View Full Version : AI Hydra 26 or 52?
scar79
06/30/2014, 02:31 PM
Looking to get either three AI Hydra 52s or 26's. Two will be used over a DSA 135 (48x24x27) SPS dominant along with 4 54w ATI T5 tubes. The other will be the lone fixture over a 24x24x24 cube with LPS and softies. What do you all think?
Thanks!
scar79
07/01/2014, 07:50 AM
bump!
AudiSportB5S4
07/01/2014, 09:32 AM
Bump dammit!
Donkeykong
07/01/2014, 09:57 AM
Since you are going to have 4 T5's along with them you could probably get away with just the 26's for the 4 foot tank to save a bit of cash, but I would go with the 52 for the cube. If you ever decide to remove the T5's you will have to upgrade the 26's as they will not be enough alone on the 4 foot tank.
scar79
07/01/2014, 11:59 AM
I'm coming from SOLs so I'm hoping I'll be pleasantly surprised by the spread on either of these fixtures. From there I will consider removing the T5s when it comes time to order new bulbs... which is coming up in a month or two actually. Thanks for the input
Donkeykong
07/01/2014, 12:36 PM
Since you are planning on removing the T5's I would definitely go with the 52's. Had you switch the lens out on your Sol's? I know it was a huge difference when I switched to the wider len's, was very happy with them on my 4 foot tank after that. I have not run the Hydras personally but have seen a few tanks with them on and they seem brighter with better coverage compared to the Sol's.
scar79
07/01/2014, 01:07 PM
I they have the regular lenses, but I've never been impressed with the brightness (despite their ability to cook coral) so I've always paired them with halides or T5s, which also mask the disco ball effect of the SOLs, Vegas and regular Hydras.
Donkeykong
07/01/2014, 01:23 PM
Brightness to our eyes are not the same with Halides and LED's. That is one of the reasons that so many people had issues when LED's first started being used. So many people would switch over and since the LED's weren't "bright" like the Halides they would either kick up the intensity or add more fixtures which led to many fried out coral.
dukduk
07/01/2014, 06:55 PM
The used prices for the 52s are close to the 26 new. Just saying. I think ppl are anticipating something new at MACNA.
ThreeMoneyJ
07/01/2014, 07:08 PM
Personally I would use 52's and supplement with t5's. I say that because that's what I'm doing!
mattmann88
07/03/2014, 06:34 PM
I would Go with the 52s
grigsy
07/03/2014, 08:51 PM
SPS dominant tank?
Neither.
Get two 250 watt metal halides with good reflectors.
You will spend way less on those as you do three Hydra 52 and you will have much better coral growth and better color from your SPS.
jubjub47
07/04/2014, 12:19 PM
SPS dominant tank?
Neither.
Get two 250 watt metal halides with good reflectors.
You will spend way less on those as you do three Hydra 52 and you will have much better coral growth and better color from your SPS.
Spend way less to spend way more later is an awful suggestion.
grigsy
07/04/2014, 12:22 PM
Spend way less to spend way more later is an awful suggestion.
Nope - just offering an alternative - and a better one in my opinion.
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