Hydra 26 Hyper Drive

[RareEarthCorals]

This may b a dumb question but if the channel goes over 100% to say 135% isn't 135% really 100%? Kinda like going to a restaurant that dosent sell small instead they have lg, xl, &super lg is really small, xl is lg, and super is xl?

Or in the case of the old Hydra 26.

The old light was like going to a restaraunt and asking for Large and getting a medium, a large and getting a small, and a small and getting a extra small. The HD now lets me get what I ordered! Large for a large, medium for medium, and small for a small.

 

[acolotto]

Ok, tons of research and reading until my eyes were bloodshot. These setting will be my starting point, so it may not be were you want to be or reach your personal goals, but I feel it is best for me. Your results may vary.

UV 35 NM 300
Violet 35 NM 380
Royal Blue 60 NM 420
Blue 100 NM 460
(Chlorophyl B)
Green 20 NM 500
Deep Red 30
NM 620(Chlorophyl A)

Cool White 60 Full Spectrum

The will be a three month ramp up starting at 40% of the above spectrum ramping to 100% by month three.

Keep in mind this is for growth and not just looks. Im sure other settings will acheive a better look but will it acheive growth, health, and coloration? Please share!!!

I just got the Hydra 52 HD, my first adjustable LED, have you been getting your info based off how other users have used their Hydra 52s? Also are you using the acclimation mode for the ramp of 40% to 100% over the three month period (I was using 120w Taotronics non dimmable so i dont think ill need to really acclimate as they were getting blasted with light before hand)? And last question, what type of corals are you lighting? right now i just set mine up to a 14K look at around 70% ramping up to 90% midday and back to 70% by end day. But would like to have a more custom color and look thats best for growth and get best colors.

 

[RareEarthCorals]

I have a Hydra 26 not 52. The chart I came up with was from different user experiences, spectrum charts, colors best for photosynthesis, and breakdown of the full spectrum lights already used in the Hydra.

You can use the other color LEDs to supplement what is lacking in the full spectrum LEDs built in. Using the acclimation program will let you build up your intensity over time.

If your corals are accustom to 100% using 120w there isnt much more difference in 135w. I would still acclimate but over a shorter time like a month or so versus three.

I have acropora, blastos, hammers, leathers, bubble, goniapora, micromussa, mushroom, lobophilia, Acans, Zoas, Jackolantern, Ducans.

Finally take my advice as a starting point. Thats what I did taking advice from others, researching information, learning what lighting does and how best to use it. I formulated my own spectrum. Research and come up with your own.

Here is my write up on the Hydra cool whites and how they represent.

https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/LEDs-usage-and-accomplishing-your-goals.216614/

 

[acolotto]

Thanks man, yea im not changing anything in mine at the moment, but just want to see how your coming up with these numbers and determining which is best for your tank. Also i know you said you have a 26 but still going to be similar in how you are finding what setting you like. Im going about it the same way, just non stop looking at others settings in SPS tanks, and combining all the setting and seeing the different spectrum and look i get. But planning on leaving it what i have set now for at least a month to see, how my acros react, as i have the blues and colors ramped around 100% up but white maxing out at 45%. I want to know that it will keep my current colors (as i am very happy with the colors im getting now) before i try to adjust and see if i can get more colors and better growth from a different spectrum. I just wish there was more people who post pics of their tanks with what setting they run lol.

But a side note, this light is fricken awesome! Like i said this is my first dimmable and full spectrum lighting and the color pop and glimmer it puts off is amazing compared to the taotronics 120w with 27 whits and 25 blues lols

 

[RareEarthCorals]

Best of luck and Im glad to see your on the path to better understanding. So many times I get the question "what are your settings " versus "how did you get there?" I rather teach someone how to fish versus providing the fish.

 

[RareEarthCorals]

Forgot to post some photos, still haven't taken the hood off, lazy I guess.

