What's comparable to hydra hd

[morgan175]

Is there a light that might be comparable to the ai hydra hd. I'm not to current with the knock offs but was wondering if there is one that is similar. I do like the write up not sure want to drop 1800 to light my tank.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

As far as par out put I'll assume.
Surprisingly , it's the Chinese black boxes. So no frills it would be $90 each. Wifi is $125. Sbreeflights is my favorite. A brick and mortar out of Florida.

Some of the BBs are probably 2 or 300 more par at the same 12in distance in the ai manufactures specs.

 

[mcarroll]

Is there a light that might be comparable to the ai hydra hd. I'm not to current with the knock offs but was wondering if there is one that is similar. I do like the write up not sure want to drop 1800 to light my tank.

I'm also not totally sure what criteria you're wanting to be similar. "Knock off" sorta implies a similar build. Ecotech and Kessil spring to mind, but you're not leaving the price bracket on either of those options, if that's one of your criteria.

In case you haven't considered other options, remember that a spot-light style fixture (including black boxes) is not the only way to light a reef. Consider strip lights too. You can hit about any style or price point you'd like between all the options out there.

Let us know a little more about what you like (or don't like)!

 

[morgan175]

I have 250 halides with blue led strips now over my 180. Just thinking of trying something new. I will probably end up dropping the money for the hydra hd 52. 3 of them.

 

[jda]

Depending on what you are keeping under those MH, you might need more than three. They don't spread like reflectors do and are more of spotlights. For large colonies or stuff that can shadow, you can sometimes double what a manufacturer recommends to cover a 2x2 area.

The wide panel LEDs like AcrOptics, PacificSun or Reefbreeders cover better with less shadows, but blend light worse. There is trade off with any kind of current LED - the spotlights/point-source like Hydra, Kessil & Radion really shadow badly, but blend colors well.

I am not an LED guy for my acropora, and a fanboy of none of them, but you are really just paying for features - even the cheaper Chinese ones with a myriad of colors will get pretty darned close to the others. The fanboys of each type will say otherwise, but they do use them... so I digress...

 

[mcarroll]

I have 250 halides with blue led strips now over my 180. Just thinking of trying something new. I will probably end up dropping the money for the hydra hd 52. 3 of them.

IMO you'll want more than three of those for the reasons described above. Just in case the shadows bother you, I'd be prepared to add double the number of fixtures. I also think the 52's are overkill for a 24" deep tank...I'd much rather have 26's and more fixtures.

Considering this is the direction you're thinking in, I'd give a serious look at the Kessil options as well as GHL's spotlights.

I'd be hard-pressed to pick, but I think I'd go with the Kessils out of those options. Check out their 360's and 700 model. Depending on your needs and budget I'd use 3-6 360's or at least 2 AP700's.....thee+ 700's would probably be very ideal.