Are you using your AI Hydra 26HD to peak performance? We tested height, spacing and PAR to find out!

BRStv - Saltwater Aquariums & Reef Tanks
10 Apr 202012:35

TLDRBRS investigates the optimal setup for the discontinued AI Hydra 26HD LED lights, providing data-driven recommendations for height, spacing, and spectrum settings to maximize performance in both LPS and SPS dominated tanks. The video offers tested mounting heights, spacing configurations, and spectrum ratios for 60 and 120-gallon tanks, ensuring viewers can optimize their lighting for peak coral growth and aesthetic appeal.

Takeaways

  • 🌟 The AI Hydra 26HD, despite being discontinued, is still a popular choice for many aquarists and was tested for optimal performance.
  • 🔬 BRSTV conducted a thorough test to provide data for optimizing the Hydra 26 HD, focusing on height, spacing, and PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation).
  • 💡 Recommended setup for a 60-gallon cube tank with LPS corals is one Hydra 26 HD, while a 120-gallon system may require two for the same goals.
  • 📏 The optimal mounting height for the Hydra 26 HD was found to be 14 inches off the water surface for balanced light distribution.
  • 🔄 When spacing multiple Hydra 26 HDs, 13 inches on center is recommended for even light distribution, especially for LPS growth.
  • 🔆 For SPS corals, a customized light spacing configuration is recommended to ensure even PAR distribution across the tank.
  • 🌈 BRS provided a recommended spectrum ratio mix, emphasizing near UV, violet, and blue channels, with white channels to balance the color.
  • 🛠️ For LPS tanks, the BRS settings aim to maintain PAR levels between 75 and 150, while for SPS, the goal is between 200 to 350 PAR.
  • 📏 For tanks longer than 4 feet, BRS suggests using one Hydra 26 for every 24 inches of tank length for LPS, and two for SPS dominated systems.
  • 🔧 Adjustments to lighting setups should be made gradually to avoid stressing the established corals and fish.
  • 🔬 The testing results and recommendations are based on empirical data and can be used as a starting point, with further fine-tuning using a PAR meter.

Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the BRSTV investigates video?

    -The main focus of the BRSTV investigates video is to test the Hydra 26 HD LED lights for optimal performance in an aquarium setting, providing recommendations for height, spacing, and PAR to help viewers optimize their existing lights.

  • Why have the Hydra 26 HD LEDs been discontinued?

    -The script does not provide a specific reason for the discontinuation of the Hydra 26 HD LEDs, but it mentions that many people already own them and the company has some new ones for testing purposes.

  • What are the two common tank sizes considered in the script for testing the Hydra 26 HD LEDs?

    -The two common tank sizes considered in the script for testing the Hydra 26 HD LEDs are a 60-gallon cube and a 120-gallon tank that is 4 feet by 2 feet.

  • What is the recommended number of Hydra 26 HD LEDs for a 60-gallon cube tank filled with LPS corals?

    -For a 60-gallon cube tank filled with LPS corals, the script recommends using a single Hydra 26 HD LED.

  • How many Hydra 26 HD LEDs are suggested for a 120-gallon tank to achieve an LPS tank look?

    -For a 120-gallon tank to achieve an LPS tank look, the script suggests using two Hydra 26 HD LEDs.

  • What is the optimal mounting height for the Hydra 26 HD LEDs according to the script's findings?

    -The optimal mounting height for the Hydra 26 HD LEDs, as found in the script's testing, is 14 inches off the top of the water.

  • What is the recommended spacing between two Hydra 26 HD LEDs for an LPS tank?

    -The recommended spacing between two Hydra 26 HD LEDs for an LPS tank is 13 inches on center.

  • How does the script suggest adjusting the spectrum ratio for the Hydra 26 HD LEDs to optimize for LPS corals?

    -For optimizing LPS corals, the script suggests setting the UV and violet channels to 110 percent, royal blue and blue channels to 115 percent, white channels to 50 percent, and red and green channels each to 10 percent.

  • What is the recommended spectrum ratio for a 60-gallon tank with a focus on LPS corals?

