Hydra Edge 68HD Saltwater Aquarium Light – AquaIllumination

The AI Hydra Edge represents significant improvements to the Hydra lighting platform now with 135 Watts, Controllable Shimmer, 100 Degree lens, articulating mounting options and more!  (Mounting Arms & Adapters Sold Separately.)

• A new, sleek form factor
• A completely new light engine that combines the desirable aspects of a point light source with the desirable aspects of a panel fixture
• A full output spectrum based on natural light, decades of experience, consumer feedback and input from experts
• More flexible mounting
• Control through multiple aquarium equipment control apps
• Improved pricing

Why Choose the Hydra Edge 68HD?

• Best of Both: Point Source (Solar Ring) and Panel (EdgeField) like the Blade
• LED selection that produces the highly tuned Solar Blue spectrum at 100% on all channels
• LED selection that provides tailored, full spectrum output while eliminating dedicated Red and Green channels in favor of increasing the tunability of the aesthetically more desirable blue and blue to white channels
• AquaIllumination is by volume the most used and trusted aquarium lighting in the world
• Proven track record of growing coral and proving beautifully lit aquariums
• Made in the USA at AquaIllumination’s manufacturing facility in Bethlehem PA
• Backed by the best customer service team in the industry
• 3 Platform control integration: Mobius, Fusion, and myAI
• Extensive Mounting Solutions with many options to fit your tank’s needs

LED’s

• 10 Blue
• 6 Royal Blue
• 8 Violet
• 10 Cool White
• 2 Warm White
• 8 UV

Feature Alert : 1. Solar Ring

Controllable shimmer and caustics! Solar Ring brings a new dimension to aquatic lighting with shimmer and sparkle. Consolidated white LED channel control and centrally placed LEDs let you dial up or lower the drama against a constant backdrop of solid illumination.

All New for the AI Edge!

• Dedicated assembly of white and warm white LEDs in the center of the AI Edge cluster (Marine and FW vary)
• LED location, concentration and optic geometry creates an independently controlled caustic engine
• The Solar Ring provides exceptional and controllable tank shimmer previously available only from narrow optic and coverage fixtures

Feature Alert : 2. 100 Degree Spread

Optics optimized for covering up to 30 square inches of your aquarium with smooth color mixing, even PAR and little to no shadowing. Lighting you have to see to believe.

• Custom designed optics for the Hydra Edge deliver 100 degree spread
• Delivers great coverage over a 30×30 inch area while minimizing shadows and hot spots

Feature Alert : 3. EdgeField Optics

Optics that deliver even PAR, smooth color mixing, exceptional spread, and a gentle shimmer. EdgeField Optics integrated with modular cluster LEDs allow light to wrap around high points in your tank and provide a smooth blanket of illumination with minimal shadowing.

• Introduced as the optical engine used on Blade lighting.
• Custom optic design that channels wide light output through an opaque medium and redirects it.
• Creates super even output through internal color mixing and light redirection.
• Increases efficiency by utilizing otherwise out of angle light output.

Feature Alert : 4. Solar Blue Spectrum (Marine Only)

Built with over a decade of lighting success. The Hydra Edge delivers full spectrum lighting tuned to what’s important for a shallow reef. Use the Solar Blue spectrum as a base and then customize it to get the look, glow and colors that you like most.

• All new for the Hydra Edge is a new and exceptionally well crafted spectrum.
• Available in the Marine versions of the Hydra Edge only.
• Simulates shallow reef light spectrum.
• Provides finer control over the active and aesthetically important parts of the blue spectrum range.

Mobius Hydra Edge Templates

Templates Included – Fast setup with appealing full day programs are a benefit to using templates.

The Hydra Edge features pre-built templates to make getting started quick and easy and to provide different looks to use or modify to your taste.

Feature Alert : 5. Dedicated Moonlight

• Introduced with the Hydra 32 and 64. Now integrated with the Hydra Edge.
• Dedicated moonlight channel.
• 2300K LED Moonlight.

Just because the sun goes down doesn’t mean that there’s nothing to see. Simulate the moon cycle with the touch of a button and watch what your aquarium inhabitants are up to after dark. Great for simulating your animals’ natural environment and fun for you.

Feature Alert : 6. Hyper Drive

HD (HyperDrive) technology lets you transfer unused power from a channel of LED’s not being fully utilized to one that is. Take control and blast the colors you want with HD! Customize your colors and output quickly and easily with the Mobius app, or take it to the next level with Fusion control through MXM.

• Introduced on earlier Hydra models featuring HD.
• Allows power that is not being used on one channel to be applied to other channels with additional capacity.
• Does not exceed LED specifications but does allow maximum use of wattage from power supply.
• Provides user with more flexibility in spectrum.
• Ultimately increases efficiency of light by allowing full use of available wattage given your output preference.

Button Control: Simple and Standard

On fixture control on the Hydra Edge cycles through intensities at 20% increments (while unprogrammed) the fixture will retain the intensity setting last chosen with button through power cycling. Once programmed, the button can be used to factory reset the fixture (other actions required).

• Standard Button and indicator light usage as previous model Hydras.
• Unprogrammed: Cycle intensity or Factory Reset (additional action).
• Programmed: Factory Reset (additional action required)

APP Control (Marine)

Hydra Edge connects instantly to the easy to use and super powerful Mobius control app. (free on google play or the app store) Program, add to groups containing other AI equipment, access templates, set scenes, the options are endless.

