Hydra 26HD 3D shade???

[Tou]

Hi Reefers
I recently brought two hydra 26HD. I see some people runs 3-D printed shade and defusers on the lights.

- can anyone tell me what's the purpose of of the shade?
- what's pros and cons on using the shade and Is it worth it?

- Also got questions regrading defuser, is What's the pros and cons on it? Is it worth using it?

Thank you all for helping a noobie.

 

[AutumnReefs]

The shades help prevent light from spilling into the room (making it more narrow) and the diffuser helps with color blending do you don't get the issue of seeing a bunch of color dots on the sand. I wouldn't use the shade (assuming the light is 13 inches off the water or so, but I would use the diffuser.

 

[Tou]

Thanks for the tip

 

[PeterC99]

Wow! Just put new 3D printed new light spill shades on my Ecotech Xr30 Radions and what huge difference they make! Big thanks to @chemisfun11 who designed and printed them. Significantly reduces light spread outside of aquarium and reduces almost all glare when viewing aquarium. The light is now focused into the Aquarium and the colors are popping! These should come standard with the lights - it’s like I just put brand new lights on the aquarium. Pictures don’t do these shades justice - amazing transformation. (Note - Lights also have diffusers.)