Questions for LED experts

[jcs11236]

I am going to be upgrading my current leds to the AI hydra next week. My current leds are my stock jbj hood moded some. It currently running 77 watts non dimmable. 100% with no optics. It has 15/3w whites, 4/3w blues, 4/3w royal blues, 2/3w uv, and 2/1w moon. The hood is around 4-5" from water surface.
What do you suggest i start my Hydra at. What height and what percentage should I start since my current one are 100%
Any advise would be helpful.
Thanks

 

[jcs11236]

^^?^^

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Is your upgrade for cosmetics, functions or for power? It looks as if you have way more than enough light for you tank by adding some lens. You may consider switching drivers in case you want it to be dimmed by controller.

BTW is your tank ~30G?

 

[jcs11236]

Mainly cosmetics/functions. Love the whole sunrise/sunset. My wife bought the hydra for me. I am just not sure high to ramp the leds up. And also what height to put them over tank. Don't want to bleach corals. Tank is 28 gal

 

[SanmanReefer]

Mainly cosmetics/functions. Love the whole sunrise/sunset. My wife bought the hydra for me. I am just not sure high to ramp the leds up. And also what height to put them over tank. Don't want to bleach corals. Tank is 28 gal

I would go very slow, the AI LED's put out a lot of light. I had the Vegas and they are very intense. I would at least hang them 10-12 inches above the water level just to start and set up an acclimation perio if they have it. Otherwise I would start them at least on 15-20% and monitor your corals, like I said the AI's are very powerful. Hope this helps.

 

[jcs11236]

Thanks for reply. I was thinking the same but thought I could start a lil higher since my current leds are non dimmable. But maybe 20% is best

 

[SanmanReefer]

Thanks for reply. I was thinking the same but thought I could start a lil higher since my current leds are non dimmable. But maybe 20% is best

You are welcome, 20% is about right. You can do increments of 5% weekly until you get to the right intensity. I'd play it safe, I burned a few corals when I installed my Vegas on a 24 inch deep tank. I was running them at 50% initially. Let me know how are the Hydras, I'd like to get one for a frag tank I'm planning on setting up. Good luck with everything.

 

[jcs11236]

I will do a review on them with pics and vids

Thanks again

 

[Coral Theory]

J,

It would be ideal if you could first get your current par measured and then start close to there with the Hydras. Since your tank/livestock is currently used to LEDs and you are not switching over from any other lighting... so you are already ahead of the curve.