AI Hydra vs. Hydra FiftyTwo - Page 3

kurfer · 09/17/2014, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarineDepot

Hi Kurfer,

Thanks for your inquiry. Two Hydra Fifty-Two's would work very well for a 48x30x24: great dimensions BTW. You will want to orient the lights perpendicular to the front of the tank and have them about 12" above the tank to get the best coverage.

We would recommending selling your two Vega's and upgrading to two Hydra Fifty-Two's. This way, you will get better coverage on the entire tank, more output and more-even color-blending.

If you have any other questions, please let us know.

Thanks for the response! The two Vega's were just enough for my current 75G but was not sure if the new 30inch front to back depth on the new tank would be good with just two. I assume because the Hydra 52 are much brighter I can get by with just two?

By perpendicular, do you mean like this? (backside of my current tank)

MarineDepot · 09/18/2014, 10:24 AM

Hi Kurfer,

Yes, the Hydra 52 is indeed significantly more powerful than the Vega: 135W versus 95W max. power. Two Hydra 52's should be able to cover 48" x 30" without any issues.

Your current configuration is considered parallel. Perpendicular would have the each light going front to back.

Let us know if you have any other questions.

GSep · 09/30/2014, 10:33 AM

Hey Marine Depot. Do you know if there is any way to have the EXT Rail Kit mount the light parallel to the front of the tank but have the rail mounted to the rear of the stand, not the side? For some reason, having the light mounted parallel to the front is more pleasing to look at for me versus perpendicular.

MarineDepot · 09/30/2014, 11:27 AM

Hi GSep,

Unfortunately, it is not possible to have the Tank Mount rail mounted to the back of the aquarium then have the light parallel.

One option is to use the hanging kit.

The other option is to use AI's 24" rail kit and have the rails perpendicular to the front of the tank: which would then position the light parallel to the front of the tank. When installed this way, one rail kit will be required for each light.

Louis M · 10/24/2014, 10:41 PM

Hi I'm currently trying to figure what lights I want and I hear a lot of people are impressed with the hydras. The tank I'm ordering is a 45g jbj rimless (26.5"x21"x19") I want to know which fixture I need? I don't want any dark ends. And I want a mix reef. So with one is good for me the 52 or 26. Btw I want it on a rail not hanging off the wall.

Louis M · 10/25/2014, 12:11 AM

Hi I'm currently trying to figure what lights I want and I hear a lot of people are impressed with the hydras. The tank I'm ordering is a 45g jbj rimless (26.5"x21"x19") I want to know which fixture I need? I don't want any dark ends. And I want a mix reef. So with one is good for me the 52 or 26. Btw I want it on a rail not hanging off the wall.

Louis M · 10/25/2014, 11:49 AM

So what I want to know is can I get away with the 26 or should I just go for the 52? Or will that be an overkill. Btw it will be horizontal. And eventually I do want a few sps and lps. But mainly I will start with softies mainly zoas as they are my favorite.

swhobbie1 · 10/25/2014, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louis M

The tank I'm ordering is a 45g jbj rimless (26.5"x21"x19") I want to know which fixture I need? I don't want any dark ends. .

I would think you could keep whatever you wanted with a Hydra52 in that tank.

MarineDepot · 10/27/2014, 11:05 AM

Hi Louis,

Either light can work for your JBJ 45 gallon. If you are looking to minimize shadows, the Hydra 52 will be the better option as it has 4 light pucks versus 2. The 52 will not be an overkill as you can simply lower the intensity. To mount the light parallel, you can either use the EXT tank mount and an EXT rail (the EXT tank mount will need to be mounted on one of the sides of the stand), or you can use the 24" rail kit and mount the rail kit front-to-back.

If you have any questions, please let us know.

cnseekatz · 10/27/2014, 03:00 PM

I just bought a Cadlights 45g Shallow tank. It's 36" wide, 24" front to back, and only 12" deep.

I currently have a AI Sol sitting over a 12.5 g shallow tank. I know that AI has a kit to convert the Sol to a Hydra 52. Would this unit give me enough coverage for the new footprint (24" x 36")?

MarineDepot · 10/27/2014, 03:05 PM

Hi cnseekatz,

A single Hydra 52 would work great for a mixed reef. It will get dimmer towards the two ends: which would work for lower light LPS and soft corals.

If you want the tank evenly lit from end to end and to be able to place corals anywhere in the tank, two Hydra 26's would be the better option.

booyaa138 · 11/04/2014, 05:10 PM

I've got 2 different tanks in mind for my next build. First is 32x24x20 and second is 32x24x24. Do I need to go with 1 Hydra 52 on both tanks? Or can I get away with a og Hydra or even a Hydra 26

MarineDepot · 11/04/2014, 05:50 PM

Hi booyaa138

Both being 32" long tanks, two Hydra 52's would indeed be your best option.

booyaa138 · 11/04/2014, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarineDepot

Hi booyaa138

Both being 32" long tanks, two Hydra 52's would indeed be your best option.

