Orphek vs AI Hydra HD

[NaH20nerd]

Taking a poll to help get my mind right regarding my next LED lighting purchase. I’m getting ready to light up a 65 gallon aquarium (36x20x20). My top two candidates are the Orphek Atlantik Compact and two AI Hydra 26 HD. The cost is about the same, but definitely some differences. I like the ease of set up and controllability of the AI Hydras but I’ve seen nothing but excellent reviews of the Orphek. So, what do you guys suggest? At the end of the day I think they’d both meet the demands of my tank (mostly soft corals/LPS) but I may venture into SPS later on. Not sure yet but I’d like to have the ability if I ever do move in that direction.

So please share your thoughts and if you have either of these LED’s please share a pic of how you mounted them. Please and thank you.

 

[Ignitros]

Where are you comparing prices? What are the costs for you as of today?

 

[NaH20nerd]

Where are you comparing prices? What are the costs for you as of today?

AI Hydra 26 $350ea x2= $700
Orphek Compact = $770

 

[Ignitros]

@NaH20nerd If it were me and I was looking specifically at those 2 manufacturers and SPS corals later? I would go with the Orphek Atlantik V4 Gen 2. On sale it's $900 and you could add a second one later if you even needed for SPS dominant. If you're wanting bang for the buck do the 2 Hydra 26 HD now then add a 3rd later if you start to add more SPS.

My personal tank is 36" x 18" x 18" and I have 3 of the Kessil A360X. Par is perfect for SPS dominant with most of the tank between 150 and 350 but that's just what I chose to do.

 

[lancesmith1]

I had the full size V4 on the same tank size and it will grow sps when mounted at the suggested 16 inch AWL. I used the Orphek hanging kit. I am not running it any longer. Even when mounted at 16 inches I could see the individual color spots on my aquascape. IMO, they need to develop a diffuser panel. So, until they do, I would suggest the Hydra 26 (X3) with a DIY diffuser or Radions with the factory diffuser. Or, you could build a diffuser for the V4.

 

[Ignitros]

I had the full size V4 on the same tank size and it will grow sps when mounted at the suggested 16 inch AWL. I used the Orphek hanging kit. I am not running it any longer. Even when mounted at 16 inches I could see the individual color spots on my aquascape. IMO, they need to develop a diffuser panel. So, until they do, I would suggest the Hydra 26 (X3) with a DIY diffuser or Radions with the factory diffuser. Or, you could build a diffuser for the V4.

That's why I chose the Kessil they look great and no diffuser needed.

 

[hart24601]

Here was my 120 running Hydra 26s. That being said I would go with orphek hands down.

 

[billwill]

Here was my 120 running Hydra 26s. That being said I would go with orphek hands down.

That looks terrible...

 

[Mark Waltermire]

Here was my 120 running Hydra 26s. That being said I would go with orphek hands down.

Is that a blue lankia starfish? How long were you able to keep it alive?

 

[jschultzbass]

I had the full size V4 on the same tank size and it will grow sps when mounted at the suggested 16 inch AWL. I used the Orphek hanging kit. I am not running it any longer. Even when mounted at 16 inches I could see the individual color spots on my aquascape. IMO, they need to develop a diffuser panel. So, until they do, I would suggest the Hydra 26 (X3) with a DIY diffuser or Radions with the factory diffuser. Or, you could build a diffuser for the V4.

I have my Orphek mounted 14" above water and can't see any individual color spots....like at all. You must be crazy sensitive to it.

OP - don't let the color spots comment suede you, no diffuser needed. Orphek is a better light with more, even spread. The AI is a good light as well but in direct comparison the Orphek wins.

 

[hart24601]

Is that a blue lankia starfish? How long were you able to keep it alive?

Had it a couple years before sold the whole system. I think carbon dosing to boost the food web helps them.

 

[pickupman66]

I really like what I have seen from the Atlantic V4. I have a 32x24x 20D tank and currently have a pair of AI Hydra26HD over it. I absolutely love them and have been extremely pleased. I dont see you having an issue going that route. IMO, the compact is too small and the edges would suffer. I would go the full size route if I were in your place. FWIW, I have run 4 different light configs on this tank. Initially it was a pair of cheap Blue an dwhite black boxes with a full spectrum black box in the middle. then i went to a Reef Radiance 30" light. i missed the shimmer of Halide from my 180 ( but loved the LEDs) so I went to a Radion Xr30 Gen 3. I hated it. it was too focused in the center on my system and the edges suffered. then I put the wide angle lenses on it and still just hated the color. I had it less than a year and swapped to these Hydras last christmas. They have been perfect. I am still on much the same program as I was when I hung them.

