Hydra 52 HD

AmandaT · Mar 28, 2017

We have a 54 gallon reef tank. Recently we purchased a Hydra 52 HD. I don't feel as though the lighting levels are set correct to get the most growth. Please advise. Right now we are at 39% on all colors across the board. Something isn't right. Thanks in advance!

donnievaz · Mar 28, 2017

You'll probably want to back the UV, Green, and Red off to about half of your Blues, Violet and Cool White then adjust them to taste. You definitely don't want that much UV, Red, and Green.

cromag27 · Mar 28, 2017

I personally think green and red are useless. I have uv set pretty low. mostly rb with a little blue and white.

donnievaz · Mar 28, 2017

cromag08 said:
I personally think green and red are useless. I have uv set pretty low. mostly rb with a little blue and white.

I agree as far as the health of the coral but they can help bring out some of the colors when used sparingly.

cromag27 · Mar 28, 2017

True, but too much and the entire tank will look goofy. I'm somewhat old school though, and I don't remember the last time I saw a red or green t5 bulb.

donnievaz said:
I agree as far as the health of the coral but they can help bring out some of the colors when used sparingly.

AmandaT · Mar 29, 2017

Im clueless with this. I pay a guy to take care of our aquarium but I dont feel like what he has going on the controls with the lighting is right. Im at 39%on UV, V, RY, B, G, DR, and CW. What should these numbers be? Im lost...

donnievaz · Mar 29, 2017

Try this and see how you like it. I purposely kept the intensity low because I don't want to be responsible for you frying any corals LOL.

UV 10%, V 15%, RY 50%, B 25%, G 5%, DR 5%, CW 25%.

AmandaT · Mar 29, 2017

You are awesome! Thanks

donnievaz · Mar 29, 2017

donnievaz said:
Try this and see how you like it. I purposely kept the intensity low because I don't want to be responsible for you frying any corals LOL.

UV 10%, V 15%, RY 50%, B 25%, G 5%, DR 5%, CW 25%.

You can also lose the green and red all together if you want.

AmandaT · Mar 29, 2017

Ok- thanks!

Emmagmrtz · Mar 29, 2017

cromag08 said:
True, but too much and the entire tank will look goofy. I'm somewhat old school though, and I don't remember the last time I saw a red or green t5 bulb.

Ever look at your spectrum when buying bulbs? Probably not as 15k or white bulb has red and green

AmandaT · Mar 29, 2017

Emmagmrtz said:
Ever look at your spectrum when buying bulbs? Probably not as 15k or white bulb has red and green

You are speaking crazy... Lol- I know nothing about it. Sad- Im trying to educate myself the best I can. What are your suggestions?

Emmagmrtz · Mar 29, 2017

cromag08 said:
True, but too much and the entire tank will look goofy. I'm somewhat old school though, and I don't remember the last time I saw a red or green t5 bulb.

There you go.