Aqua Illumination new clusters

[Tuan’s Reef]

I’m a tech junky always looking for the next best thing. Received an email today AI is getting new clusters for their lights. Hydra 26 is now hydra 32 , hydra 52 to 64 and prime hd to prime 16hd

Could the new lights new have better coverage the elusive uv channel in the 420nm?



AI Hydra 32HD & 64HD, AI Prime16HD & New AI Prime SOL
A New Generation of AI LED's have been Released! More LED's, More Color, More Power, More Redefined! The AI Hydra 26HD will be replaced by the new Hydra 32HD. The AI Hydra 52HD will be replaced by the new Hydra 64HD. The Prime HD will be replaced with the Prime 16HD. The Prime Sol will join the Prime line. The Prime Freshwater and Prime Fuge will also receive changes to optics, heat sink and LEDs although spectrums will remain largely unchanged.

What's New:
More LEDs
More Color
More Power
More PAR
More Spread
Improved Optic Design
Improved Water Resistance
Thinner Form Factor
Dedicated Moonlight Channel
Wider Spectrum (more channels)
AI Sol
A decade ago AI released the first aquarium LED light that proved LED technology was ready to grow coral - the AI Sol. With blue and white LEDs the Sol’s spectrum provides enough energy at the blue peaks while the white LEDs fill the rest of the spectrum that coral needs to survive and thrive.

 

[siggy]

 

[ca1ore]

Oh man, that made me spew coffee all over my keyboard …… very nice!!!!

 

[Codiak]

That's why everyone has the Hydra 26HD's on sale!

 

[CC13]

Any word if there will be an upgrade kit available for the people that have the 52HD units?

 

[lpsouth1978]

Any word if there will be an upgrade kit available for the people that have the 52HD units?

Not that I have seen. There is VERY little info out there on these new lights. They kept things super quiet and kind of just put them out. They are available as of today. Maybe they will do some kind of trade in program for current Hydra 26 or 52 owners.

 

[Reefcowboy]

I've owned the hydras and those gave me the best sps results among leds.
I didnt see the lens change, what's new?

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

I've owned the hydras and those gave me the best sps results among leds.
I didnt see the lens change, what's new?

Just about everything you love about this light is going to get better!

I really like my primes HD’s. The only issue I had with it was the disco ball effect was really bothering me. Zero problems with growth in corals with these lights tho

 

[CC13]

Not that I have seen. There is VERY little info out there on these new lights. They kept things super quiet and kind of just put them out. They are available as of today. Maybe they will do some kind of trade in program for current Hydra 26 or 52 owners.

Lol I bought the 52HD’s on the premise that AI came out and said they would be upgradable with future generations so I reallyyyyyy hope they didn’t change their mind.

 

[saltyhog]

Just about everything you love about this light is going to get better!

I really like my primes HD’s. The only issue I had with it was the disco ball effect was really bothering me. Zero problems with growth in corals with these lights tho

I bought some diffusers for my HD52's from 3D reefing....did away with the disco ball effect.

 

[lpsouth1978]

I think that these new updates will make them more like the Radeons. They are now utilizing TIR lenses and have LED's more closely resembling those used on Radeon. Keeping the same price point while providing more LED/spectrum, I think these will help push Ecotech (owner of AI) even further ahead of other LED Manufacturers (as far as popularity is concerned).

 

[JCrowe86]

Really wish they would have put out some kind of teaser to let potential buyers know this was coming down the pipe. I just purchased my primes about a month and a half ago and would have waited had I know these were coming. Not like they are cell phones where we know we're getting new models every year. Not that the primes aren't enough, but even if these are only marginal improvements I would still have liked to have it.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Any word if there will be an upgrade kit available for the people that have the 52HD units?

Yes!! This I want to know too! They make upgrade kits for the radions, why not the AI's

 

[CC13]

Yes!! This I want to know too! They make upgrade kits for the radions, why not the AI's

With how much the 52HD’s were there really is no reason why an upgrade kit shouldn’t be available. It would be a slap in the face to loyal customers imo.

 

[lpsouth1978]

Really wish they would have put out some kind of teaser to let potential buyers know this was coming down the pipe. I just purchased my primes about a month and a half ago and would have waited had I know these were coming. Not like they are cell phones where we know we're getting new models every year. Not that the primes aren't enough, but even if these are only marginal improvements I would still have liked to have it.

I am with you in a sense. I had 2 (of 4 needed) Hydra 26HD's for my 230.6. Now I will be buying 4 of the Hydra 32HD. I can't sell the 26's for as much now, because the price has dropped on new ones, so I am putting the 2 I have over my 40B. It is overkill, but the lights will never be a limiting factor for that tank.

 

[waywardreefer]

That's why everyone has the Hydra 26HD's on sale!

Just picked up 2 of 'em from BRS a few min ago. Also grabbed an AI Fuge Light while on sale. I plan on using the hydra 26's with a 36" AquaticLife T5 hybrid later as I collect all the pieces to my future tank...now just to wait for Black Friday and the Christmas sales to try and knab up some more! Piecemealing everything feels like collecting Pokemon

 

[CyberGuy]

When will the 64 HD be available for purchase? How many of the HD 64 do I need for a 4 ft x 2 ft. x 2 ft. tank, sps dominant?

 

[MERKEY]

@Jcrow86
Me too just bought 3 26's.

I'll ne taking a huge loss but I am getting the new ones. Someone will get a smoking deal on 3 26's used for 3 weeks hah

 

[NYG140]

I'm going to get rid of my Hyrda 26's also.

 

[lpsouth1978]

When will the 64 HD be available for purchase? How many of the HD 64 do I need for a 4 ft x 2 ft. x 2 ft. tank, sps dominant?

They are available now on most websites like BRS, Marine Depot, saltwateraquarium.com, etc. I would use 2 over your tank.