Hydra Lights for 120G (4x2x2)

hoju74 · Feb 28, 2020

Last week, it was Kessil, this week it's AI's turn...lol. I saw the Kessils at an LFS and to be honest, the shimmer was a little much for my taste.

If I was going to consider AI Hydra for a 120g tank that will be a mixed reef (Lps, zoas, shrroms, monti's...no acro's or harder SPS) am I better off going with 2 of the 64's or 3 of the 32's ? I had AI Sols on my 65g tank many years ago, so I'm no stranger to AI products.

I'm also open to T5 supplementation, but would like to avoid it if possible so I don't have to replace bulbs.

Side question...the tank has a center brace. Would putting on of these over the center brace running longwise be a waste ? I would think a good amount of light would still make it into the tank.

NanoSteam · Feb 28, 2020

I'm running a Hydra 26 HD but with the 3Dreefing diffuser and I feel this might be what you're looking for. It's a very subtle and soft shimmer. Very pleasing to the eye. Reminds me of a MH shimmer.

How long is the tank? That would better help answer the question of 2 64's vs 3 32's. As far as the center brace question, I don't think it'll be too bad as long as the light is at an appropriate height to allow the light to spread.

hoju74 · Feb 28, 2020

NanoSteam said:
I'm running a Hydra 26 HD but with the 3Dreefing diffuser and I feel this might be what you're looking for. It's a very subtle and soft shimmer. Very pleasing to the eye. Reminds me of a MH shimmer.

How long is the tank? That would better help answer the question of 2 64's vs 3 32's. As far as the center brace question, I don't think it'll be too bad as long as the light is at an appropriate height to allow the light to spread.

Tank is the standard 120g, so 4 ft x 2ft x 2ft

NanoSteam · Feb 28, 2020

hoju74 said:
Tank is the standard 120g, so 4 ft x 2ft x 2ft

That's a tough one, but I'd probably go with the two 64's.

jguerin88 · Feb 28, 2020

imo i’d run 3 32s, more controllability over each “zone” of the tank , or run 2 64s and t5 combo

hoju74 · Feb 28, 2020

Yeah, it's a hard choice. Since I'm not doing Acro's, I may opt for the 32's and see how it goes for awhile.

windemerejack · Feb 28, 2020

I run 3 26 hd's on my 4 ft, and it works a charm, this was also the advice I got from Tony@D-D.

snowhite · Feb 28, 2020

I'm using 2x 32's over a 90 gallon, but I'd probably go 2x 64's over a 120. The center brace would definitely bother me using 3, so 2 32's running higher, or 2 64's running lower.

Tuffyyyyy · Feb 28, 2020

I think 3x of the Hydra 26/32 is going to be the most common with this tank. I just up a 120g and I'm doing 2x Hydra 32, 1x AI Prime 16 (in the middle), and 2x 48" T5 bulbs.

jguerin88 · Mar 1, 2020

i’ve got a 80 dt that i’m setting up and i’m thinking 2 26hd arnt going to be enough for the 48x24x16 dims but i don’t have a center brace

Sgolden · Mar 2, 2020

I use 4 hd26 w/ 4 t5 . 5 ft x2ft x 2ft .
Even with the t5 off, I get really good light. I custom made a bracket for the hybrids so the 26’s are width wise front to back. It gives my take better high end light corner to corner.
FYI, I run led 8 hrs, t5 4 hours peak time
with yours, I would go with 3 hydra . You should consider adding t5 or a led strip in addition .

hoju74 · Mar 2, 2020

Yeah...I think adding T5 is almost a given for my set-up no matter what lights I choose.

mike550 · May 8, 2020

hoju74 said:
Yeah...I think adding T5 is almost a given for my set-up no matter what lights I choose.

@hoju74 I have a similar size tank with euro brace in the middle. What did you end up choosing for your lights?

hoju74 · May 9, 2020

mike550 said:
@hoju74 I have a similar size tank with euro brace in the middle. What did you end up choosing for your lights?

I haven’t yet....still in the planning stages. Trying to decide between a SCA 120g or a marineland corner flo 120g. The SCA doesn’t have the middle brace though