Lighting with hydras on a 75 gallon

noobreefer2 · Mar 28, 2020

Hi everyone,
I currently have a 75 gallon marinland corner-flow and was thinking about ordering 2 hydra 32s for my tank. I was going to start off with one light on the right side of the tank and get another one later. Currently I have a aquatica life revo strip light with white and blue leds (https://aquaticlife.com/products/aq...quarium-light-fixtures?variant=19608763039802) my tank is 48'' wide. I also have tops on the tank and I intend to keep them there. When I get the hydra 32 should I keep the strip light? what is a good mounting height? what is a good par level for the majority of the tank if I wanted a mixed reef (Sps, Lps, Softies)? what is a good mounting option? the width of the rim is .75 inches.
Thanks.

P.S some pics

45ZoaGarden · Mar 28, 2020

You could keep the strip while you’re waiting on the second hydra. The mounting arm should work just fine. I have my 26hd mounted 12” above my 26x21x19. Mounting height is mostly a matter of spread, if you have more than enough spread you could lower the light. As for par, I shoot for around 350-375 par at the top of the rock work and 175-200 par on the sand bed. Hope this helps

PatW · Mar 28, 2020

You might want to keep your strip light. LEDs tend to be very directional. Many people feel that having multiple LEDs dialed down a bit gives more even lighting.
Bulk Reef Supply just had a video on the AI lights, mounting height, spread, settings that you might want to check out.