    -For a 60-gallon tank with a focus on LPS corals, the recommended spectrum ratio is violet and UV at 77%, royal blue and blue at 81%, cool white at 35%, and red and green channels at 7%.

  • How should the Hydra 26 HD LEDs be spaced for a 120-gallon SPS dominated tank according to the script?

    -For a 120-gallon SPS dominated tank, the script recommends mounting the Hydra 26 HD LEDs at 14 inches off the water surface, with the lights spaced at 7 inches in, 17.2 inches from the left edge, and 17.2 inches and 7 inches from the right edge of the tank.

Outlines

00:00

💡 Hydra 26 HD LED Testing for Optimal Aquarium Lighting

The script discusses a comprehensive test of the Hydra 26 HD LEDs conducted by BRSTV Investigates. The aim is to provide viewers with data to optimize their existing Hydra 26 lights for their tanks. Host Randy explains that despite the discontinuation of the product, they have new units for testing. The testing focuses on two common tank sizes: a 60-gallon cube and a 120-gallon 4x2 tank, with goals of either a show tank with LPS or a tank filled with mature SPS colonies. The script outlines the recommended number of Hydra 26 units for each tank size and suggests combining the 26 HD with T5 fill light for an LPS tank in a 60-gallon cube. The optimal mounting height for the Hydra 26 is determined through a series of tests, concluding that 14 inches off the water surface is ideal for even light distribution. The script also details the process of finding the optimal spacing for multiple Hydra 26 units over the 120-gallon tank for both LPS and SPS goals.

05:02

📏 Determining the Best Spacing for Hydra 26 LEDs in Aquariums

This paragraph delves into the process of finding the optimal spacing for two Hydra 26 HD LEDs over a 4-foot tank to achieve even light distribution for both LPS and SPS corals. The initial test with the lights spaced at 16 inches on center resulted in a significant disparity between the center and outer edges' PAR values. By incrementally adjusting the spacing, the team found that 13 inches on center provided the best balance for LPS lighting, with the outer edges reaching 79% of the center's PAR value. For SPS-dominated tanks, a different configuration was tested, leading to a recommendation of placing the lights at 7 inches in, 17.2 inches from the left edge, and 17.2 inches and 7 inches from the right edge of the tank. This setup achieved an 86% average PAR on the outer edges, ensuring optimal lighting for SPS corals across the entire 48-inch tank.

10:06

🌡 Customizing Hydra 26 Settings for Different Coral Types

The final paragraph discusses the recommended settings for the Hydra 26 HD LEDs based on the tests conducted, tailored for different types of corals. For LPS and soft corals in a 60-gallon tank, a single Hydra 26 is suggested with specific channel percentages to achieve a balanced PAR range of 75 to 150. For a 120-gallon tank, two Hydra 26 units are recommended with adjusted settings to cover the same PAR range. The script also addresses the use of the Hydra 26 for SPS corals, noting that while a single unit may not suffice for a 60-gallon tank, multiple units can be effective when used together. Detailed spectrum ratio settings are provided for optimizing the Hydra 26 for SPS growth, with a focus on achieving a PAR range of 200 to 350. The paragraph concludes with guidance on applying these settings to longer tanks and hints at further insights available in another video by Ryan on AI Prime light testing.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI Hydra 26HD

The AI Hydra 26HD refers to a specific model of LED lighting system designed for aquariums, which is the central subject of the video. It is a discontinued product, but many aquarium hobbyists still use it. The video aims to provide optimized settings for this light to maximize its performance in both LPS (Large Polyp Stony) and SPS (Small Polyp Stony) coral growth. For example, the script mentions testing the Hydra 26 HD to find the best height, spacing, and PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) settings.

💡BRSTV

BRSTV appears to be the name of the show or channel producing the video, which focuses on investigative testing related to aquarium equipment. The script mentions 'today on BRSTV investigates,' indicating that the video is part of a series that tests and shares findings on various topics to assist viewers in optimizing their aquarium setups.

