Introducing the Hydros XHO LED Light

[JeffB418]

Last Friday Coralvue announced the upcoming LED light for Hydros, and showed it off at RAP NY this past weekend. Designed in collaboration with ReefBrite.

https://www.instagram.com/coralvue/reel/C8mwHg_JjXX/?hl=en
https://www.coralvue.com/hydros-xho-reef-light

Details:
- 100% Hydros device, with a full Hydros wifi chip inside. Can be used stand alone or added to your existing collective via wifi (no command bus needed) using the Hydros App.
- Multiple sizes available, 12", 23", 35", 47", 59", 71"
- Approx power: 30W per 12" section
- 24VDC powered (Kraken compatible)
- 7 controllable channels (4 physical channels - white, blue, violet, and moon simulation)
- Passive cooling
- Powered by Reefbrite diodes
- Integrated T slot for mounting with a variety of solutions
- Pricing and availability to be announced in the future.

 

[thamnasteroid]

How many types of blue LEDs does this light have? Most lights on the market have two different types of blue LEDs: one regular blue, and one royal blue--some lights also have cyan LEDs.

 

[JeffB418]

How many types of blue LEDs does this light have? Most lights on the market have two different types of blue LEDs: one regular blue, and one royal blue--some lights also have cyan LEDs.

It has blue and violet channels that cover these spectrums


The white channel has a mix of cool and warm white that provides the cyan band and above


All Combined you get

 

[thamnasteroid]

It looks like there are two different blue LEDs used: a ~460nm diode, and a ~430nm diode. How wide is the blue/purple spectrum on this light compared to other LEDs on the market?

 

[Hooz]

Actually has a pretty decent spectrum from the looks of it. A little disappointed that they dedicated a full third of the diodes to the white channel, though.

"But you can just turn them down."

Well, yes, you certainly can. But then your 30w light becomes a 20w light.

I like alot about it, though. I'm curious to see how the prices compare to some of the other stuff out there.

 

[braaap]

Actually has a pretty decent spectrum from the looks of it. A little disappointed that they dedicated a full third of the diodes to the white channel, though.

"But you can just turn them down."

Well, yes, you certainly can. But then your 30w light becomes a 20w light.

I like alot about it, though. I'm curious to see how the prices compare to some of the other stuff out there.

Their claims of most control of any LED are laughable. My arrays I sell offer more control, better spectrum and more power in a 2x3" chip lol

 

[thamnasteroid]

Actually has a pretty decent spectrum from the looks of it. A little disappointed that they dedicated a full third of the diodes to the white channel, though.

"But you can just turn them down."

Well, yes, you certainly can. But then your 30w light becomes a 20w light.

I like alot about it, though. I'm curious to see how the prices compare to some of the other stuff out there.

I personally like whiter lights, because it looks more natural. I don't like the actinic lighting and "highlighter" tanks that are popular in the hobby right now. Bluer lights also don't show the bright, non-fluorescent colors commonly seen in shallower-water corals, such as the canary-yellows, pinks, etc.

 

[Peair]

Last Friday Coralvue announced the upcoming LED light for Hydros, and showed it off at RAP NY this past weekend. Designed in collaboration with ReefBrite.

https://www.instagram.com/coralvue/reel/C8mwHg_JjXX/?hl=en
https://www.coralvue.com/hydros-xho-reef-light

Details:
- 100% Hydros device, with a full Hydros wifi chip inside. Can be used stand alone or added to your existing collective via wifi (no command bus needed) using the Hydros App.
- Multiple sizes available, 12", 23", 35", 47", 59", 71"
- Approx power: 30W per 12" section
- 24VDC powered (Kraken compatible)
- 7 controllable channels (4 physical channels - white, blue, violet, and moon simulation)
- Passive cooling
- Powered by Reefbrite diodes
- Integrated T slot for mounting with a variety of solutions
- Pricing and availability to be announced in the future.

I hope they have a good price, it looks like the old style LED's, I like that you can control it in their app.

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

That whole unit looks like 5 steps backwards in LED technology progression. Reminds me of the AI Blades....