Mounting Features

Important New Developments in Mounting the Hydra Edge.

• Hydra Edge lights are mounted using two M8 threaded holes on the left and right side of the fixture.
• There are two sizes 44 and 68 of “c” brackets and two types – back mount (3) and top mount (4).
• “C” brackets allow the light to be angled (1). In the case of a single mount both back and top brackets provide this capability. In the case of the traditional top mount (4) “c” bracket the light can also be rotated 180 degrees.
• Flex arm kits and hanging kits will be immediately available for Hydra Edge. HMS kits and hybrid kits must be used with the appropriate sized adapter kit (HYDE44AK or HYDE68AK) until HMS kits are revised to replace Hydra parts with Hydra Edge parts.
• HYDE44AK contain both a top mount and a back mount “c” bracket for a single Hydra Edge 44HD/ 44HD FW. HYDE69AK contain both a top mount and a back mount “c” bracket for a single Hydra Edge 64HD

 

FAQs About the New Lights

Q: What’s the coverage area of the Hydra Edge? (How many for my tank)

Both models of the Hydra Edge (44 and 68) are designed to cover roughly 30 inch by 30 inch when mounted at 9 inch or less above the water. The light intensity as dictated by the fixture wattage and number of LED clusters results in higher peak PAR at surface with the larger fixture providing higher PAR numbers at depth. (the 68 will be slightly larger than the 44 due to the fixture size)

Q: What is the Solar Blue Spectrum and why should I be excited about that?

The Solar Blue Spectrum is the name given to all-on (100% on all channels) light output of the Marine version of the Hydra Edge. It is a carefully balanced spectrum focused on providing a stunning visual appearance to the aquarist while hitting the spectral peaks valuable to coral as they would be on a shallow reef. While many will appreciate this spectrum others will want to adjust it through the Mobius control app.

Q: What is the Solar Ring and why should I be excited about it?

The Solar Ring is a ring of white LEDs in the center of the Hydra Edge cluster. This allows for the creation of an independently controlled channel/component of the light engine that in addition to spectral output also simulates a separate and high intensity point light source. The effect is an independently controlled caustics engine that can be used to adjust relative shimmer.

Q:What’s the difference between the 44HD and the 68HD and which do I need?

The main difference between the models is intensity. While the coverage area of the 68 may trend slightly larger than the 44, the wattage and supporting LEDs is roughly 50% more. That means more PAR in the same area. Generally speaking depth of tank and needs of the inhabitants should determine which model to go with. On tanks over 30 inch deep we would suggest the 68 over the 44.

Q: How do I mount the Hydra Edge lights?

At launch a variety of mounting options exist. These include a dedicated Flex arm mount, hanging kit and size appropriate adapters for all existing Hydra (HMS) mounting solutions including, single arm, multi-arm, suspended rail and hybrid options.

Q: What is the difference between the Hydra 44HD Freshwater and the 44HD and 68HD.

Spectrum. The44HD and 68HD have a marine tuned spectrum built around coral color and growth. The freshwater spectrum around showcasing tropical fish and and live plants.

Q: What Does HD stand for and what does it mean?

HD stands for HyperDrive. This functionality allows you to use any available power not being used by the light to be added to an individual lighting channel. For example if you were not using all the available wattage on a white channel you could use that to add power to a blue channel and effectively run that channel at more than 100% up to the maximum capability of the LEDs on that channel

Q: Do the Hydra Edge lights have a moonlight channel?

Yes. You can enable a simulation of the lunar cycle and lighting through the Mobius app.

Q: I don’t see red or green leds in the marine versions of the Hydra Edge lights. Are they still considered full
spectrum?

Yes the white LEDs provide plenty of light in the red and green spectrum. However, for ease of control and AI aquarist preference, in the Hydra Edge the focus is control of the key near uv, blue and white channels. In the Freshwater version the red and green remain present and isolated due to the value added when tuning the spectrum for freshwater plants and fish.

Q: How does the Hydra Edge compare to the equivalent Hydra lights I have and should I upgrade?

Upgrading aquarium lighting is a personal choice and should take into account a number of factors including how long you’ve had the existing lights, their condition and goals for your aquarium. The Hydra Edge will have different spectral and light elements to the Hydra. With these different features if you choose to move to Hydra Edge we recommend using an acclimation period and a PAR meter to ensure an easy transition.

Q: Will the existing HMS mounts that I am using or that are on store shelves work with the Hydra Edge?

Yes. The existing HMS mounts will work with the Hydra Edge, however due to the edge mounts and pivoting capability of hydra Edge model lights you will need to obtain a Hydra Edge mounting adapter kit.

Q: I have Hydra lights will they still be supported?

Yes. AI supports all products for a minimum of 2 years following the completion of production.

Q: How Do The Hydra Edge lights compare to the Blade and Prime Lights?
Blade and Prime lights are different lighting lines. In general the Hydra line is higher output in a pendant style fixture. Blades are comparatively lower wattage large form factor- for use as supplemental or as multiples as a primary light source.Primes are intended as a lower output and more compact light for smaller tank sizes than typically recommended for Hydra products.