Upgrade Your Reef Tank Lighting with Aquaillumination Hydra 32s

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Previous Lighting Setup
3. Upgrading to Hydra 26s
4. Issues with First Batch
5. Differences Between Hydra 26s and 32s
6. Comparison of Price and Affordability
7. Aluminum HMS Rails
8. Future Plans for Tank
9. Frag Swap Finds
10. Conclusion

Upgrading to the Hydra 32s: A Comprehensive Review

Hello everyone! Today, I wanted to share with You my experience upgrading my lighting setup from the AI Prime to the Hydra 26s, and then to the Hydra 32s. As an avid reef keeper, I am always looking for ways to improve the health and growth of my corals, and lighting is a crucial component of that. In this article, I will go over my previous lighting setup, the process of upgrading to the Hydra 32s, and my thoughts on the new lights.

Previous Lighting Setup

Before I upgraded to the Hydra 32s, I had been using two AI Prime lights on my 65 gallon reef tank. While these lights had served me well for about a year, I was ready for an upgrade. Prior to the AI Primes, I had used Chinese LEDs, which had also worked well for me. However, I had experienced a tank crash with those lights, and decided to switch to the AI Primes for their reliability and quality.

Upgrading to Hydra 26s

About a month ago, I decided to upgrade my lighting setup to the Hydra 26s. I purchased them from Bulk Reef Supply, but unfortunately, they arrived with an issue with the driver. After contacting AI, I learned that this was a common issue with the first batch of lights. However, AI was quick to send me new lights and the issue was resolved.

Issues with First Batch

As Mentioned, the first batch of Hydra 26s had some issues with the driver. However, AI was quick to address the issue and send out replacements. It's worth noting that this is not uncommon with first batches of new products, and AI's customer service was excellent in resolving the issue.

Differences Between Hydra 26s and 32s

Shortly after I received my Hydra 26s, AI released the Hydra 32s. While I was initially disappointed to have just purchased the 26s, I decided to upgrade to the 32s anyway. One major difference between the two lights is that the 32s are no longer Wi-Fi capable and instead use Bluetooth. Additionally, the 32s have more LEDs and are brighter than the 26s. However, the 26s are now much cheaper and still a great option for those on a budget.

Comparison of Price and Affordability

In terms of price and affordability, the AI lights are more affordable than some other options on the market, such as the Radions. While the 32s are more expensive than the 26s, they are still a great value for the quality and features they offer.

Aluminum HMS Rails

One issue I encountered when upgrading to the 32s was that they are thinner than the 26s, which caused them to be a bit loose on my aluminum HMS rails. However, this was easily fixed with a spacer and some tie wraps.

Future Plans for Tank

Currently, my tank is overstocked with softies, so I plan to upgrade to a 72 gallon tank in the near future. I am still deciding whether to stick with two lights or add a third. I will be documenting the upgrade process and sharing it with my viewers.

Frag Swap Finds

Lastly, I wanted to share some of my recent finds from a local frag swap. I picked up a couple of amazing mummy eye corals, one of which is my favorite coral in my tank. I also picked up a green mummy eye and an orange one, both of which are stunning.

Conclusion

In conclusion, upgrading to the Hydra 32s was a great decision for me and my tank. While there were some issues with the first batch of lights, AI's customer service was excellent in resolving the issue. The 32s are brighter and have more features than the 26s, but the 26s are still a great option for those on a budget. I am excited to Continue to improve my tank and share my Journey with my viewers. Thank you for reading and happy reef keeping!

Highlights

• Upgraded from AI Prime to Hydra 26s, then to Hydra 32s
• First batch of Hydra 26s had issues with driver, but AI quickly resolved the issue
• Hydra 32s are brighter and have more features than the 26s, but are more expensive
• Aluminum HMS rails required a spacer for the 32s
• Future plans include upgrading to a 72 gallon tank and documenting the process
• Recent frag swap finds include stunning mummy eye corals

FAQ

Q: Are the Hydra 32s worth the extra cost compared to the 26s? A: It depends on your budget and needs. The 32s are brighter and have more features, but the 26s are still a great option for those on a budget.

Q: Did you have any issues with the first batch of Hydra 26s? A: Yes, there was an issue with the driver, but AI's customer service was excellent in resolving the issue.

Q: How did you fix the issue with the 32s being too thin for your aluminum HMS rails? A: I used a spacer and some tie wraps to secure the lights to the rails.