 

[Hooz]

That whole unit looks like 5 steps backwards in LED technology progression. Reminds me of the AI Blades....

Unlike the Blade, at least this one is a "full spectrum reef light" without having to buy two separate strips. :D

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

Unlike the Blade, at least this one is a "full spectrum reef light" without having to buy two separate strips. :D

True, but "full spectrum" is an often over used term. Every light that comes out has the same basic spectrum lately.

 

[oreo54]

Loosely using the term "white channel" it is a bit strange.
Its kind of green.. on paper.
nice bump in the 500nm + range..
Ignore any power data.. I just default at like 2000 lumens.

 

[apb03]

I saw this one in person at RAP. They did say there will be two versions, like the Radions, so there'll be a bluer option. I was suspicious of Tulio's claim of white light, but we'll see.

I liked that these lights can be added to a collective without a cable and that they are passively cooled. Also, the extruded aluminum rails, in addition to their support for the Ecotech format, add some cool mounting options.

Overall, these have the potential to be a pretty decent light. They compete head-to-head with the AI blades, but I'm not going to immediately replace my lights, either.

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

Not to be a downer, but they look like Chinese black boxes with an app.

 

[oreo54]

Not to be a downer, but they look like Chinese black boxes with an app.

Ohh harsh...they are a bit utilitarian but not near a shoe box shape...

Pic is of one 12" unit.. "IF" I remember correctly they'll have lights in 12" multiples.
48" will look pretty beefy without being boxy.
But yea not ATI class but better than Coralcare.

Slots for tank legs too.

 

[JeffB418]

Ohh harsh...they are a bit utilitarian but not near a shoe box shape...

Pic is of one 12" unit.. "IF" I remember correctly they'll have lights in 12" multiples.
48" will look pretty beefy without being boxy.
But yea not ATI class but better than Coralcare.

Slots for tank legs too.

Yeah the larger units look more proportional. Here’s Carlos’s head for size comparison lol

 

[areefer01]

But yea not ATI class but better than Coralcare.

No, they are not knock offs but rather rebranding with a bit of controller functionality throw in. There is also a lot of market speak in the video especially surrounding coral spawning. I understand some want the feature but most hobbyist do not have the skill set or time to properly collect eggs let alone have corals that have been collected properly to perform the task. It isn't going to happen in the home hobbyist bedroom is my point.

Also I don't understand the "better than Coral Care" comment. How are they better? I don't believe they are filling the same roll in a hobbyist configuration. They are not the same wattage nor have the same spread unless I am missing something.

 

[apb03]

I don't think anyone knows how good they will be. I think they will be a decent light that integrates into the Hydros ecosystem but will not touch the high-end market.

 

[rtparty]

Since they won’t run Mobius, they already beat Ecotech in that area.

If Hydros is building them or at least controlling QC, they should beat Reef Brite in that area.

If they don’t weigh 20 pounds each, they beat Coral Care.

The spectrum is miles ahead of the Blades.

Not sure where these wouldn’t stack up to the “high end” lights. A black box grows corals just as well as a Radion.

If anything, Tullio is one of the only manufacturers trying to push the hobby back towards common sense when it comes to lighting.

I have no use for these but more options, more better.

 

[oreo54]

No, they are not knock offs but rather rebranding with a bit of controller functionality throw in. There is also a lot of market speak in the video especially surrounding coral spawning. I understand some want the feature but most hobbyist do not have the skill set or time to properly collect eggs let alone have corals that have been collected properly to perform the task. It isn't going to happen in the home hobbyist bedroom is my point.

Also I don't understand the "better than Coral Care" comment. How are they better? I don't believe they are filling the same roll in a hobbyist configuration. They are not the same wattage nor have the same spread unless I am missing something.

I was strictly referring to their form not function.. i.e shoe box black box, Coralcare industrial heatsink, ATI thin panel..

Not to be a downer, but they look like Chinese black boxes with an app.

Flip side is kind of bb-y..

Hmm awful recessed for likely 120 degree diodes..