DIY AI Hydra 26 Light Diffuser

[._Z_.]

Are you still using the diffusers and do you recommend them?

I am still using it and would recommend for sure. I upgraded to a t5 led hybrid with the aquatic life hybrid fixture recently, even with the t5 bulbs I still went back and modified the diffuser to attach to my new fixture. Mostly because I really like the shimmer of the diffused led.

At the end of the day I guess it’s up to personal preference. If you don’t mind the disco ball effect then I might not recommend the trouble.

Here’s an updated picture of my light setup

 

[Gary Ellis]

Nice...Thank You...For the Hydra 26's are your standoffs 1/2" in diameter and 1" long. They don't look that size and I don't see that size on the link you provided. Unless I'm missing something.

 

[Gary Ellis]

There are 5 choices to choose from in the link for the standoffs. I'm not sure what the numbers are saying. Which ones do I need. Thank You

 

[iTread]

The reason I was thinking about it was to avoide the need for LED/T5 hybrid. Did you put the T5s in because you still dont think the spread was good enough with the diffusers? Or was your main reason for the diffuser just to avoide the disco ball effect?

 

[._Z_.]

Nice...Thank You...For the Hydra 26's are your standoffs 1/2" in diameter and 1" long. They don't look that size and I don't see that size on the link you provided. Unless I'm missing something.

Good catch, it appears the amazon link no longer goes to the correct part. The box for them actually has them as 12mmx25mm, which is about 1/2”x1”. So you’ll want to find some that are that size.

 

[._Z_.]

The reason I was thinking about it was to avoide the need for LED/T5 hybrid. Did you put the T5s in because you still dont think the spread was good enough with the diffusers? Or was your main reason for the diffuser just to avoide the disco ball effect?

I added t5 because I want to keep more sps and the single light source had a lot of shading in some parts of the tank. It was a hard decision deciding between adding a second hydra or the hybrid fixture. In the end I’m glad I went with the t5 approach.

The diffuser mostly improved aesthetics like the disco ball effect, there was some spread improvements, but not enough to work miracles.

 

[._Z_.]

For anyone just tuning in, @Gary Ellis brought to my attention the original purchase links in my first post may no longer be correct. The description of the parts in my post should still be accurate though!

Here’s an updated FTS with my Aquatic Life T5 hybrid fixture. I’m running 2 blue+, a purple+ and a coral+. I’m using the shorter width on the fixture (16” I think?) for my jbj rl-45. This shorter width means the hydra doesn’t quite fit right. I had to cut the diffuser down a bit to get it to fit, and only two standoffs are accessible to hold it.

 

[Gary Ellis]

I built these diffusers and honestly I don't see any difference. I bought the black standoffs

 

[._Z_.]

I built these diffusers and honestly I don't see any difference. I bought the black standoffs

They turned out great, sucks that they didn’t make any difference for you.

I would expect you to notice at least some difference. Maybe they need more sanding or taller standoffs? Or it could be that the two lights are already blending pretty well.

Do you have before and after pictures of your sandbed? Was the disco ball effect very noticeable to begin with?

Sorry to hear it seemed like a waste for you.

 

[Gary Ellis]

Maybe I thought they were suppose to stop the flickering on the sand bed. What is the disco ball effect?

 

[._Z_.]

Maybe I thought they were suppose to stop the flickering on the sand bed. What is the disco ball effect?

Disco ball effect is the almost tv static look on the sand bed where you can see individual spots of color bouncing around. Typically we try to minimize this effect. I think this is the flickering you’re talking about.

Shimmer is the natural wavey shadow lines from the water movement you’ll also see in the sandbed, this is what the sea floor naturally looks like and reefers typically like this look.

The diffuser should reduce the disco effect a good bit, raising your lights may also help

 

[Gary Ellis]

Well then I guess it's working. I don't see it. I don't think the disco ball effect ever bother me. lol