:
So those attach to the stand itself from the inside. Very nice. Does the aluminum profile sag at all were the horizontal flange attaches or is it nice and square?

Yes sir, the back up nuts to the bolts are built into the vertical pieces so their is no need to do anything behind the stand besides line up the holes. they don't sag one bit. I can take more detailed pics this evening if your interested in seeing some. Both pieces are held together by machine bolts at the flange.

PlanB · Oct 26, 2016

@Jdeleon how do you like the Hydra 26's? I also have the 525 reefer, so wondering if you think 3 of the 26's are sufficient for a reef tank, or if you would go for 4 ultimately?

Jdeleon · Oct 27, 2016

PlanB said:
@Jdeleon how do you like the Hydra 26's? I also have the 525 reefer, so wondering if you think 3 of the 26's are sufficient for a reef tank, or if you would go for 4 ultimately?

I like the hydras, a lot actually. I think 3 does ok very little shadows witch I also like for some coral that requires less lighting. depending on your scape 3 lights gives you more options for coral placement. I may be completely wrong but I think with the lights spread apart a little more then their is a little less intensity in some areas in the center of the tank vs what you would mostly get on most tanks where it is intense in the center and a little less intense on the ends. Not sure if that makes any sense at all.

PlanB · Oct 27, 2016

Jdeleon said:
I like the hydras, a lot actually. I think 3 does ok very little shadows witch I also like for some coral that requires less lighting. depending on your scape 3 lights gives you more options for coral placement. I may be completely wrong but I think with the lights spread apart a little more then their is a little less intensity in some areas in the center of the tank vs what you would mostly get on most tanks where it is intense in the center and a little less intense on the ends. Not sure if that makes any sense at all.

Helps a lot, thanks!