Hydra 26 HD lightning help.

[Matt56]

I have always been trying to make my own spectrum with the hydra 26 HD lighting fixtures but can never get it right. I currently have a red sea reefer 425XL 22inches deep 47 inches in length and a width is 22.6inches. I have 2 hydra 26 HD’s as my lighting on the tank. If anyone has any schedules for me to try or help it would greatly be appreciated. I currently have a few LPS corals but would like to move onto SPS in a few months if possible.

 

[don_chuwish]

I haven't played with manual settings much because it is so easy to get and load other people's *.aip files. On the Aqua Illumination Facebook group you can download from the Files folder, or even just go to https://www.aquaillumination.com/lightsciences/signature-series and try the files offered there. I'm currently using the Leon Tan file and like the look - not super crazy blue and not too intense. But on another tank with a Prime HD I'm using a file from the Facebook group called BRS_AB+.aip. I modified it a little.

 

[DaneGer21]

Go with the AB+ and be done IMO

 

[Softhammer]

I run triple 52HDs and totally agree with Dane above. Dont reinvent the wheel. BRS has some fantastic postings about setting those up.

 

[Matt56]

BRS_AB+.aip

This is what I found from a Facebook page is this the correct one? If so how should I change it? And how does high UV% effect the tank?

 

[Matt56]

Go with the AB+ and be done IMO

This is what I found from a Facebook page is this the correct one? If so how should I change it? And how does high UV% effect the tank?

I haven't played with manual settings much because it is so easy to get and load other people's *.aip files. On the Aqua Illumination Facebook group you can download from the Files folder, or even just go to https://www.aquaillumination.com/lightsciences/signature-series and try the files offered there. I'm currently using the Leon Tan file and like the look - not super crazy blue and not too intense. But on another tank with a Prime HD I'm using a file from the Facebook group called BRS_AB+.aip. I modified it a little.

 

[Matt56]

I run triple 52HDs and totally agree with Dane above. Dont reinvent the wheel. BRS has some fantastic postings about setting those up.

Is that the correct spectrum and if so what should I change?

 

[IslandLifeReef]

Is that the correct spectrum and if so what should I change?

Looks right. I wouldn't change anything. You may want to add another light though. The AB+ schedule runs on the lower end of the PAR spectrum. Rent a PAR meter to be sure.

 

[Matt56]

Looks right. I wouldn't change anything. You may want to add another light though. The AB+ schedule runs on the lower end of the PAR spectrum. Rent a PAR meter to be sure.

What are the effects of having very high UV lighting?

 

[lost66]

I am not very good with facebook. Can someone link this brs aip file?

 

[DaneGer21]

Here’s my rendition of the AB+, I added in low spots. Pic 1 is the “normal” AB+ settings, Pic 2 is the “low/cloud” settings which is a 15% drop. Pic 3 FTS(haven’t finished my stand yet).

I have my lights at 14” AWL and have checked par settings with a probe from BRS rental. I have 4-Hydra 26hd’s and a 48” aquatic life hybrid fixture, 2-blue+ and 2-actinic over a 60”x36”x24” tank.

6-7” BWL I am getting 300-350+ par in those areas on top of my arch.

Remember the AB+ settings are max settings! It then matters how high your lights are! Hence my description above

 

[Matt56]

Here’s my rendition of the AB+, I added in low spots. Pic 1 is the “normal” AB+ settings, Pic 2 is the “low/cloud” settings which is a 15% drop. Pic 3 FTS(haven’t finished my stand yet).

I have my lights at 14” AWL and have checked par settings with a probe from BRS rental. I have 4-Hydra 26hd’s and a 48” aquatic life hybrid fixture, 2-blue+ and 2-actinic over a 60”x36”x24” tank.

6-7” BWL I am getting 300-350+ par in those areas on top of my arch.

Remember the AB+ settings are max settings! It then matters how high your lights are! Hence my description above

This is what I found for the AB+ file so I’m just assuming yours is correct any chance you can link the file please?

