Aquatic Life Hybrid Help needed.

[lpsouth1978]

I am in the process of getting everything gathered to get my Waterbox 230.6 running as a reef tank. I currently have 5 Hydra 26 HD that I can put in an Aquatic Life fixture, but the longest they make is 61" while the tank is 72". Do you all think that using the 61" light would work well on the 72" tank?

The other option is to just use the Hydras spread across the back of the tank. The only issue with this is that my custom lid was made to only accommodate 4 lights. I would either have to seriously modify the lid, leaving big holes all along the back, or scrap the lid all together and DIY or have a new one made. Please give me your thoughts and recommendations!

 

[RichtheReefer21]

I am in the process of getting everything gathered to get my Waterbox 230.6 running as a reef tank. I currently have 5 Hydra 26 HD that I can put in an Aquatic Life fixture, but the longest they make is 61" while the tank is 72". Do you all think that using the 61" light would work well on the 72" tank?

The other option is to just use the Hydras spread across the back of the tank. The only issue with this is that my custom lid was made to only accommodate 4 lights. I would either have to seriously modify the lid, leaving big holes all along the back, or scrap the lid all together and DIY or have a new one made. Please give me your thoughts and recommendations!

Do you have an aquascape laid out yet? May not need the full length if you keep the rockwork "offset" from either end. 6" on each end gives u a 12" net gain for the reach.

Plus the light cone from the hydras will extend out further than the t5s and cover u. I need a 3rd 26hd if u decide u wanna drop one.

 

[LBReefer]

I have the 61" over a 6' now with 4 kessils and I get plenty of coverage. I think you will be fine.

 

[dwest]

Me too. I have the 5 ft aquatic life hybrid on my 180 with kessil 360’s. Works wel.

 

[lpsouth1978]

Thanks for the responses. I ended up ordering an HMS rail mount kit. I found that for only about $80 more than the AL hybrid and bulbs, I was able to get the HMS rail mount kit, rail, Hydra brackets, screen top kit and cutout, and skimmer.

I think having 5 Hydras will be plenty, especially since I plan on having most of the scape toward the middle of the tank (front to back) to provide lots of swimming space. I either have everything for the build or it has been ordered (except a couple non-essentials). I will continue to update my progress here.

 

[SDboatguy]

Should work great. Lots of tanks run fixtures shorter than the overall length of the tank. I run 48” T5s with hydras on a 60” tank. If its me- place a hydra at each end as far apart as possible, space the remaining fixtures evenly. Might even be able to go with 4 instead of all 5, unless you can mount them perpendicular to the T5s( l l l l l vs. — — — —) If that’s possible even better!