SRC Member PaulPaul01 Posted December 17, 2018 SRC Member Share Posted December 17, 2018 Hi guys, I was thinking of upgrading my lights to Hydra 26 HD. I'm not really into SPS centred tanks because of their requirements, so I would like to know whether 2 Hydra 26 HD is enough for a mixed reef 48 inch (Length) by 30 inch (Height) by 27 inch (Depth/Width). It has a brace bar in the middle, so the lights will be positioned on each side of the tank. Will 2 be enough, or will I need 3 Hydra 26 HD/2 Hydra 52 HD? Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Jeebusai Posted December 17, 2018 SRC Member Share Posted December 17, 2018 3 x 26 will give u a much better spread compared to 2 x 52. The common issue is the brace bar or overflow in the middle. Most people use a hanging kit or rail to overcome this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member PaulPaul01 Posted December 17, 2018 Author SRC Member Share Posted December 17, 2018 3 x 26 will give u a much better spread compared to 2 x 52. The common issue is the brace bar or overflow in the middle. Most people use a hanging kit or rail to overcome this. I see.. thanks:) Do you think I can get away with just 2 Hydra 26 HD? I'm keeping mostly LPS and softies with the exception of one Stylophora, and I think my SPS count will remain that way hahaSent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Jeebusai Posted December 17, 2018 SRC Member Share Posted December 17, 2018 6 minutes ago, PaulPaul01 said: I see.. thanks:) Do you think I can get away with just 2 Hydra 26 HD? I'm keeping mostly LPS and softies with the exception of one Stylophora, and I think my SPS count will remain that way haha Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app For a start yes, place the lights higher but may be unsightly and glaring to ur eyes. U will also have lots of “blind spots” and the spread is just not there. The good thing about hydra is the diffuser is inbuilt. Whereas for Radions, u need to purchase them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member PaulPaul01 Posted December 17, 2018 Author SRC Member Share Posted December 17, 2018 Thanks:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzlesc Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 So gents ... u reckon 1x 26 hydra sufficient for 2 ft tank for starters?Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member PaulPaul01 Posted December 19, 2018 Author SRC Member Share Posted December 19, 2018 49 minutes ago, fuzzlesc said: So gents ... u reckon 1x 26 hydra sufficient for 2 ft tank for starters? Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app After a bit more reading, pretty much yes, but it depends on what you are keeping. Not really sufficient for an Acro tank, but decent SPS like Digitatas in the upper parts of the tank should be alright. Your issue won't be intensity but more of shading of certain areas in the tank, which can be solved (most cost effectively) by a T5 hybrid. Also better if you get the HD version. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Jeebusai Posted December 20, 2018 SRC Member Share Posted December 20, 2018 If budget allows. And eventually u want to keep more demanding sps, the Radions are a good chioce. Having used both. I prefer the intensity of the Radions. But some prefer the hydras. Interface for hydras are much better with built in WiFi. U need a laptop for Radions unless u buy a reef link. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzlesc Posted December 23, 2018 Share Posted December 23, 2018 On 12/20/2018 at 3:29 PM, Jeebusai said: If budget allows. And eventually u want to keep more demanding sps, the Radions are a good chioce. Having used both. I prefer the intensity of the Radions. But some prefer the hydras. Interface for hydras are much better with built in WiFi. U need a laptop for Radions unless u buy a reef link. Thank you for sharing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzlesc Posted December 23, 2018 Share Posted December 23, 2018 On 12/20/2018 at 12:08 AM, PaulPaul01 said: After a bit more reading, pretty much yes, but it depends on what you are keeping. Not really sufficient for an Acro tank, but decent SPS like Digitatas in the upper parts of the tank should be alright. Your issue won't be intensity but more of shading of certain areas in the tank, which can be solved (most cost effectively) by a T5 hybrid. Also better if you get the HD version. Thank you for sharing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member unicornfart Posted December 24, 2018 SRC Member Share Posted December 24, 2018 On 19/12/2018 at 11:12 PM, fuzzlesc said: So gents ... u reckon 1x 26 hydra sufficient for 2 ft tank for starters? Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app I used to have 1x26HD for 2ft cube.. I think it's just nice for starters. Got another set last month.. SPS been growing like weed. 100% no regrets. The only regret is she's pulling 90W extra :x Currents setup 2x26HD 2x24w T5 Pics for reference. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Reefhappy Posted January 13, 2019 SRC Member Share Posted January 13, 2019 I am also using 1 X hydra 26 for 2ft cube ...sps dominantSent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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