2 AI Hydra 25 HD vs Reef Breeders Photon 50 V2+

crabbydan · 08/26/2018, 04:04 PM

Looking at changing my lights as I move to a larger tank. I currently have 3 kessil 360WE over a DSA 105 4 feet by 2 feet water height 20 inches tall. I am setting up a new custom tank basicly the same tank but a foot longer. 5 feet by 2 feet 22 inches tall but water depth will likely be 21 inches. Yes I could move the kessils over and likely be ok as I just have a bunch of softies. A few torches, zoas couple acans and an anemone. I have no intention of going into harder corals other than I would like to grow a montipora out.

Anyway I am on a budget and am thinking of trying out the Reef Breeders Photon 50 V2 plus. I was also looking at AI because I have 2 Primes on my 20 gallon office tank. I really didnt want to spend 1200 dollars on 2 AI 52 HD I could get 2 AI 26 HD for 700 plus another 100 to mount them or I could get the RB Photon 50 V2+ for 709 which come with mounts.

Any thoughts from current Photon owners or AI 26 HD owners also I am not sure the AI 52 would give me enough coverage but if I go that route I would just add another unit 6 months down the line.

Give me some ideas people... Thank you!

lpsouth1978 · 08/26/2018, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crabbydan

Looking at changing my lights as I move to a larger tank. I currently have 3 kessil 360WE over a DSA 105 4 feet by 2 feet water height 20 inches tall. I am setting up a new custom tank basicly the same tank but a foot longer. 5 feet by 2 feet 22 inches tall but water depth will likely be 21 inches. Yes I could move the kessils over and likely be ok as I just have a bunch of softies. A few torches, zoas couple acans and an anemone. I have no intention of going into harder corals other than I would like to grow a montipora out.

Anyway I am on a budget and am thinking of trying out the Reef Breeders Photon 50 V2 plus. I was also looking at AI because I have 2 Primes on my 20 gallon office tank. I really didnt want to spend 1200 dollars on 2 AI 52 HD I could get 2 AI 26 HD for 700 plus another 100 to mount them or I could get the RB Photon 50 V2+ for 709 which come with mounts.

Any thoughts from current Photon owners or AI 26 HD owners also I am not sure the AI 52 would give me enough coverage but if I go that route I would just add another unit 6 months down the line.

Give me some ideas people... Thank you!

I have 2 x AI Hydra 26HD over my 40b and LOVE them. They are definitely overkill for this tank, but I got a GREAT deal on them. I am not sure that 2 would be enough for a 100+g tank. If you are only keeping softies and LPS, you might be good though.

I am currently keeping only LPS, zoas, mushrooms, and 2 anemones (a rainbow BTA and a green Haddoni carpet). They are about 12" off the water (with DIY diffusers) and are doing a great. I would definitely recommend getting 2 x Hydra 26 over a single 52. It is the same light, but more options and spread with the 26's.

reefteaser · 08/27/2018, 07:46 PM

I’ve had the 50-V2 on my 60x20x22 mixed reef for two years now. Great color and growth with softies, LPS, and SPS. I recently upgraded it with the new chip (super easy) that makes the intensity changes much more gradual and less noticeable. That was more for me than my pets. I’ve been extremely pleased and I think it’s a solid product.
I almost bought the Hydra’s as I’d read terrific reviews, and I’m sure they work great. Programming with the app is no doubt easier versus V2 remote, and really that’s my only criticism. The V2 is not really hard, and I don’t change it very often once I got it set where I wanted. I think it’s probably the biggest difference between the two, so if you like to tinker with the lighting a lot the Hydras might be best. I’m happy with the money I saved (to buy more reef toys of course) and the results in my tank.

crabbydan · 08/28/2018, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefteaser

I’ve had the 50-V2 on my 60x20x22 mixed reef for two years now. Great color and growth with softies, LPS, and SPS. I recently upgraded it with the new chip (super easy) that makes the intensity changes much more gradual and less noticeable. That was more for me than my pets. I’ve been extremely pleased and I think it’s a solid product.
I almost bought the Hydra’s as I’d read terrific reviews, and I’m sure they work great. Programming with the app is no doubt easier versus V2 remote, and really that’s my only criticism. The V2 is not really hard, and I don’t change it very often once I got it set where I wanted. I think it’s probably the biggest difference between the two, so if you like to tinker with the lighting a lot the Hydras might be best. I’m happy with the money I saved (to buy more reef toys of course) and the results in my tank.

Good information thank you. I have 2 AI Primes on my 20 gallon office tank (overkill). I love the wifi app ability to set the colors and time of day. But the more I think of it once the tank looks happy I never use that feature again.

Still deciding but glad to hear of another happy Reef Breeders customer I have not found one reef breeders owner not happy with that light.

reefteaser · 08/28/2018, 01:05 PM

In addition to the product, the owner Logan has been extremely helpful and offers great product support. I feel that adds a great deal of value to my purchase, and I’m much more likely to spend money there in the future.

Vinny Kreyling · 08/28/2018, 05:02 PM

I really like my Reefbreeder's lights.

08/26/2018, 04:04 PM	#1
crabbydan Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 267	2 AI Hydra 25 HD vs Reef Breeders Photon 50 V2+ Looking at changing my lights as I move to a larger tank. I currently have 3 kessil 360WE over a DSA 105 4 feet by 2 feet water height 20 inches tall. I am setting up a new custom tank basicly the same tank but a foot longer. 5 feet by 2 feet 22 inches tall but water depth will likely be 21 inches. Yes I could move the kessils over and likely be ok as I just have a bunch of softies. A few torches, zoas couple acans and an anemone. I have no intention of going into harder corals other than I would like to grow a montipora out. Anyway I am on a budget and am thinking of trying out the Reef Breeders Photon 50 V2 plus. I was also looking at AI because I have 2 Primes on my 20 gallon office tank. I really didnt want to spend 1200 dollars on 2 AI 52 HD I could get 2 AI 26 HD for 700 plus another 100 to mount them or I could get the RB Photon 50 V2+ for 709 which come with mounts. Any thoughts from current Photon owners or AI 26 HD owners also I am not sure the AI 52 would give me enough coverage but if I go that route I would just add another unit 6 months down the line. Give me some ideas people... Thank you!

08/28/2018, 05:02 PM	#6
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	I really like my Reefbreeder's lights. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

08/27/2018, 07:46 PM	#3
reefteaser Convince'em or confuse'em Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: S FL Posts: 341	I’ve had the 50-V2 on my 60x20x22 mixed reef for two years now. Great color and growth with softies, LPS, and SPS. I recently upgraded it with the new chip (super easy) that makes the intensity changes much more gradual and less noticeable. That was more for me than my pets. I’ve been extremely pleased and I think it’s a solid product. I almost bought the Hydra’s as I’d read terrific reviews, and I’m sure they work great. Programming with the app is no doubt easier versus V2 remote, and really that’s my only criticism. The V2 is not really hard, and I don’t change it very often once I got it set where I wanted. I think it’s probably the biggest difference between the two, so if you like to tinker with the lighting a lot the Hydras might be best. I’m happy with the money I saved (to buy more reef toys of course) and the results in my tank.

08/28/2018, 01:05 PM	#5
reefteaser Convince'em or confuse'em Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: S FL Posts: 341	In addition to the product, the owner Logan has been extremely helpful and offers great product support. I feel that adds a great deal of value to my purchase, and I’m much more likely to spend money there in the future.