Isn't the Hydra 52's coverage 36x36?
I'm not going to have 2 tanks, those are the 2 sizes I'm choosing between.

MarineDepot · 11/04/2014, 06:04 PM

Sorry that I missed that.

AI does claim a coverage of up to 36x36 for a mixed reef for the Hydra 52. It is also your best option for a 32" tank.

A single Hydra or Hydra 26 will not evenly cover a 32" long tank in our opinion. However, if you don't mind the sides of the aquarium being dimmer, it can still work.

booyaa138 · 11/04/2014, 06:31 PM

Thanks!

booyaa138 · 11/04/2014, 10:46 PM

Two more quick question. What is recommended for mounting height? Can you mount these inside a canopy?

MarineDepot · 11/05/2014, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booyaa138

Two more quick question. What is recommended for mounting height? Can you mount these inside a canopy?

LED lights run fairly cool and are perfectly suitable for mounting inside a canopy. Just be sure it has some ventilation.

As for mounting height, it depends on how many fixtures you use. One fixture would need to be mounted much higher than two fixtures in order to get full coverage. I would start at about 10" and raise the light until you reach the desired spread.

Take care and feel free to let us know if you have more questions.

-Robert F.

Mike C6201 · 11/22/2014, 04:10 PM

Another question . I have a Biocube 14 . What I was thinking is to gut the stock hood but keep the fans . Then cut a hole in the top and mount a Hydra 26 to the top side . Now would this have the light far enough above the water to get as good light spread as the stock lighting ? I don't want the outsides of the tank to be dark.
Also will I need the controler , or are there controls built in to the light module ? Thanks !!

MarineDepot · 11/24/2014, 11:39 AM

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your inquiry. The ideal installation for the Hydra 26 (and other similar LED lights) is for the light to be mounted 6"-10" above the aquarium. With the installation noted, it sounds like the light will only be a couple of inches above the aquarium: which would not be ideal and coverage may not be very good. We would recommend removing the entire hood and use one of AI's mounting systems.

All AI Hydra's require controllers: either the wireless controller or the Director.

If you have any other questions, please let us know.

booyaa138 · 11/26/2014, 02:49 PM

So I ended up buying a bigger tank. 125 gallons 60x18x24. My question is what would be better? 3 hydra 26's or 2 hydra 52's?

MarineDepot · 11/26/2014, 03:14 PM

Congratulations on the new tank! We would prefer the three Hydra 26's for a more even spread. However, either option will work just fine.

booyaa138 · 11/26/2014, 04:54 PM

That's what I thought. Just wanted to double check.

Thanks!

MarineDepot · 11/26/2014, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booyaa138

That's what I thought. Just wanted to double check.

Thanks!

You are welcome. Don't forget: they go on sale Friday!

booyaa138 · 11/26/2014, 05:23 PM

I know! I just have to convince the wife that it's a good deal! Haha!

10/24/2014, 10:41 PM	#55
Louis M Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 3	Hydra 26 or 52 Hi I'm currently trying to figure what lights I want and I hear a lot of people are impressed with the hydras. The tank I'm ordering is a 45g jbj rimless (26.5"x21"x19") I want to know which fixture I need? I don't want any dark ends. And I want a mix reef. So with one is good for me the 52 or 26. Btw I want it on a rail not hanging off the wall.

10/25/2014, 12:11 AM	#56
Louis M Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 3	Hydra 26 or 52 Hi I'm currently trying to figure what lights I want and I hear a lot of people are impressed with the hydras. The tank I'm ordering is a 45g jbj rimless (26.5"x21"x19") I want to know which fixture I need? I don't want any dark ends. And I want a mix reef. So with one is good for me the 52 or 26. Btw I want it on a rail not hanging off the wall.

11/04/2014, 05:10 PM	#62
booyaa138 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Orange County Ca Posts: 415	I've got 2 different tanks in mind for my next build. First is 32x24x20 and second is 32x24x24. Do I need to go with 1 Hydra 52 on both tanks? Or can I get away with a og Hydra or even a Hydra 26 Last edited by booyaa138; 11/04/2014 at 05:44 PM.

09/18/2014, 10:24 AM	#52
MarineDepot Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 5,129	Hi Kurfer, Yes, the Hydra 52 is indeed significantly more powerful than the Vega: 135W versus 95W max. power. Two Hydra 52's should be able to cover 48" x 30" without any issues. Your current configuration is considered parallel. Perpendicular would have the each light going front to back. Let us know if you have any other questions.

