Ai Prime VS 32 Hydra HD

[MrDeathKills]

Hi my wife has given me approval to cut a hole in our 32gallon biocube hood. But the stipulation is the light has to go i to the hood and not been seen from the outside. So the 2 commons lights i see being installed are The ai prime and the hydra 26 or 32. Which one would you perfer and why? Whats the pros and cons of both. We want to be able to grow anything and everything we want on the coral world.

 

[Spare time]

The hydra 32hd is two AI prime 16hd. That is the only difference. My concern with your plan is that you are going to have very bad spread since the light is supposed to be something like 12-13 inches.

 

[SteveEreef]

You might want to take a look at these if your not going to remove the top
https://www.stevesleds.com/Biocube-32-LED-Turbo-Upgrade-System-Plug-and-Play_p_332.html

 

[MrDeathKills]

The hydra 32hd is two AI prime 16hd. That is the only difference. My concern with your plan is that you are going to have very bad spread since the light is supposed to be something like 12-13 inches.

The stock hood on the 32 is 16in plenty of toom.

 

[MrDeathKills]

You might want to take a look at these if your not going to remove the top
https://www.stevesleds.com/Biocube-32-LED-Turbo-Upgrade-System-Plug-and-Play_p_332.html

I have also been looking at these. The biggest issue after talking to some people that use these is that while they do work. They are a lot of money for what they are doing. I am still on the fence just trying to knock it down to if i went one way or the other

 

[argiBK]

The stock hood on the 32 is 16in plenty of toom.

Many LEDs need to be placed 12+ inches above the water line to achieve ideal spread and light blending, otherwise you'll get heavy spotlighting in your tank. Unless you're able to make or find a diffuser similar to the ones for Radions.

You might also risk condensation seeping into the unit unless there's a barrier between the water and light.

 

[MrDeathKills]

Many LEDs need to be placed 12+ inches above the water line to achieve ideal spread and light blending, otherwise you'll get heavy spotlighting in your tank. Unless you're able to make or find a diffuser similar to the ones for Radions.

You might also risk condensation seeping into the unit unless there's a barrier between the water and light.

What is spotlighting? Also yes the stock splash guard can go right over the unit after install. There is a lady i was ralking to said she had to take the lenses off though to be able to do her hydra 26 so I assume i would hve to do the same with the hydra 32.

 

[Acros]

You could try using multiple Kessil A80s. They have good spread, but you will need multiple of them.

 

[MrDeathKills]

You could try using multiple Kessil A80s. They have good spread, but you will need multiple of them.

Would have to make a lot of holes to have even 2 of them.

 

[mattzang]

What is spotlighting? Also yes the stock splash guard can go right over the unit after install. There is a lady i was ralking to said she had to take the lenses off though to be able to do her hydra 26 so I assume i would hve to do the same with the hydra 32.

turn on a flashlight 4 inches from a wall, note how much light is on the wall. point the same flashlight at same wall 12" away, note how much light is on the wall

 

[MrDeathKills]

turn on a flashlight 4 inches from a wall, note how much light is on the wall. point the same flashlight at same wall 12" away, note how much light is on the wall

The lens is what makes the focal point. By taking it off it disperses light wildy. Which is why if you take the lens of the hydra it will work from even an inch away. Its just ruins the numbers.

 

[Spare time]

The stock hood on the 32 is 16in plenty of toom.

It is right on the water surface. You will get hot spots right in the center with very little spread. This is why mounting height is so crucial to a light's performance.

 

[Spare time]

The lens is what makes the focal point. By taking it off it disperses light wildy. Which is why if you take the lens of the hydra it will work from even an inch away. Its just ruins the numbers.

The lenses on these lights are designed to provide a wider spread.

 

[Dakippy]

I popped off the hood of my bio cube and put an ai prime on top. I'm very happy with it.

 

[Spare time]

I popped off the hood of my bio cube and put an ai prime on top. I'm very happy with it.

I think that (plus an optional custom hood) is the best option

 

[mattzang]

The lens is what makes the focal point. By taking it off it disperses light wildy. Which is why if you take the lens of the hydra it will work from even an inch away. Its just ruins the numbers.

sounds like you have it all figured out. good luck