Optimal Mounting Height & More: AI Hydra 32's Ultimate Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. How Many AI Hydra 32's Do I Need?
3. How Many Watts is the Hydra 32?
4. How High Should I Mount the Hydra 32?
5. What is the Best Light Schedule for the Hydra 32?
6. How Do I Download or Share Somebody Else's Hydra Settings?
7. Pros and Cons of the AI Hydra 32's
8. Conclusion
9. FAQ

AI Hydra 32's: The Ultimate Guide for Hobbyists

If You're a hobbyist looking for the perfect lighting solution for your tank, the AI Hydra 32's might just be what you need. These lights are designed to provide optimal lighting conditions for your corals, while also being energy-efficient and easy to use. In this article, we'll answer some of the most common questions about the AI Hydra 32's, and provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.

How Many AI Hydra 32's Do I Need?

The number of AI Hydra 32's you need depends on the size of your tank and the Type of corals you're trying to grow. For a 70-gallon 24 square inch cube, you will need One AI Hydra 32 if you're trying to build an LPS softy tank. For a standard four-foot long, 120-gallon tank, you would need two Hydra 32's. However, if you want an SPS dominant tank, you will need more PAR and a better spread. For that same 70-gallon, 24 square inch cube, you would be better off going with a Hydra 64 instead of the Hydra 32. And for that four-foot long, 120-gallon tank, if you want an SPS dominant tank, you're going to need four AI Hydra 32's.

How Many Watts is the Hydra 32?

The Hydra 32 consumes 90 Watts of power at full capacity.

How High Should I Mount the Hydra 32?

According to Randy's BRSTV Investigates series, the optimal Height to mount the Hydra 32 is between 12 inches and 14 inches. At 14 inches, the light is able to better disperse throughout the tank, so you don't have a hotspot in the middle. This will bring you an average of 261 PAR in the middle and 126 PAR in the corners. If you were to mount the Hydra 32 at eight inches, you would have a huge hotspot in the center, with an average PAR of 533, with only an average of 85 PAR on the outside. To achieve that optimal mounting height, you can either use that Hydra led flex arm, or the HMS single mount system, or you can use the Ceiling mount system as well.

What is the Best Light Schedule for the Hydra 32?

The best lighting schedule is super dependent on a hobbyist's goals and their specific tank. But here's our recommendation for something that will give you good coral growth and doesn't look completely Blue. Turn on the UV and violet to 110%. Then put the royal and blue to 120%, add 10% for each the green and the deep red, and finally bring the cool white up to 60%. Then to get the optimal PAR levels for your tank, adjust the lights up or down, being sure to keep the ratios the same between the lights. The easiest way to adjust the PAR levels while keeping the ratios the same is to use two fingers and drag up or down to increase the overall intensity of the lights. We recommend a nine-hour photo period as a baseline, with a 30-minute morning ramp and a 30-minute evening ramp. But of course, you can adjust these to fit your schedule and your needs.

How Do I Download or Share Somebody Else's Hydra Settings?

Downloading or sharing somebody else's Hydra settings can be a bit tricky, but it's definitely doable. To download a schedule from the internet, you need to get the .aip file onto your phone and then share it with the app. For some reason, you can't figure out how to do this from your phone. You have to use a computer and then transfer that file to your phone. Pull up the AI signature series page. We'll use David Saxby as our example. Download the setting to your computer, from your computer send yourself an email with the .aip file as an attachment. Open the email on your phone, press and hold your finger on the attachment. Select share, and locate the myAI app symbol. If it's not there, you may need to click on more to find it. Then open the myAI app, click on your tank, and then the lighting tab at the bottom. Click on the star, and choose select preset. And voila, there is the new preset. If you want to share a preset with a friend, open up the myAI app on your phone, and select the lighting tab. Click on the star and choose share preset, choose mail and email it to your friend. Then your friend just needs to follow the instructions we just went over.

Pros and Cons of the AI Hydra 32's

Pros:

• Energy-efficient
• Easy to use
• Provides optimal lighting conditions for corals
• Can be adjusted to fit your specific tank and needs

Cons:

• Can be expensive
• Downloading and sharing settings can be tricky

Conclusion

The AI Hydra 32's are a great lighting solution for hobbyists looking to grow corals in their tanks. They're energy-efficient, easy to use, and provide optimal lighting conditions for your corals. While they can be expensive, they're definitely worth the investment if you're serious about your hobby. Just be aware that downloading and sharing settings can be a bit tricky.

FAQ

Q: How many AI Hydra 32's do I need for a 50-gallon tank? A: It depends on the type of corals you're trying to grow. For an LPS softy tank, you would need one AI Hydra 32. For an SPS dominant tank, you would need more PAR and a better spread.

Q: Can I adjust the PAR levels on the Hydra 32's? A: Yes, you can adjust the PAR levels by adjusting the height of the lights and the intensity of the different colors.

Q: Are the AI Hydra 32's easy to install? A: Yes, they're very easy to install. You can use the Hydra led flex arm, the HMS single mount system, or the ceiling mount system to mount them.

Q: Can I use the AI Hydra 32's for freshwater tanks? A: Yes, you can use them for freshwater tanks as well as saltwater tanks.

Q: How long do the AI Hydra 32's last? A: The AI Hydra 32's are designed to last for many years with proper care and maintenance.