 

[acolotto]

@RareEarthCorals is that the AI classic mounting rail kit? I ended up getting the one you mount behing the tank and bar comes up and over but i cant seem to get it to stay level, it seems the light unit is to heavy for the ext and leans at a slight angle, anyways i was scared away from the pne you are using because marine depot pics made it look like it would only be a couple inches above the water, how high does this hang your fixture over the water?

Also tank looks great!

 

[RareEarthCorals]

Yes, its 16 inches from the top of my corals about 9 inches from the top of the waterline, perfect. I have no complaints on the rail kit and they have different sizes. Thank you for the complement!

 

[RareEarthCorals]

Its time to discuss the Hydra 26 from a realtime user. I received mine days ago and have been admiring the light and how well my tank has been acting. My wife even said the corals seem to "pop" more and I received similar responses from friends that have stopped by.

As you may already know the hydra 26 HD is wireless, no more director or hooking up your lights everything runs from the app, well almost everything, more later. The HD stands for hyperdrive, although this is no enterprise it does impress. You can focus your power to other colors in the spectrum you wish to power up and not lose any intensity. 90 watts is 90 watts versus 60 or 75 once you adjust your spectrum on the older hydra models. Drivers can be pushed pass 100% allow you to use more Royal, Blue, or any color you wish. These are the real changes to the Hydra series, other than that they look exactly the same.

Once I settled in and installed the light I ran my spectrum and noticed that it clocked in at 75 watts. I elected to run my royal and blue pass 100% reclaiming my power. It does brighten it up quite a bit and my colors and plop extension is dramatic. I am very impress and the started my acclimation program to usher in my new lighting. We will see overtime how things develop on growth and color changes if any.

The app is My Ai and I have found it rather limited or maybe my inexperience with it. I am unable to (whether web browser or phone) set saved parameters. You can only save one program under the easy setup. Previous you could set up as many presets as you like. There is no user manual except for director and this seems to be different and not as user friendly. Maybe someone can help point out what, if anything, Im doing wrong. All other points are there easy setup, acclimation, storm, and lunar. Also a manual mode with allows spectrum selection and intensity. I just can find any way to save my presets.

Overall I am very happy and felt at a price tag of $349.99 it is a great value. If I could only save different parameters I would be 100% but 97% isnt bad. Please feel free to ask questions and I will answer the best I can, even photo request.

 

[RareEarthCorals]

 

[totion]

Nice review! On my ai on my phone or browser under the auto section of controls, it allows me to upload or download presets. Not sure if I can freely choose between them but I am able to upload different presets saved to my pc.

 

[RareEarthCorals]

Nice review! On my ai on my phone or browser under the auto section of controls, it allows me to upload or download presets. Not sure if I can freely choose between them but I am able to upload different presets saved to my pc.

Thank you so much, Use to be able to do a drop down under easy setup and save different parameters also rename them. I couldnt find it when logging in under my web browser versus the iphone.

 

[totion]

Hmmm. I am running a director with a 52,so maybe mine is different. I'm not at home to check but I do remember the drop down member.

 

[RareEarthCorals]

Ya, this light doesnt run on director since it is wireless on its own. I recall director was used to save settings and now it is saved on the Hydra directly so that may have something to do with it.

 

[Mattrg02]

Those uv and violet LEDs are really under 400nm are they? If so, that's interesting.

 

[RareEarthCorals]

Yes, The information I got was directly from the LED manufacture website.

 

[Mattrg02]

Yes, The information I got was directly from the LED manufacture website.

What's the power output of the uv LEDs? Last I heard, true uv LEDs were very rare.

 

[RareEarthCorals]

Several are manufactured by Semi LED, Hydra stops at 400nm for uv and 415nm for violet. I would consider the 400nm LED a deep violet. It is visible. True UV can be from 400nm to 100nm. 400nm is more efficient and longer wave. Anything below 380 would be useless. It would be considered a true UV. There are 4 in the 52 and 2 in the 26. They are 3watt.

 

[RareEarthCorals]

Thought I would post some plop extension shots...

 

[RareEarthCorals]