AI Hydra HD comparisons?

irishmatt · Feb 16, 2016

Has anyone had a chance to compare the new Hydra HD's to other lighting options, like the Radion PRO? I'm looking to get some new led's but there's not much comparative information on the HD's.

Thanks guys

ckozma · Feb 18, 2016

I just got two 52 HD's and did a lot of comparison between the two before I purchased, as I could afford either. The only difference that I can find is that the Radion PRO has one yellow led in each puck. Other than that, the HD's have more LED's and more pucks, which means better coverage. They also have WiFi built-in so no need for a director or ReefLink. That makes them much more cost effective. From my research so far at least, the yellow LED's are only for looks, there is no usable spectrum. This makes the output of both lights very comparable IMO.

irishmatt · Feb 19, 2016

Thank you! I was leaning toward the hydras just couldn't find any info comparing them to the Radions. I really like that they have a wifi chip built in and I feel that for the amount the companies are asking more lights should come with features that make them more usable. Instead of adding a yellow LED for example.

What size tank do you have the hydras on? I have a standard 120 (4x2x2) do you think that two 52's will cover it?

hart24601 · Feb 19, 2016

The 52HD are 600 so 1200 for the tank. I would say that you would be better served with 3 hydra 26s for 1050 or personally I would go with 4 26s, but I think 3 26s would be better and cheaper than 2 52s. But I am biased:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/so-what-are-ai-hydras-really-capable-of.235534/

ckozma · Feb 19, 2016

irishmatt said:
Thank you! I was leaning toward the hydras just couldn't find any info comparing them to the Radions. I really like that they have a wifi chip built in and I feel that for the amount the companies are asking more lights should come with features that make them more usable. Instead of adding a yellow LED for example.

What size tank do you have the hydras on? I have a standard 120 (4x2x2) do you think that two 52's will cover it?

Currently I have a 65G, which is 36" X 18" X 24" and I am running two 52 HD's. The coverage is great! But I bought these lights with expandability in mind, as I have a 180 sitting in my garage waiting to get set up for two years now. I expect these lights to cover a 2' X 2' X 2' area if I hang them at the correct height. I am currently only at 5" AWL as that is all I need and I do not want a lot of light spillage. They will need to be hung at twice that on the 180.