Can you create Radion's AB+ spectrum on AI Hydras? | #AskBRStv

BRStv - Saltwater Aquariums & Reef Tanks
27 Sept 201805:43

TLDRIn this episode of #AskBRStv, the team investigates custom spectrum settings for the AI Hydra 26 and 52, aiming to replicate Ecotec Marine's Radion AB+ spectrum. They compare these settings to Aaron's previous attempt with the AI Prime, noting differences in the 415 peak and 460 spectrum area. After testing various settings, they conclude that the community's suggested settings for the Hydra 26 come closest to the Radion's spectrum. However, the Hydra 52 still lacks in the 660 nm range and has a valley between 410 and 435 nm. The video highlights the challenge of replicating exact spectra between different LED fixtures, and the superior spectrum control of the more expensive Radion.

Takeaways

  • 🔬 The video discusses the attempt to recreate the EcoTech Marine Radion A+ spectrum on AI Hydra 26 and 52 lights using custom spectrum settings.
  • 📏 A previous BRSTV investigation compared the AI Prime's performance to other light fixtures, including the Radion, with Aaron recreating the A+ spectrum for the AI Prime.
  • 👍 Aaron's attempt was considered a solid job, with close similarity to the Radion's spectrum, despite differences in LED capabilities between the two lights.
  • 🌊 The community's interest in replicating the Radion's spectrum on AI Hydra models led to testing different settings, including those shared by a reefer known as day 57.
  • 💡 The Hydra 26, with its two Prime pucks, was tested with both BRSTV's settings and day 57's suggested settings to compare with the Radion's spectrum.
  • 📈 The test showed that day 57's settings for the Hydra 26 were closer to the Radion's A+ spectrum, particularly in the 410 to 425 nm range.
  • 🔴 The Hydra 52, with four Prime pucks, was found to lack in the 660 nm range and had a valley between 410 and 435 nm that couldn't be fully matched to the Radion's spectrum.
  • 🛠️ Attempts were made to tweak the Hydra 52 settings to reduce the valley in the 400 nm range and increase the 660 nm range, with some success.
  • 💡 The AI Hydra's performance has been impressive in many reefers' tanks, but the Radion's broader LED spectrum and tighter control provides a smoother and fuller light spectrum.
  • 💰 The Radion's superior capabilities come at a higher price point, which is a consideration for those looking to replicate its spectrum.
  • 📚 The video concludes that recreating exact spectrums between different light fixtures can be challenging due to variations in LEDs and their combinations.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the 'Ask BRStv' video?

    -The main topic of the video is to verify and compare custom spectrum settings for the AI Hydra 26 and Hydra 52 to match the Ecotec Marine's Radion A+ spectrum.

  • Why did the discussion around the AI Prime spectrum start?

    -The discussion started after a BRStv investigates episode that compared the AI Prime's spectrum and performance to other light fixtures, including the Radion.

  • What was the initial attempt to recreate the Radion A+ spectrum on the AI Prime?

    -Aaron programmed the best recreation of the Eco Tech's coral lab A+ spectrum for the Radeon using the sliders for the AI Prime, which was close but had some differences in the 415 peak, 420 to 425 valley, and 460 spectrum area.

  • What are the differences between the AI Hydra 26 and Hydra 52 in terms of LEDs and wattages?

    -The AI Hydra 26 and Hydra 52 have two and four Prime pucks respectively, but they differ in wattages and hyperdrive settings.

  • How did the AI Prime settings perform when applied to the Hydra 26?

    -The spectrum mix didn't scale perfectly, with differences in the lower 400 range and a significant increase in the 465 to 470 range compared to the Prime.

  • What were the percentage settings suggested by 'day 57' for the Hydra 26?

    -The suggested settings were UV at 118%, violet to 101, royal blue at 82, blues to 65, greens at 6, deep reds to 5, and cool whites at 19%.

  • How closely did 'day 57's' settings match the Radion A+ spectrum for the Hydra 26?

    -The settings closely matched the Radion A+ spectrum, especially in the 410 to 425 violet in UV range, making them spot-on for nearly recreating the exact A+ spectrum.

  • What issues were found when comparing the Hydra 52 settings to the Radion A+ spectrum?

    -Both the AI Prime settings and the variation from 'day 57's' post lacked in the 660 nanometer range and had a significant valley between the 410 and 435 range.

  • What adjustments were made to the Hydra 52 to improve the spectrum match to the Radion A+?

    -The UV was set to its max, violet at 150, royal blue at 160, blues at 277, greens at 11%, deep reds at 40%, and cool whites at 227, which slightly widened the 410 and 420 range and the 440 to 480 bands, and increased the red spectrum near 660.

  • What is the conclusion about recreating exact spectrums from one fixture to another?

    -Recreating exact spectrums is difficult due to differences in LEDs, LED combinations, and limitations of the Hydra LEDs compared to the premium Radion LED.

Outlines

00:00

🌊 Custom Reef Illumination Settings Test

This paragraph discusses a query from a sponsor thread regarding the customization of the AI Hydra 26 and 52 spectrum settings to mimic the EcoTech Marine Radion's A+ spectrum. The speaker, Randy, explains the origin of the question, which stems from a previous BRSTV investigation episode comparing the AI Prime's spectrum performance against other light fixtures. Aaron's attempt to recreate the Radion's spectrum using the AI Prime's sliders is highlighted, noting the close match with some minor differences. The conversation then shifts to testing the same settings on the Hydra 26 and 52, including custom settings provided by a user from the sponsor thread, to determine which better replicates the Radion's spectrum. The results show that while the AI Hydra settings can approximate the Radion's spectrum, there are inherent limitations due to the different LED configurations and capabilities.

