lighting suggestions please

[Corwyn]

Hi gang,
So I have a 2 + year old Hydra HD26 light and it's acting up. It keeps shutting off and then not restarting. At first the light was turning blue but now it's turning white.

I called tech support and they think it might be a hardware issue with the wifi in it.
My concern is that even under best scenario my tank would be without lights for 3 days but likely a week.
So will my tank survive that?

tech support said about $150 worst case, but including shipping we're about $200+.

So is it worth it fixing or should I just buy a new light fixture?
If so, what do you recomend? I liked the HD26 for this E170 tank, but are some brands better, cheaper but still as good?

Anyone local that might have it in stock for competitive price?
or can I buy something cheap that will not create an algae explosion?

Thanks for the help.

C

 

[Chris A.]

@dz6t I think is a supplier of them

 

[PSU4ME]

If they are rebuilding the guts of it and you're getting back a "like new" fixture that they are giving a warranty on that might be your best route....if you're able to borrow an intermediate light while its away.

 

[dz6t]

This issue is most likely due to a damaged computer board. It is quite common to have moisture get into the fixture via the power socket, that is why the new generation of Hydra32HD have “pig tails” coming out of the fixture which put the power socket far away from the led fixture and reef tank.

If they replaced the computer board, this issue will happen again. Also the LED pads are two plus years old already which can be already degraded due to overheating (which is another issue AI addressed in their new Hydra 32 HD).

I put these opinions out so that you can decide what to do next.

In my opinion, older generations of AI Hydra are not worth the effort to repair. I suggest you talk to AI and see if they will give you a trade in value for your Hysra 26HD toward a new Hydra 32HD.

 

[Corwyn]

I have a red sea 170. What o you guys think of the 16HD is that enough light for this tank? I dont really do too much sps, the few pieces can go on the top 6-8 of the tank. Only other thing I am thinking about is a clam somewhere down the line. When I talked to AI they didn't mention anything about a trade in. Do they do that?

 

[dz6t]

They used to do trade for defective led toward a new one. It does not hurt to ask.
An AI prime 16HD won’t cover your tank especially now they come with tiny led clusters.