Do 2 Primes make a Hydra 26?

Orsamax · 03/18/2019, 03:24 PM

Howdy all. I have 2 AI Prime (non-HDs) over my 40 gal nuvo. I have heard that the Hydra 26 is the same as 2 AI Primes. I ask because I don't have access or the funds to purchase a reliable PAR meter, and I don't like the concept of just guessing that my lights are putting out the kind of PAR I need. I have both of my primes rotated outwards 90 degrees so that both of their mounting screws face each other and then I just put them both on the same screw shaft so that the center of the pucks are approximately 8-9inches apart from each other (makes me only need one central mount which I find more aesthetically pleasing). I should also add that the lights are both on nearly identical light settings such that their output should be almost equal (slight differences based on livestock on different sides of the tank, but they are in the 5-7% range). So when looking at PAR charts, should I be looking at the Hydra 26 or should I look at Prime charts and then just estimate that the overlap increases the output to by some unknown multiple? My corals are all doing just fine (different types of montis and some other LPS lower down). I'm mostly concerned because I have a clam that SEEMS to be doing well. But I know that if they aren't getting enough light, the SEEM to be fine until they die of starvation (usually all of the sudden over nigyht). I'm not worried about too much light (it's a blue maxima and I've heard you just about can't give them too much light), I just want to make sure that it is enough. Finally, IF it is pretty darn close to a Hydra 26, what settings do you suggest? Right now I've almost got both of them going full blast following my ramp up period. Again, my corals are fine, so nothing is bleaching. But if I had some room to tweak the spectrum, that would be nice. I don't want it purely actinic, but I'd like to use the blue to have the colors pop a little more if possible. (Don't destroy me actinic haters).

Orsamax · 03/18/2019, 03:26 PM

To clarify, I'd like to be able to turn down the white if it doesn't have to be as high as it is (80% for both lights).

dkeller_nc · 03/18/2019, 04:47 PM

I'm afraid it's not possible for any of us to know whether you've got not enough, just right, or too much light without a PAR meter. However, based on the power consumption of the PrimeHD (55w) and the Hydra26HD (135w) and the fact that the hydra has 2 pucks and the prime has one, I'd guess that they're approximately equal.

You can make some guesses from the PAR map for the Prime and Hydra26 lights that are on Aqua Illumination's website and factoring in your particular tank's depth, but without a PAR meter it's pretty much a guess.

ajoe · 03/22/2019, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkeller_nc

I'm afraid it's not possible for any of us to know whether you've got not enough, just right, or too much light without a PAR meter. However, based on the power consumption of the PrimeHD (55w) and the Hydra26HD (135w) and the fact that the hydra has 2 pucks and the prime has one, I'd guess that they're approximately equal.

You can make some guesses from the PAR map for the Prime and Hydra26 lights that are on Aqua Illumination's website and factoring in your particular tank's depth, but without a PAR meter it's pretty much a guess.

I agree that there is little if any significant difference. Likely a bit more advantageous with 2 Primes since you can spread the light a bit more with independent sources rather than confined to the few inches apart each puck is in the 26. Plenty of light for your nice little 40 gal setup. Enjoy.

Orsamax · 03/25/2019, 09:31 AM

Thank you Dkeller and ajoe

Crooked Reef · 03/27/2019, 12:21 PM

AI has said in the past that the pucks in the lights are the same, obviously not the same for HD vs non HD, but if both lights are the non HD then they are the same pucks.

See if you have a local reef club or a LFS that has a par meter they will lend out. My LFS will lend an apogee with a small refundable deposit. I want to say it was $35 and I had it back within two hours of giving it to them. If you have a local reef club someone may even have one that will stop by and check your par for you.

03/18/2019, 03:24 PM	#1
Orsamax Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 60	Do 2 Primes make a Hydra 26? Howdy all. I have 2 AI Prime (non-HDs) over my 40 gal nuvo. I have heard that the Hydra 26 is the same as 2 AI Primes. I ask because I don't have access or the funds to purchase a reliable PAR meter, and I don't like the concept of just guessing that my lights are putting out the kind of PAR I need. I have both of my primes rotated outwards 90 degrees so that both of their mounting screws face each other and then I just put them both on the same screw shaft so that the center of the pucks are approximately 8-9inches apart from each other (makes me only need one central mount which I find more aesthetically pleasing). I should also add that the lights are both on nearly identical light settings such that their output should be almost equal (slight differences based on livestock on different sides of the tank, but they are in the 5-7% range). So when looking at PAR charts, should I be looking at the Hydra 26 or should I look at Prime charts and then just estimate that the overlap increases the output to by some unknown multiple? My corals are all doing just fine (different types of montis and some other LPS lower down). I'm mostly concerned because I have a clam that SEEMS to be doing well. But I know that if they aren't getting enough light, the SEEM to be fine until they die of starvation (usually all of the sudden over nigyht). I'm not worried about too much light (it's a blue maxima and I've heard you just about can't give them too much light), I just want to make sure that it is enough. Finally, IF it is pretty darn close to a Hydra 26, what settings do you suggest? Right now I've almost got both of them going full blast following my ramp up period. Again, my corals are fine, so nothing is bleaching. But if I had some room to tweak the spectrum, that would be nice. I don't want it purely actinic, but I'd like to use the blue to have the colors pop a little more if possible. (Don't destroy me actinic haters).

03/27/2019, 12:21 PM	#6
Crooked Reef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 1,765	AI has said in the past that the pucks in the lights are the same, obviously not the same for HD vs non HD, but if both lights are the non HD then they are the same pucks. See if you have a local reef club or a LFS that has a par meter they will lend out. My LFS will lend an apogee with a small refundable deposit. I want to say it was $35 and I had it back within two hours of giving it to them. If you have a local reef club someone may even have one that will stop by and check your par for you. __________________ “In wine there is wisdom; in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria.” - Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef. Biocube 29 lionfish tank. Mantis tank.

03/18/2019, 03:26 PM	#2
Orsamax Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 60	To clarify, I'd like to be able to turn down the white if it doesn't have to be as high as it is (80% for both lights).

03/18/2019, 04:47 PM	#3
dkeller_nc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Central NC Posts: 5,062	I'm afraid it's not possible for any of us to know whether you've got not enough, just right, or too much light without a PAR meter. However, based on the power consumption of the PrimeHD (55w) and the Hydra26HD (135w) and the fact that the hydra has 2 pucks and the prime has one, I'd guess that they're approximately equal. You can make some guesses from the PAR map for the Prime and Hydra26 lights that are on Aqua Illumination's website and factoring in your particular tank's depth, but without a PAR meter it's pretty much a guess.

03/25/2019, 09:31 AM	#5
Orsamax Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 60	Thank you Dkeller and ajoe