05:01

🔬 Challenges in Replicating LED Spectrums

The second paragraph addresses the complexity of replicating specific LED spectrums across different light fixtures, emphasizing the inherent differences in LED combinations and capabilities. The speaker acknowledges the limitations of the Hydra LEDs compared to the premium Radion LEDs, which offer a wider array of LEDs and more precise control over the nanometer spectrum. The speaker also shares their personal preference for the Radion LEDs for their tank due to these advantages. The paragraph concludes by thanking the viewer for watching, crediting Dave 57 for the insightful question, and encouraging further engagement with the BRS crew and the reefing community through their sponsor forum on Reef2Reef.com. Links to the forum are provided in the description and lower left of the video for viewers interested in deeper discussions.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI Hydra

AI Hydra refers to a series of LED aquarium lighting systems by EcoTech Marine, designed to provide optimal light spectrums for coral and aquatic life growth. In the video, the AI Hydra 26 and 52 are compared to the Radion A+ spectrum, indicating their capabilities in replicating the light spectrum produced by the Radion model. The script discusses attempts to match the spectrum of the Radion A+ using the AI Hydra's adjustable settings.

💡Spectrometer

A spectrometer is an instrument used to measure properties of light over a specific portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. In the context of the video, a spectrometer is used to verify and compare the light spectrum settings of the AI Hydra to that of the Radion A+, ensuring the accuracy of the custom spectrum settings.

💡Ecotec Marine Radion

Ecotec Marine Radion is a brand known for its advanced aquarium lighting systems. The Radion A+ spectrum mentioned in the video is a specific light spectrum produced by the Radion model, which is considered a benchmark for coral growth and health in reef aquariums. The video explores how closely the AI Hydra can replicate this spectrum.

💡Spectrum

In the context of the video, spectrum refers to the range of light wavelengths emitted by an LED light source, which is crucial for the growth and health of corals in a reef aquarium. The script discusses the attempt to recreate the Radion A+ spectrum on the AI Hydra, highlighting the importance of matching specific light wavelengths for optimal coral health.

💡LEDs

LEDs, or Light Emitting Diodes, are the light sources used in the AI Hydra and Radion lighting systems. The video mentions the number of LEDs and their capabilities in both systems, noting the differences in the spectrum they can produce. The script discusses how the number and type of LEDs can affect the light spectrum and the overall performance of the lighting system.

💡Wavelength

Wavelength is the distance between two corresponding points in a wave, measured in nanometers (nm). In the video, specific wavelengths such as 415, 420, and 460 nm are mentioned, indicating the importance of these ranges in coral growth and the attempt to recreate the Radion A+ spectrum with the AI Hydra.

💡Hyperdrive

Hyperdrive is a feature in the AI Hydra lighting system that allows for increased light output by driving the LEDs at higher currents. The script mentions the use of hyperdrive settings in the Hydra 26 and 52, indicating how they can affect the light spectrum and intensity.

💡PAR

PAR, or Photosynthetically Active Radiation, is a measure of the light available for photosynthesis by aquatic plants and corals. The video discusses the PAR performance of the AI Prime in comparison to other light fixtures, which is a key factor in determining the effectiveness of the lighting system for coral growth.

💡Reefing Community

The reefing community refers to the group of hobbyists and professionals involved in the care and study of reef aquariums. The script mentions the community's interest in the AI Hydra's ability to replicate the Radion A+ spectrum, showing the collective effort to optimize coral health and growth in reef tanks.

💡Binning

Binning in the context of LEDs refers to the process of sorting LEDs by their color or wavelength output. The video mentions the tighter binning control of the Radion, which allows for a smoother and fuller spectrum compared to the AI Hydra, indicating the importance of precise LED color control for optimal coral lighting.

💡Price Point

Price point refers to the cost or selling price of a product. The script discusses the trade-off between the performance of the AI Hydra and the Radion, noting that the latter offers a more complete spectrum but at a higher price, which is a consideration for consumers in the reefing community.

Highlights

The video discusses the possibility of recreating Radion's AB+ spectrum on AI Hydras.

AI Prime's settings were used as a basis for testing on Hydra 26 and 52 lights.

Aaron's attempt to recreate Eco Tech's coral lab AB+ spectrum for the Radeon is showcased.

Differences in the 415 peak, 420-425 valley, and 460 spectrum area are noted.

The challenge of reproducing the exact spectrum due to different LED capabilities is highlighted.

Custom spectrum settings shared by a reefer are tested on Hydra 26 and 52.

The Hydra 26 settings are compared to the Radeon's AB+ spectrum, showing close similarities.

Day 57's custom settings for Hydra 26 are found to be nearly spot-on for recreating the AB+ spectrum.

The Hydra 52 settings are tested and found lacking in the 660 nanometer range compared to the Radeon.

An attempt to tweak the Hydra 52 settings to better match the Radion's spectrum is detailed.

The limitations of the Hydra LEDs compared to the premium Radeon LEDs are discussed.

The importance of accurate LED binning control for a smoother and fuller spectrum is emphasized.

The video concludes that recreating exact spectrums between fixtures can be difficult due to LED differences.

A call to action for viewers to join the sponsor forum on Reef2Reef for more in-depth discussions.

The video ends with an invitation for viewers to submit more questions for future episodes.