 

[Matt56]

Here’s my rendition of the AB+, I added in low spots. Pic 1 is the “normal” AB+ settings, Pic 2 is the “low/cloud” settings which is a 15% drop. Pic 3 FTS(haven’t finished my stand yet).

I have my lights at 14” AWL and have checked par settings with a probe from BRS rental. I have 4-Hydra 26hd’s and a 48” aquatic life hybrid fixture, 2-blue+ and 2-actinic over a 60”x36”x24” tank.

6-7” BWL I am getting 300-350+ par in those areas on top of my arch.

Remember the AB+ settings are max settings! It then matters how high your lights are! Hence my description above

I see the difference between mine and yours you have all the drops however I don’t think the drops are part of the normal AB+ please confirm and are there any drawback of running UV at 100%. And what are the advantages of having drops and rises throughout the schedule.

 

[DaneGer21]

Correct, I added in the drops. Visually you can’t tell as it happens, but to me the sun is never 100+ out all the time. There’s usually a passing cloud or something. Sorta gives the coral a rest.

I understand if you don’t want my program, but I’ll try to load both the original and mine

DaneAB+.aip

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Below are the actual settings for both the 26&52

 

[IslandLifeReef]

Here’s my rendition of the AB+, I added in low spots. Pic 1 is the “normal” AB+ settings, Pic 2 is the “low/cloud” settings which is a 15% drop. Pic 3 FTS(haven’t finished my stand yet).

I have my lights at 14” AWL and have checked par settings with a probe from BRS rental. I have 4-Hydra 26hd’s and a 48” aquatic life hybrid fixture, 2-blue+ and 2-actinic over a 60”x36”x24” tank.

6-7” BWL I am getting 300-350+ par in those areas on top of my arch.

Remember the AB+ settings are max settings! It then matters how high your lights are! Hence my description above

For the OP, @Matt56, this user has 4 lights over a 60 inch long tank plus 4 T5 bulbs and is getting 300-300+ PAR 6 inches below the water line. You have a 47 inch tank and are running 2 lights. @DaneGer21 only has 13 more inches, yet is running 2 more Hydras than you plus he is running T5 bulbs. If you are considering anything other than low light corals, you might want to consider how many lights it takes to get enough PAR running the AB+ schedule. There are other schedules out there that produce more PAR on these lights. Not knocking the AB+ program, I run it myself, but I too added T5 bulbs to help with the PAR.

 

[Matt56]

For the OP, @Matt56, this user has 4 lights over a 60 inch long tank plus 4 T5 bulbs and is getting 300-300+ PAR 6 inches below the water line. You have a 47 inch tank and are running 2 lights. @DaneGer21 only has 13 more inches, yet is running 2 more Hydras than you plus he is running T5 bulbs. If you are considering anything other than low light corals, you might want to consider how many lights it takes to get enough PAR running the AB+ schedule. There are other schedules out there that produce more PAR on these lights. Not knocking the AB+ program, I run it myself, but I too added T5 bulbs to help with the PAR.

Once I decide to make a step into SPS and have a lot I will be buying a ecotech XR30 pro or should I get a hydra 64 instead? I will one day move to 3 ecotech xr30 probably if not 3 hydra 64’s but until then I will keep it like this

 

[IslandLifeReef]

Once I decide to make a step into SPS and have a lot I will be buying a ecotech XR30 pro or should I get a hydra 64 instead? I will one day move to 3 ecotech xr30 probably if not 3 hydra 64’s but until then I will keep it like this

Your original post said you were going to move into SPS in a couple of months. IMO, you will struggle with SPS unless you run a program with more PAR, or add more lights. Just trying to save you frustration and money in the future.

 

[Matt56]

Your original post said you were going to move into SPS in a couple of months. IMO, you will struggle with SPS unless you run a program with more PAR, or add more lights. Just trying to save you frustration and money in the future.

Of course however I will for sure be upgrading to hydra 64’s or ecotech XR30 pro’s once I start getting a lot of SPS.