Is 5 AI Hydra 32 HDs enough?

[ptine_6]

Hey everyone, I'm just finishing up buying the lights for my 6'x2'x2' 180 gallon tank. I plan for it to be mostly sps dominated and I was wondering I have enough lighting. I will have 5 Hydra 32s on it pretty soon. Are those enough for a tank of this size or do you guys think I won't get enough spread?

 

[cdemoss01]

IMO it should have enough... But it's SPS so it's always better to go for the light with the most effective range for your tank etc.

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

I had 6 xr15s on a 6ft tank and eventually added a 5 ft t5 to the front and back due to shadowing….SPS dominant.

I think it’s enough for now. Once things grow in you may have to add more lighting…but maybe led bars or something to help with shadows, etc.

 

[Hooz]

Get them mounted correctly and they will cover just fine. I'd get them up to 12-14" above the water line, and I'd turn them perpendicular to the tank (front-to-back) to get the best spread over the 2' width of the tank. I'd run 3 "tanks" in the app for best control. Pair the outside lights, then pair the middle lights, then run the center light by itself. You can load up the same schedule on all of them (same time points and color mix), but you can tune each group's intensity individually. You'll find that you have some hotspots where the lights overlap, but you can tune most of that out if you setup the groups or "tanks" separately.

If anything (as mentioned), maybe add a couple strips down the line to help fill in the front and back. Meso Blue Quanta Helix bars would pair really nicely with Hydras. But if you're starting with frags, it'll probably be a year or more down the line.

Also... Watch for the new lenses coming from @luxdium ... If the 16HD/32HD/64HD lenses are anything like the ones he released for the HD/26HD/52HD lights, they increase spread, blend better and NEVER MELT. A little birdie told me that they are just around the corner.

 

[Create New]

Also... Watch for the new lenses coming from @luxdium ... If the 16HD/32HD/64HD lenses are anything like the ones he released for the HD/26HD/52HD lights, they increase spread, blend better and NEVER MELT. A little birdie told me that they are just around the corner.

I've been waiting so long for the 32HDs from Luxdium