09/30/2014, 10:33 AM	#53
GSep Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 85	Hey Marine Depot. Do you know if there is any way to have the EXT Rail Kit mount the light parallel to the front of the tank but have the rail mounted to the rear of the stand, not the side? For some reason, having the light mounted parallel to the front is more pleasing to look at for me versus perpendicular.

09/30/2014, 11:27 AM	#54
MarineDepot Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 5,129	Hi GSep, Unfortunately, it is not possible to have the Tank Mount rail mounted to the back of the aquarium then have the light parallel. One option is to use the hanging kit. The other option is to use AI's 24" rail kit and have the rails perpendicular to the front of the tank: which would then position the light parallel to the front of the tank. When installed this way, one rail kit will be required for each light.

10/25/2014, 11:49 AM	#57
Louis M Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 3	So what I want to know is can I get away with the 26 or should I just go for the 52? Or will that be an overkill. Btw it will be horizontal. And eventually I do want a few sps and lps. But mainly I will start with softies mainly zoas as they are my favorite.

10/27/2014, 11:05 AM	#59
MarineDepot Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 5,129	Hi Louis, Either light can work for your JBJ 45 gallon. If you are looking to minimize shadows, the Hydra 52 will be the better option as it has 4 light pucks versus 2. The 52 will not be an overkill as you can simply lower the intensity. To mount the light parallel, you can either use the EXT tank mount and an EXT rail (the EXT tank mount will need to be mounted on one of the sides of the stand), or you can use the 24" rail kit and mount the rail kit front-to-back. If you have any questions, please let us know.

10/27/2014, 03:00 PM	#60
cnseekatz Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 232	I just bought a Cadlights 45g Shallow tank. It's 36" wide, 24" front to back, and only 12" deep. I currently have a AI Sol sitting over a 12.5 g shallow tank. I know that AI has a kit to convert the Sol to a Hydra 52. Would this unit give me enough coverage for the new footprint (24" x 36")?

10/27/2014, 03:05 PM	#61
MarineDepot Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 5,129	Hi cnseekatz, A single Hydra 52 would work great for a mixed reef. It will get dimmer towards the two ends: which would work for lower light LPS and soft corals. If you want the tank evenly lit from end to end and to be able to place corals anywhere in the tank, two Hydra 26's would be the better option.

11/04/2014, 05:50 PM	#63
MarineDepot Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 5,129	Hi booyaa138 Both being 32" long tanks, two Hydra 52's would indeed be your best option.

11/04/2014, 06:04 PM	#65
MarineDepot Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 5,129	Sorry that I missed that. AI does claim a coverage of up to 36x36 for a mixed reef for the Hydra 52. It is also your best option for a 32" tank. A single Hydra or Hydra 26 will not evenly cover a 32" long tank in our opinion. However, if you don't mind the sides of the aquarium being dimmer, it can still work.

11/04/2014, 06:31 PM	#66
booyaa138 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Orange County Ca Posts: 415	Thanks!

11/04/2014, 10:46 PM	#67
booyaa138 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Orange County Ca Posts: 415	Two more quick question. What is recommended for mounting height? Can you mount these inside a canopy?

11/22/2014, 04:10 PM	#69
Mike C6201 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 20	Another question . I have a Biocube 14 . What I was thinking is to gut the stock hood but keep the fans . Then cut a hole in the top and mount a Hydra 26 to the top side . Now would this have the light far enough above the water to get as good light spread as the stock lighting ? I don't want the outsides of the tank to be dark. Also will I need the controler , or are there controls built in to the light module ? Thanks !!

11/24/2014, 11:39 AM	#70
MarineDepot Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 5,129	Hi Mike, Thanks for your inquiry. The ideal installation for the Hydra 26 (and other similar LED lights) is for the light to be mounted 6"-10" above the aquarium. With the installation noted, it sounds like the light will only be a couple of inches above the aquarium: which would not be ideal and coverage may not be very good. We would recommend removing the entire hood and use one of AI's mounting systems. All AI Hydra's require controllers: either the wireless controller or the Director. If you have any other questions, please let us know.

11/26/2014, 02:49 PM	#71
booyaa138 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Orange County Ca Posts: 415	So I ended up buying a bigger tank. 125 gallons 60x18x24. My question is what would be better? 3 hydra 26's or 2 hydra 52's?

11/26/2014, 03:14 PM	#72
MarineDepot Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 5,129	Congratulations on the new tank! We would prefer the three Hydra 26's for a more even spread. However, either option will work just fine.

11/26/2014, 04:54 PM	#73
booyaa138 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Orange County Ca Posts: 415	That's what I thought. Just wanted to double check. Thanks!

11/26/2014, 05:23 PM	#75
booyaa138 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Orange County Ca Posts: 415	I know! I just have to convince the wife that it's a good deal! Haha!