Upgrade Hidra52 to Hydra26HD - Worth it?

Smotz · Oct 19, 2016

'Lo all.

If money wasn't an issue would it be worth it to upgrade (if you can call it that) from 3 x HYDRA 52 (non HD) to 3 x HYDRA 26HD ?

This would be over a 120g (48 x 24 x 24).

Thoughts?

majorstare · Oct 19, 2016

Wouldn't have thought 3x 26HD's would be enough over your tank.

143MPCo · Oct 19, 2016

IMHO...

This comes down to what you plan to keep in the tank. Assuming, yes I said "assuming", don't start with me Joe

, that you're going for SPS, I would say go with the 52. I admit it's a little over-kill for your sized tank; but you kind-a-need a large amount of light so it reached the bottom of the tank without max the intensity out to 100%. Hey you said "If money wasn't an issue" so for the money you won't need to worry about having too little light.

As you might already know LED's tend to send light more of less straight down, heck if the $$$ is not an issue I would go with 4 fixtures even with the 52's. Keeping in mind on how high you want to mount them above your tank will also dictate coverage. Higher = more coverage, but you'll get less light in the tank, Lower = more intensity but the pay off is less coverage.

....one more thing, before I forget (age can cause that issue in more more these days), you might also want to factor in the cost of a controller or director for the Hydras, so don't forget to include that in.

Smotz · Oct 19, 2016

majorstare said:
Wouldn't have thought 3x 26HD's would be enough over your tank.

supposedly they cover 24 x 24

Smotz · Oct 19, 2016

143MPCo said:
IMHO...

This comes down to what you plan to keep in the tank. Assuming, yes I said "assuming", don't start with me Joe, that you're going for SPS, I would say go with the 52. I admit it's a little over-kill for your sized tank; but you kind-a-need a large amount of light so it reached the bottom of the tank without max the intensity out to 100%. Hey you said "If money wasn't an issue" so for the money you won't need to worry about having too little light.

As you might already know LED's tend to send light more of less straight down, heck if the $$$ is not an issue I would go with 4 fixtures even with the 52's. Keeping in mind on how high you want to mount them above your tank will also dictate coverage. Higher = more coverage, but you'll get less light in the tank, Lower = more intensity but the pay off is less coverage.

....one more thing, before I forget (age can cause that issue in more more these days), you might also want to factor in the cost of a controller or director for the Hydras, so don't forget to include that in.

I already have 3 x Hydra52s with the director - I have an opportunity to get 3 Hydra 26HDs (the newer generation) and I am on the fence if it is worth it.

143MPCo · Oct 19, 2016

Smotz said:
I already have 3 x Hydra52s with the director - I have an opportunity to get 3 Hydra 26HDs (the newer generation) and I am on the fence if it is worth it.

Does the current lighting system fill your needs?