💡Optimize

Optimization in the context of this video refers to the process of adjusting and fine-tuning the settings of the AI Hydra 26HD to achieve the best possible results for coral growth and overall aquarium health. The script discusses optimizing the lights for different tank sizes and coral types, such as LPS and SPS.

💡LPS (Large Polyp Stony)

LPS stands for Large Polyp Stony corals, which are a type of coral known for their large polyps and hard, stony skeletons. The video discusses optimizing lighting for LPS corals, which typically require less intense light compared to SPS corals. The script mentions testing the Hydra 26 HD for a tank full of 'i popping LPS,' indicating a desire for lush and vibrant LPS growth.

💡SPS (Small Polyp Stony)

SPS refers to Small Polyp Stony corals, another type of coral that has smaller polyps and also forms hard skeletons. These corals generally require more intense and specific light conditions to thrive. The video aims to provide settings that can support SPS corals in a tank, as evidenced by the script's mention of 'a tank completely filled with a Crow's Milly's and other stunning SPS sticks.'

💡PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation)

PAR is a measure of the light available for photosynthesis by corals and plants. It is a critical factor in coral growth and health. The video script discusses testing the PAR levels at various heights and spacings to find the optimal setup for the AI Hydra 26HD, with the goal of evenly distributing light across the tank.

💡Mounting Height

Mounting height refers to the distance between the light source and the water surface in an aquarium. The video script describes an experiment where the Hydra 26 HD's mounting height was adjusted to find the optimal position that reduces hotspots and evenly distributes light, which was found to be 14 inches off the water.

💡Spacing

Spacing in this context refers to the distance between multiple Hydra 26 HD lights when used together in an aquarium. The video discusses finding the optimal spacing to ensure even light distribution, especially for SPS corals that require more light. The script mentions testing different spacings and finding that 13 inches on center is the recommended spacing for two Hydra 26s.

💡Spectrum Ratio

Spectrum ratio refers to the proportion of different wavelengths of light provided by the LED system. The video script describes a custom spectrum mix for the Hydra 26 HD, emphasizing the use of near UV, violet, and blue channels to maximize power output, and adjusting white, red, and green channels for balance and aesthetics.

💡T5 Fill Light

T5 fill light is a type of supplemental lighting often used in conjunction with LED systems to provide additional light, especially in larger tanks. The script mentions using a T5 fixture to support a single Hydra 26 HD in a 60-gallon tank to create a show tank with SPS corals.

💡Hybrid Lighting

Hybrid lighting refers to the combination of different types of light sources to achieve desired lighting conditions. The video script suggests using a larger model like the Hydra 52 or 64, or adding T5 fill light, as hybrid options to support SPS coral growth in larger tanks where a single Hydra 26 HD might not be sufficient.

Highlights

AI Hydra 26HD lighting system has been tested for peak performance.

The test aimed to optimize the use of the Hydra 26 HD for aquarists.

Two common tank sizes were tested: 60-gallon cube and 120-gallon 4x2 tank.

It was suggested to use one Hydra 26 for a 60-gallon tank with LPS corals.

For a 120-gallon SPS tank, two Hydra 26s are recommended.

Combining a Hydra 26 with T5 fill light is suggested for a 60-gallon tank.

Optimal mounting height for the Hydra 26 is 14 inches off the water.

Spacing tests showed 13 inches on center is optimal for two Hydra 26s.

For SPS tanks, a custom spacing configuration was found to be most effective.

BRS recommended settings for Hydra 26 include specific ratios for UV, violet, blue, white, red, and green channels.

A gradual approach to adjusting lighting settings is advised to avoid stressing the corals.

Settings for LPS tanks aim to maintain PAR between 75 to 150.

For SPS tanks, the goal is to achieve PAR between 200 to 350.

Using multiple Hydra 26s can support SPS growth effectively.

A par meter is recommended for fine-tuning and verifying settings.

The Hydra 26 may not be sufficient alone for a 60-gallon SPS tank.

Hybrid lighting options with T5 fill light or larger models are suggested for SPS tanks.

Create Stunning AI Art Instantly

No login. No cost. Just incredible AI images !

Create Stunning AI Art InstantlyGenerate Now