Grath Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 Hi everyone, Just joined your great forum - This is my first post.! So i´m starting up my new Innovative Marine Fusion 20 tank. It meassures 24"x15"x13" My plan for the tank is mainly SPS on 2 islands. I have spend hours and hours researching lights, and it all came down to these 2 lights: Kessil a160we with controller OR AI Hydra 26 with controller. The Nano Box is unfortunatly not an options, since i´m located in Denmark Europe. I don´t want to go through the hassle of sending back and forth, if the light fails on me. If i could get the Nano Box in Denmark, i think i would be all over it.! I have worked out the different pros and cons of the 2 lights. The Kessil is great for shimmer, mounting, TRUE UV, sleek look. The Hydra is great for options, spread, "warmer colors". The Kessil is bad for "beam light" not reaching corals on the side, spread. The Hydra 26 is bad for mounting on a long tank, mounting options in general, lack of kessil shimmer. My question for now is this: Will the Hydra 26 be my best option for a tank this size.? Will it reach and spread enough to keep SPS on my 2 islands.? What is my other options if any.? I want to do it right from the start... Not to much (bleach corals) Not to little (No growth). I hope you can help me. Thank you very much in advance. Link to comment
c-bskt Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 I was considering a hydra 26 for my fusion 20g but the light spread worried me. I too have two islands, I feel a regular hydra would be a better spread for our tanks. If you decide on a 26 I would mount it high to help with spread. Link to comment
Grath Posted March 21, 2015 Author Share Posted March 21, 2015 Thank you for your reply. I understand what you´re saying. But i´m kinda not feeling the regular Hydra - It´s an "outdated" light (still works wonders for sure), but the 26 or 52 is just a new generation with much better output and options.' I have seen http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/335598-dts-ada-60f-shallow-reef/and he uses/used the regular Hydra with good results (only 4 months thread though). Stuff like that makes me want to jump on the regular Hydra, but i feel bad about byuing an old gen light. Yes maybe the Hydra 26 would fit my 24" tank, if i placed the light a bit higher. I hate the mounting system though... Not designed for long narrow tanks. You went with a Maxspect i see... You got a good deal, or decided it was a better light than the AI.? Thanks. Link to comment
Caravanshaka Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 Instead of a hydra 26, you may want to consider 2 primes instead. You can place each one directly over an sps island and have the same power with an updated LED puck compared to the 26. It's a bit more than just a 26, but the spread will be well worth the extra money, not to mention you don't have to buy a controller. Link to comment
trunglippo Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 Since you consider keeping sps in your tank, then I suggest you go with Al Hydra 26 and hang the light up like 11 inches from water surface. The light cab cover 24x24 Kessil is not strong enough for some sps. You can check my building thread and figure out more. Hope this help Link to comment
Grath Posted March 21, 2015 Author Share Posted March 21, 2015 Thx for your replys guys, i appreceate it. I have been braining the Prime´s, and it looks absolutely awesome.! But i´m in the process of buying my new light now, and can´t/won´t wait on the Primes to arrive to Denmark. Who knows when it´s available here. The Hydra 26 is actually only really going to light up a maximum of 20-21 inches in my tank it seems. The Islands is not all the way to the glass, and eventhough i know that the higher you go in the tank, the more narrow the light beam is going to be, i have also come to believe, that the Hydra 26 should be a fantastic option for my tank, if i raise it 9-11 inches abowe the water level. If only the Nano box was sold over here... It is probably going to be the Hydra 26 (and i need to stop braining on these lights... Been going on for 4 days now lol). Now i need to start braining on how to mount them... Link to comment
Grath Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share Posted April 1, 2015 So to follow upon this post, and for anyone who wonders if this light will work on the Fusion 20 or any other tank with 24" in lenght. I bought the AI Hydra 26 and got it the other day. I love this light... Well build and just feels awesome. The mounting options for a "long" tank is very limited (non existing really) so i had to make my own. In the photos you can see what i came up with. I´m happy with it, and the light is covering my tank.! It sits 9,44" above the waterline (24 cm). Link to comment
gus6464 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Hydra 26 will grow anything on the Fusion 20 no matter where you put it. Link to comment
Grath Posted April 3, 2015 Author Share Posted April 3, 2015 I hope so (and think so). Now i just need to sit on my hands for 4-6 weeks more, and hopefully by then, be ready to introduce some SPS to the tank. Link to comment
Polarcollision Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 You didn't go wrong IMO. I have the original hydra over my tank and grow SPS no problems. Love the 7-channel control too. Link to comment
StimulusPackage Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 Do you still happy with your Hydra 26? I have a IM Fusion 20 and was thinking about getting one. Also what lighting settings are you running? Link to comment
HarryPotter Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 Shameless bump... 2 Hydra 26s WITH wireless and controller for sale for $420 shipped. New you would get one for $240 and then the controller for $100 (and wireless).... So that's an extra Hydra 26 for only $80! (Because two is always better than one ) http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/367388-fs-2x-hydra-26-with-ai-controller/#entry5188801 Link to comment
Quinnr Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 So to follow upon this post, and for anyone who wonders if this light will work on the Fusion 20 or any other tank with 24" in lenght. I bought the AI Hydra 26 and got it the other day. I love this light... Well build and just feels awesome. The mounting options for a "long" tank is very limited (non existing really) so i had to make my own. In the photos you can see what i came up with. I´m happy with it, and the light is covering my tank.! It sits 9,44" above the waterline (24 cm). Where did you find the stuff for that mount i like it! Link to comment
spectra Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 Where did you find the stuff for that mount i like it! I am sure they just made it themselves. Looks like either 1 1/2 or 1 1/4 tube and flat bar. Link to comment
ecvernon Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 I like that mount also. I wonder how much it costs to get it made. I am really se on purchasing the Hydra 26 HD for my Nuvo 20 but mounting options for the unit sucks. Link to comment
atoll Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/369628-diy-lighting-brackets-for-ai-hydras/ Link to comment
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