Hydra 26HD Lights

[Chris922]

Buyer beware! I have been in the hobby for 20 years and never had a lighting problem. I have, until recently, run Kessil A350 on a 80 gallon custom tank. I loved the lights and the shimmer effect. I recently, within the last 7 months, wanted to try the new Hydra 26HD lights, which have an app to control the output, ramp up and down and have different weather effects. I bought the lights and installed in the same hanging location as my Kessil's were. After 6 months the lights would turn on and off as they heated up and I could see the fan was no longer working. I called Hydra and they sent out a new fan with a you tube link on how to replace it. Done, easy project but still did not work. I called again and they had me send the lights back, which I did and they sent a new one. Once I received the new one, I hung it in the same located, which is approx. 14" from the water. Once again, I had functioning lights. However, I then received an email from Hydra that I was being charged 250.00 for water damage on my old unit. They tried to attach a picture but it was blocked as spam. I then get a second email stating they were now charging me 350.00 for water damage. No explanation, nothing! I called and they re-sent the picture, which was blurry and kept telling me to look at this one spot on the circuit board. I asked them how a unit that still worked could have suffered water damage and explained how far it was from the water. No explanation, except may someone had wet hands and tried to adjust the lights. These lights adjust via remote control, not the unit and I have had Kessil lighting hanging in the same spot for years. Hydra's customer service has a lot to be desired and the only thing I got was they could not tell me anything and they were sorry but I was still being charged. I fully understand and take responsibility for things if they are my fault but as we all know this is a very expensive hobby and I take care of and service my equipment religiously. You can do better Hydra......back to Kessil for me. Rant over.....Now back to reefing...