AI hydra lighting questions...so many options

Tzwizzle · 01/04/2014, 07:18 PM

Wondering if I should get a hydra or hydra 52 for my 60g cube 2x2x2. Looking to get softies and LPS. I'm confused which optics/height would work best to get good coverage and minimal light spillage without roasting everything. Lastly what starting light settings would you use?

Potential Options

Hydra 52 7in above water, 80 optics, low settings
Hydra 52 1ft above water, 50 optics, low settings
Hydra 7in above water, 80 optics, med settings
Hydra. 1ft above water, 50optics, med settings

Thanks!

Mark Bianco · 01/04/2014, 07:41 PM

I have a 6' x 2' x 31" I have 3 of the Hydra 52"s Standard optics. I have seen the hydras and either would work but the 52's have a better spread and spectrum. mine are 10" AWL As far as your settings go start off slow like at about 20 to 30 % and gradually every week increase that level until everything is happy. One nice thing about the AI controllers is you can set the fixture to automatically increase the intensity over what time frame you want. They call it the coral acclamation feature.

01/04/2014, 07:18 PM	#1
Tzwizzle Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 283	AI hydra lighting questions...so many options Wondering if I should get a hydra or hydra 52 for my 60g cube 2x2x2. Looking to get softies and LPS. I'm confused which optics/height would work best to get good coverage and minimal light spillage without roasting everything. Lastly what starting light settings would you use? Potential Options Hydra 52 7in above water, 80 optics, low settings Hydra 52 1ft above water, 50 optics, low settings Hydra 7in above water, 80 optics, med settings Hydra. 1ft above water, 50optics, med settings Thanks!

01/04/2014, 07:41 PM	#2
Mark Bianco In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Infinity and Beyond Posts: 2,445	I have a 6' x 2' x 31" I have 3 of the Hydra 52"s Standard optics. I have seen the hydras and either would work but the 52's have a better spread and spectrum. mine are 10" AWL As far as your settings go start off slow like at about 20 to 30 % and gradually every week increase that level until everything is happy. One nice thing about the AI controllers is you can set the fixture to automatically increase the intensity over what time frame you want. They call it the coral acclamation feature.