Aqua illumination question!

johnyboy · Mar 20, 2015

Hey guys i'm definitely going to go with the aqua illumination lights. I have a 75 gallon tank which is 48 x18x21 and I was wondering which of the three lights I need and how many. Either the vega hydra 52 or hydra 26. There very expensive so i was looking at the hydra 26s because they r the cheapest. Will I be able to get away with 2 hydra 26s for my tank? Will that be enough? Thanks for your replys!

acroaddict · Mar 23, 2015

johnyboy said:
Hey guys i'm definitely going to go with the aqua illumination lights. I have a 75 gallon tank which is 48 x18x21 and I was wondering which of the three lights I need and how many. Either the vega hydra 52 or hydra 26. There very expensive so i was looking at the hydra 26s because they r the cheapest. Will I be able to get away with 2 hydra 26s for my tank? Will that be enough? Thanks for your replys!

My friend has 2 Hydra 26's over a 72 Bowfront. He has had great results and spectacular growth.

hart24601 · Mar 23, 2015

IMO unless your tank is 30" deep using multiple hydra 26's over 1 hydra 52 is much better. I am a big fan of even coverage with LEDs and for most 24" deep tanks or less the 26's are the way to go. What are you keeping? I would think 2 would be good for a medium light tank, 3 would be for lots of SPS all over the tank or if you are silly like me you can use 4 of them (over a 120 48x24x24). A lot depends on your rock work too. If you have 2 rock structures on either end and nothing in the middle 2 fixtures could work great and then put lower light corals on the sand bed in the middle.

Nice thing is that once you get the fixtures and the director you can always add more fixtures and link them right in if you decide that you require more light.

Thunderfan · Mar 23, 2015

Following, i have a 75 also and am thinking about going with 2-26s. I was wondering how high you would put them over the water surface? I have 2 rock structures like your talking about have mostly lps, very little sps, very few softy. Currently running ocean revives and having good luck. Wanting something with a little more control and i like the small size of the 26s.

johnyboy · Mar 30, 2015

My fish store told me the 2 26s wouldn't be enough for my tank

bneufelder · Mar 30, 2015

You would need 2 Hydra 52's for a 75. Not sure if 26's could pull it off or not. I was able to light up a 40b with 1 Hydra 52.

johnyboy · Mar 30, 2015

Are the vegas better than the hydras?

hart24601 · Mar 30, 2015

Did you ever say what you wanted to keep? I stand by what I said above, I think 2 26s would be fine for medium light coral and 3 would be perfect for just about anything. I am running 26s over my 120 and am happy with them.

WhoKnew · Mar 30, 2015

I have one Hydras 52 over my 46 bow. It works fabulously. Better to add on if needed. They are crazy expsensive, but worth the results.

johnyboy · Mar 30, 2015

Question. If I get the director that means I can use my iPhone as the remote. So would I need to buy the AI remote as well or can I just buy the director

johnyboy · Mar 30, 2015

I want all corals so I prob will go with 2 vegas or two hydra 52

bneufelder · Mar 30, 2015

Dont new the remote if you have director. I usually use my PC to configure lights. You can use your phone.

The vegas are powerful but dont have as many colors. The hydras have more colors but less power, the 52s have the color and power and the 26s have the same exact puck as the 52s but even more power. 52s have 4 pucks and 26s have two pucks. Two 26s are like 120% or so of one 56. The best part is you can space them out easier.

For a 75 I would guess you would need 3 26s and two rails. So would end up costing a bit more but may give you a better spread.