 

[NaH20nerd]

Great info so far!! Sounds like it’s a preference vs cost decision. Anyone with the Orphek, can you comment on the programming? Ease of use?

 

[hart24601]

I put the pick of my 120 above with Hydra, now use orphek. Has been plenty easy to use.

 

[Be102]

I have an Atlantik V4 for about a year now.. nothing fancy but this is my tank.

Lots of coraline growth and the corals love the light. I would recommend it to any and everyone

 

[Ignitros]

@NaH20nerd ... I only gave info about the 2 manufacturers you asked about. I too went through the selection process you're going through I know what it's like to narrow your search only to have others tell you to choose a light other than what you started your thread about. I have personally had both of the lights you asked about, both are great lights.

I would personally choose the Orphek given the two choices but I'd go with the full size as you would need 2 of the compact ones to cover your tank sufficiently.

For me what it comes down too is startup cost.

For the Orphek you're going to have $1000+ in that one light with the gateway you need to control it. Add in another $800 later if you add a second but you will not get a better light or better growth IMHO even if you choose to do only 1 light. Just don't select the compact. If you choose 2 lights later you could go wall to wall SPS with no problems.

For the AI hydra 26 you will need 2 at minimum to start so that's less money, 3-4 for best results. That puts your cost about the same startup as 1 Orphek but still less if you chose to go with 2 Orphek or 4 AI and wall to wall SPS. The AI's are definitely easier to use but I don't think the colors pop nearly as much.

Check out these videos to help you choose. The second video is of the AI Prime but still very useful info.

 

[NaH20nerd]

@NaH20nerd ... I only gave info about the 2 manufacturers you asked about. I too went through the selection process you're going through I know what it's like to narrow your search only to have others tell you to choose a light other than what you started your thread about. I have personally had both of the lights you asked about, both are great lights.

I would personally choose the Orphek given the two choices but I'd go with the full size as you would need 2 of the compact ones to cover your tank sufficiently.

For me what it comes down too is startup cost.

For the Orphek you're going to have $1000+ in that one light with the gateway you need to control it. Add in another $800 later if you add a second but you will not get a better light or better growth IMHO even if you choose to do only 1 light. Just don't select the compact. If you choose 2 lights later you could go wall to wall SPS with no problems.

For the AI hydra 26 you will need 2 at minimum to start so that's less money, 3-4 for best results. That puts your cost about the same startup as 1 Orphek but still less if you chose to go with 2 Orphek or 4 AI and wall to wall SPS. The AI's are definitely easier to use but I don't think the colors pop nearly as much.

Check out these videos to help you choose. The second video is of the AI Prime but still very useful info.

I appreciate the feedback. I’ve researched all the top contenders. Giesemann, Ecotech, Kessil (almost selected the Kessil) but at the end of the day I know AI (I currently have a single AI puck lighting my 10 gal. Perfect light for that set up.

I was leaning toward the Orphek already, but then had a crazy cool idea. How cool would it be if my lights, (DT, Sump) and my Pumps were all controlled via BT (My AI app). So I started thinking maybe the AI’s would work. At the end of the day though, the Orphek has been shouted by nearly everyone who has experience with them as the best. Hands down. Above ease of use I want a light that will make corals (any corals) flourish. Once the lighting is dialed in it’s not a everyday adjustment anyway so...Orphek wins. And I believe your right...the full size will be a better choice given the size of my tank. Get what you pay for on that deal.

Next topic...MP40QD vs Nero wave pump...but that’ll be a new thread. [emoji6]

 

[NaH20nerd]

So does anyone know where to buy the Orphek (other than BRS)?? Don’t get me wrong, love BRS but they’ve been out for several weeks. Or is it a pandemic situation. Supply demand out of balance? I wish I had bought the Orphek when they were on sale. [emoji849]

 

[Be102]

So does anyone know where to buy the Orphek (other than BRS)?? Don’t get me wrong, love BRS but they’ve been out for several weeks. Or is it a pandemic situation. Supply demand out of balance? I wish I had bought the Orphek when they were on sale. [emoji849]

I do all my service with [email protected] I also feel prices are better direct.

 

[NaH20nerd]

I do all my service with [email protected] I also feel prices are better direct.

Awesome! Thank you!!