Need Lights

[Gary Ellis]

I have an RS Max E260. It came with 2 AI Hydra 26's. One of them has failed. They are out of warranty. So should I send the failed light back and pay to fix it or get two different brands that are more up-to-date?

 

[JaaxReef]

I have an RS Max E260. It came with 2 AI Hydra 26's. One of them has failed. They are out of warranty. So should I send the failed light back and pay to fix it or get two different brands that are more up-to-date?

This seems like a personal budget question for which we can’t answer, but if you can swing it, you would get some great coverage for that tank with two Radion G5 XR15s.

 

[Gary Ellis]

How do these differ from the 26's. ?

 

[JaaxReef]

How do these differ from the 26's. ?

More output and much better spread. Don’t need to be mounted as high off the tank. Better spectrum too some would say.

 

[alain Bouchard]

you could buy 2 popbloom rs90. They punch a lot for the price, and they look good.

 

[Cell]

Do you want to upgrade your lighting?

 

[Gary Ellis]

Do you want to upgrade your lighting?

Yes, but I'm wondering how do you upgrade? I only used my Hydra 26's at about 63% power so more power isn't what I'm looking for. I have only a couple of stick corals and open brain and mostly Zoas.

 

[jiffyjhn]

I’m in the same boat. I’m using 5 year old Kessils(2x a160we and a350we). They work fine and never broke. and I’m only using about 40% intensity. Would there be any benefit to upgrading to recent kessil models?

 

[JaaxReef]

Yes, but I'm wondering how do you upgrade? I only used my Hydra 26's at about 63% power so more power isn't what I'm looking for. I have only a couple of stick corals and open brain and mostly Zoas.

So improving spread is the main reason (especially if your “stick” corals are growing out) to reduce shadows. Otherwise just get your 26s fixed.

 

[Demi_Reef]

popbloom rs90