Hydra 26 spectrum help

Angelo Fatica · Sep 21, 2018

Hey guys, I am planning on buying a hydra 26 for my 20 gallon nuvo tank if my t5 ballast doesnt work out. I was wondering if any of you that had experience with using them could tell me if the blue channels alone provide enough par for a mixed tank? I like a super blue/actinic look and was wondering if the blue channels would be sufficient on their own. I believe I'll have the light about 6 to 8 inches from surface. Any help appreciated, thanks!

rsumner · Sep 21, 2018

I run 3 Hydra 26's on my 108 gallon display with the following settings:

UV: 60%
Violet: 59%
Royal: 40%
Blue: 40%
Green: 2%
Deep Red: 2%
Cool White: 9%

I wouldn't think you'd need much more than an AI Prime on that little 20 gallon rather than the Hydra 26, but if I were you, I'd probably go bigger too. Check out the Signature Series section of the AI website to get profiles from different reefers. You can even download their settings and easily upload it to yours to see how you like the spectrum.

Angelo Fatica · Sep 21, 2018

rsumner said:
I run 3 Hydra 26's on my 108 gallon display with the following settings:

UV: 60%
Violet: 59%
Royal: 40%
Blue: 40%
Green: 2%
Deep Red: 2%
Cool White: 9%

I wouldn't think you'd need much more than an AI Prime on that little 20 gallon rather than the Hydra 26, but if I were you, I'd probably go bigger too. Check out the Signature Series section of the AI website to get profiles from different reefers. You can even download their settings and easily upload it to yours to see how you like the spectrum.

If I were to start running the lights, what is a good timing for the acclimation period? I'm running led black box right now and I dont think it's nearly as bright as the 26. I dont want to try my corals right off the bat[emoji23]

Angelo Fatica · Sep 21, 2018

Angelo Fatica said:
If I were to start running the lights, what is a good timing for the acclimation period? I'm running led black box right now and I dont think it's nearly as bright as the 26. I dont want to try my corals right off the bat[emoji23]

Fry*

Js.Aqua.Project · Sep 21, 2018

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ai-hydra-26-hd-spectrum-setting.326618/

Edit:

Angelo Fatica said:
If I were to start running the lights, what is a good timing for the acclimation period? I'm running led black box right now and I dont think it's nearly as bright as the 26. I dont want to try my corals right off the bat[emoji23]

Hydras have an acclimation mode that is built into the software and you can access it either through the myAI app or when directly connected.

I would set your lights to your desired setting and then turn on acclimation mode at 40% (means 40% of what ever you set the lights to) for at least 3 weeks duration.

rsumner · Sep 21, 2018

Angelo Fatica said:
If I were to start running the lights, what is a good timing for the acclimation period? I'm running led black box right now and I dont think it's nearly as bright as the 26. I dont want to fry my corals right off the bat[emoji23]

I'm not an expert on acclamation, but, in my opinion, the only reason you need to consider acclamation is if your putting your coral through a significant change in lighting. This sounds like what you're concerned about. Most things I've read on the topic would suggest a 2 week acclamation which is really easy to do on the Hydra 26. There's an acclamation mode where you define the start and end date and the light will gradually increase the intensity over that time resulting in the final intensity that you have defined in your auto-schedule.

Angelo Fatica · Sep 21, 2018

rsumner said:
I'm not an expert on acclamation, but, in my opinion, the only reason you need to consider acclamation is if your putting your coral through a significant change in lighting. This sounds like what you're concerned about. Most things I've read on the topic would suggest a 2 week acclamation which is really easy to do on the Hydra 26. There's an acclamation mode where you define the start and end date and the light will gradually increase the intensity over that time resulting in the final intensity that you have defined in your auto-schedule.

Got it, thanks! Do you have any pictures of your set up over your tank with these lights?