2 Hydra 26 or 1 Hydra 52.

sidewinder2180 · 03/19/2015, 03:55 PM

I am looking to upgrade to led lighting for many reasons. And I have a 50g 36" long 16" hi 11" depth tank. I have decided on the AquaIllumination's Hydra. Now im not sure if i should go with 2 26's or 1 52. On the website it states that the 52 will cover 36" x 36" and the 26's will cover 24" x 24". So i was thinking the 26's will give better coverage and move ability vs the 52 and should give the same light intensity being only a few inches apart. With the same amount of lights as the 52 same power and same bulds. Like splitting a 52 in half.
Any thoughts or suggestions?

Wazzel · 03/19/2015, 09:38 PM

insuggest two 26's for a that geometry. You will get much better coverage. One 52 is not going to cut it. I have a singe 52 on my 24x24x24 and it just gets it done. No way I would try to cover more than that.

Rmc123 · 03/19/2015, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidewinder2180

I am looking to upgrade to led lighting for many reasons. And I have a 50g 36" long 16" hi 11" depth tank. I have decided on the AquaIllumination's Hydra. Now im not sure if i should go with 2 26's or 1 52. On the website it states that the 52 will cover 36" x 36" and the 26's will cover 24" x 24". So i was thinking the 26's will give better coverage and move ability vs the 52 and should give the same light intensity being only a few inches apart. With the same amount of lights as the 52 same power and same bulds. Like splitting a 52 in half.
Any thoughts or suggestions?

2 x 26's
You can contact AI directly for their suggestions, they are very responsive.

sidewinder2180 · 03/19/2015, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wazzel

insuggest two 26's for a that geometry. You will get much better coverage. One 52 is not going to cut it. I have a singe 52 on my 24x24x24 and it just gets it done. No way I would try to cover more than that.

Thats what I was thinking. Thank you. So how do you like the light? I will be honest im upgrading from a Oddasea mh/t5ho 406 watt advanced. (Chinese light) Witch is the second Oddasea light I have had. The mh/t5 is 4 years old never had a problem with either light. Still have my old t5 ho been keeping it as a backup light.

Wazzel · 03/20/2015, 05:24 AM

I like the light just fine. It is performing well for me.

hart24601 · 03/20/2015, 08:29 AM

I switched out from 3 reefbreeder value fixtures over my 120 to 4 hydra 26s and I am very happy. I have noticed much better red color rendition with the hydras. I would go with the 2 26's. Also AI told me that the 26s drive the LEDs more than the 52s, so 26s are stronger than 1 52, if that is an issue.

sidewinder2180 · 03/20/2015, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rmc123

2 x 26's
You can contact AI directly for their suggestions, they are very responsive.

Definitely planning to do that. Thank you. Do you have the Hydra? If so how do you like them?

sidewinder2180 · 03/20/2015, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hart24601

I switched out from 3 reefbreeder value fixtures over my 120 to 4 hydra 26s and I am very happy. I have noticed much better red color rendition with the hydras. I would go with the 2 26's. Also AI told me that the 26s drive the LEDs more than the 52s, so 26s are stronger than 1 52, if that is an issue.

I was looking at the reef breeder but decided on the Hydra. Actually that would be even better. I'm thinking that is definitely what I'm going to get!

Rmc123 · 03/20/2015, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidewinder2180

Definitely planning to do that. Thank you. Do you have the Hydra? If so how do you like them?

I have them ready for my next build, Red Sea Reefer 450. Just waiting on the Tank to come..

aznflyfisherman · 03/21/2015, 07:55 PM

Just got my hydra 52 with a director use, only a few months old, will be buying two more hydra 26 for a 90 or 110 dsa tank..can't wait to set it up and try to do a nice aqua scape...

sidewinder2180 · 03/21/2015, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rmc123

I have them ready for my next build, Red Sea Reefer 450. Just waiting on the Tank to come..

