Debating going Hybrid ?

[Balanje]

Hello --
I have a 90 gal (48" x 18" x 24") mixed reef tank. It's been running for about 18 months with 2 AI Hydra 26's with pretty good success. I have some coral at multiple levels (pic attached) but growth is slow and I have shadowy areas. I'm debating either getting a third Hydra 26 or going with a hybrid T5 fixture (looking at the 48" Aquatic Life T5HO). I'm leaning hybrid but is that too much light for my tank?

Any insight is much appreciated.

 

[Zohar78]

I believe you should go hybrid, see how it goes with that. I have a 60x18x28tall tank, with three radions xr15 and added hybrid it definitely smooths out the light in the tank.

 

[Jon Fishman]

I put two 48” Aquatic Life hybrids over my tank.... the look (no shadows) is amazing

I vote hybrid

 

[Balanje]

I put two 48” Aquatic Life hybrids over my tank.... the look (no shadows) is amazing

I vote hybrid

Thanks! When you say two, you mean two bulbs in the fixture?

I guess that would be my next question, what’s the best way to adjust the tank ?

 

[Punchanello]

It's not really a question of too much light. That can be adjusted by the height or dimming of the light.

It's a question of spread and coverage and if that's what you're after then hybrid is the way to go.

 

[Travis Stewart]

I have the same size tank as far as width but not as deep. I started with two hydra 26 HD and recently added a prime in the middle. IMHO I still don’t feel like it’s enough light. I recently measured par and wasn’t that thrilled with the results. Drops pretty significantly after you get to about 6-7” below the water surface. I have mine about 8-9” off the water surface and run blues/purples maxed out at peak and peak whites at 20%.

 

[Zohar78]

Thanks! When you say two, you mean two bulbs in the fixture?

I guess that would be my next question, what’s the best way to adjust the tank ?

it looks like he has an 8ft long tank, so two 4ft hybrid fixtures end to end to cover the whole tank.

 

[Jon Fishman]

it looks like he has an 8ft long tank, so two 4ft hybrid fixtures end to end to cover the whole tank.

This. ^^^^

 

[outerbank]

I set up my hybrid LED-T5 set up today. It looks so much better. We will see how the coral respond, but I suspect growth and health will be much better.