Lighting upgrade for 135g

[zwalter38]

I have a 135g mixed reef in progress. Currently I have two AI hydra 32’s. The tank is 72”L 24”H 18”W. I have a variety of corals currently some soft, lps and some easy sps. Everything seems to be doing well, just growing super slow. I’m looking for advice on what to upgrade my lights with. I really like the hydras, so I’m considering looking for one or two more used hydra 32’s. The other option I’ve seen in the AI Blades. Would the one or two more hydras be a better option? Or supplementing the two hydras I already have with some of the blades?

 

[KandAReefs]

I think you will be in good shape no matter the choice. I would add the hydras personally that would give you more options later if you get a different tank.

 

[zwalter38]

I think you will be in good shape no matter the choice. I would add the hydras personally that would give you more options later if you get a different tank.

That is a good point I haven’t considered really. Plus it would let me run them at a lower percentage if I wanted. Right now they are pretty much at 100%

 

[KandAReefs]

The blades work very well as a fill light but from the sound of it you could make more use of the extra fixtures over just filling in some shaded spots.

 

[zwalter38]

The blades work very well as a fill light but from the sound of it you could make more use of the extra fixtures over just filling in some shaded spots.

That makes sense, how many more hydras would you recommend?

 

[KandAReefs]

That makes sense, how many more hydras would you recommend?

I think you had the right idea adding 2 more.

 

[zwalter38]

I think you had the right idea adding 2 more.

Yea just the price tag keeping me from pulling the trigger lol. I’ll have to keep an eye out for used hydra 32’s in white.

 

[zwalter38]

Little update on this thread. I found some NIB hydra 32’s. Once I get them how should I acclimate my tank to the additional lights?