Cant wait to see it. Do post pics. Sounds great!

sidewinder2180 · 03/21/2015, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aznflyfisherman

Just got my hydra 52 with a director use, only a few months old, will be buying two more hydra 26 for a 90 or 110 dsa tank..can't wait to set it up and try to do a nice aqua scape...

Welcome! And can't wait to see it. I cant wait to order my lights. Thinking about the white ones and im going to get the director they call it. Probably going to make my own mount fit the Hydras.

sidewinder2180 · 04/07/2015, 08:29 PM

Got my new Hydra 26's yesterday with the director. These are awesome!

STRATNEST6769 · 04/09/2015, 10:28 AM

I would acclimate Real slow 25-30% for 30days

Wazzel · 04/09/2015, 10:34 AM

I got the first of 2 26's that will be going on my frag tank. Looks like it will work well. Now to grow and sell some frags so I can get the second.

sidewinder2180 · 04/09/2015, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STRATNEST6769

I would acclimate Real slow 25-30% for 30days

Luckily for me I don't have many corals right now but definitely am thanks for the advice. I have them at 45 will turn them down a little more.

sidewinder2180 · 04/10/2015, 03:13 PM

@ Wazzel. That's a good idea! Let me when you have some to sell and what!

03/19/2015, 03:55 PM	#1
sidewinder2180 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 139	2 Hydra 26 or 1 Hydra 52. I am looking to upgrade to led lighting for many reasons. And I have a 50g 36" long 16" hi 11" depth tank. I have decided on the AquaIllumination's Hydra. Now im not sure if i should go with 2 26's or 1 52. On the website it states that the 52 will cover 36" x 36" and the 26's will cover 24" x 24". So i was thinking the 26's will give better coverage and move ability vs the 52 and should give the same light intensity being only a few inches apart. With the same amount of lights as the 52 same power and same bulds. Like splitting a 52 in half. Any thoughts or suggestions?

03/19/2015, 09:38 PM	#2
Wazzel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 4,743	insuggest two 26's for a that geometry. You will get much better coverage. One 52 is not going to cut it. I have a singe 52 on my 24x24x24 and it just gets it done. No way I would try to cover more than that. __________________ Mark Beware the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes it's a train. Current Tank Info: 120, LED, Bare Bottom, SPS/LPS

03/20/2015, 05:24 AM	#5
Wazzel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 4,743	I like the light just fine. It is performing well for me. __________________ Mark Beware the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes it's a train. Current Tank Info: 120, LED, Bare Bottom, SPS/LPS

03/21/2015, 07:55 PM	#10
aznflyfisherman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 957	Got my hydra 52 Just got my hydra 52 with a director use, only a few months old, will be buying two more hydra 26 for a 90 or 110 dsa tank..can't wait to set it up and try to do a nice aqua scape...

04/09/2015, 10:34 AM	#15
Wazzel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 4,743	I got the first of 2 26's that will be going on my frag tank. Looks like it will work well. Now to grow and sell some frags so I can get the second. __________________ Mark Beware the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes it's a train. Current Tank Info: 120, LED, Bare Bottom, SPS/LPS

03/20/2015, 08:29 AM	#6
hart24601 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 633	I switched out from 3 reefbreeder value fixtures over my 120 to 4 hydra 26s and I am very happy. I have noticed much better red color rendition with the hydras. I would go with the 2 26's. Also AI told me that the 26s drive the LEDs more than the 52s, so 26s are stronger than 1 52, if that is an issue.

04/07/2015, 08:29 PM	#13
sidewinder2180 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 139	Got my new Hydra 26's yesterday with the director. These are awesome!

04/09/2015, 10:28 AM	#14
STRATNEST6769 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Telford Pa Posts: 40	I would acclimate Real slow 25-30% for 30days

04/10/2015, 03:13 PM	#17
sidewinder2180 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 139	@ Wazzel. That's a good idea! Let me when you have some to sell and what!