AI Hydra 26 Setting Up w/Remote

[nyc reefer]

I just picked up (2)Hydra 26 and a remote to place over my 24 x 24 x 20 cube. I'm currently using them in Great Barrier Reef setting but the lights seem a little purplish, I'm looking for more of a 12K or 15k look not pale white and not too blue. Can someone help me to set up these lights using their settings? Another thing I don't understand is the ramp up and down setting - it goes from 1-12 is that hours?

Thanks

 

[Lenny718]

I have the same lights. I've never used the location settings so I can't help you there but what I did was just play with the colors on manual and once I found the spectrum I liked I just copied them to the automatic timer. As far as ramp up yes it goes by hours. This is a thread over on RC that I found very helpful in setting up the lights http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2428538&highlight=hydra+26+settings

 

[nyc reefer]

Hydra 26 Settings

Thanks Lenny, you mind sharing your settings?

 

[Lenny718]

Your welcome and sure. My lights are 12" above the waterline and it's a jbj 45g cube. I made the mistake of cranking up the power to much when I first got the light, my Ritteri anemone loved it but I toasted my sps lol. This is what I'm running now and my still turn up the whites more but only in 5% increments per week to see how my corals are responding.

White 30%
Deep blue 95%
Royal Blue 95%
Red 25%
Green 25%
Uv 25%
Violet 25%
It gives the tank a nice 20k look. Also these lights tend to be on the white side which is why I had to compensate with the blue.

 

[nyc reefer]

Hydra 26 Setting

Thanks just programmed them using your numbers on the easy timer setup menu. Hope the corals respond nicely with these numbers.

 

[Lenny718]

How do you like the spectrum with the settings? I think it's a good mix, not to blue and not to white.

 

[nyc reefer]

Hydra 26 Set Up

I like the spectrum, good hint of blue but not purplish. I'm gonna run with these settings and see how my corals react.

Thanks

 

[Lenny718]

No problem and keep me posted on your results.

 

[caad3]

Looking to set up my hydra 26 and this post is just what I was looking for. Thanks again Lenny

 

[Lenny718]

Glad I could help, didn't want anyone to make the same mistake I did and burn up there corals. It's a great light and powerful, just gotta tweak it to your personal preference.

 

[nyc reefer]

Update -

I got the lights and a rail system with 5" legs, but I decided I didn't like the way it took away from the tank's aesthetics. I went ahead and hung it above the tank utilizing the rail which I cut to accommodate the two hydra 26 snugly 1/2" on each end. I leveled it 12" above the tank center front to back, side to side. I would like someone's opinion whether they are to high off the water line.

 

[Lenny718]

Not to high at all at looks great! 5" was way to close to the waterline anyway IMO.

 

[nyc reefer]

Light Height

Thanks Lenny, I was getting some salt creep on the lights at 5" from me doing maintenance. I like how clean the tank looks with nothing on the rim and the light rack w/legs was not pretty.

 

[nyc reefer]

Still Learning

You I'm using the wireless remote- when I program a start and finish time for example 7:40am start to 7:05 fish time with 3hr ramp time.

Some Questions:

1) is that a good light cycle?

2) the 3hr ramp time means my lights start a 7:40am and continue to increase in intensity for 3hrs until approx 10:40am? And they stay at my top setting until 7:05pm when it starts to ramp down to until 10:05 when they'll be off?

Or

Do they start to ramp down at around 4:05pm to off setting at 7:05pm? Because I'm try I got to figure out how many hours my lights are running at my full settings a day.


Thanks

 

[Lenny718]

The ramp up starts before the preset time you program the lights to come on and the ramp down goes past the time you program to shut off. I recommend anything from 8-12hrs but every setup is different.

 

[caad3]

I know I should find the instructions and read them. But still fuzzy on ramp time. If say I have 3 hour ramp and preset is 10:am. Does the light start kicking on at 7am? And the same question for ramp down. preset is 7pm, lights continue to stay on but ramp down until 10pm.

 

[Lenny718]

Yes, the ramp up and down starts before and after your presets

 

[nyc reefer]

Ramp Up/Down

Thanks for explaining the ramp up/down issue. I felt that I went to bed w/ lights on and thought they were on through the night. But makes sense now.

 

[Lenny718]

No problem, I made the same mistake myself when I first got them and noticed that they were still on even after the set end time.

 

[nyc reefer]

Hydra 26 Settings

Lenny how many hours total (including ramp up and down) do you recommend for LPS and zoas?