Hydra 32 HD

Name: AI Hydra 32 HD
Brand: AI

Mid-tier reference

Lighting

Aqua Illumination's 32-puck Hydra — the sub-$1K reef LED that punches in EcoTech's territory. Tidal Gardens runs banks of these.

Channels

7 HD (UV, Royal Blue, Blue, Cool White, Deep Red, Green, Hyper Violet)

Total LEDs

55 Cree XP-G3 + Osram

Power draw

135 W max

PAR @ 30cm

~500 µmol/m²/s @ 70% white

PAR @ 50cm

~240 µmol/m²/s @ 70% white

Hydra 32 HD

$413.99 at Bulk Reef Supply

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Summary

AI's Hydra 32 HD is the volume play in premium reef LEDs — 7 color channels, Bluetooth + WiFi + myAI cloud, and an HD spectrum upgrade over the older non-HD. Lower per-watt cost than Radion XR15 at higher coverage. The other major US reef LED besides Radion, mostly chosen by people who hate Ecotech's pricing.

Best for100-250 US gal mixed reef, 24-36 in tank width per fixture MountAI HMS / RMS hanging or rigid arm Skill intermediate

Light spread (PAR cone)

PAR readings in µmol/m²/s at typical white-channel program · spread cone illustrative

Full specifications

Channels 7 HD (UV, Royal Blue, Blue, Cool White, Deep Red, Green, Hyper Violet)

Total LEDs 55 Cree XP-G3 + Osram

Power draw 135 W max

PAR @ 30cm ~500 µmol/m²/s @ 70% white

PAR @ 50cm ~240 µmol/m²/s @ 70% white

Spread 24 × 24 in @ 18 in height

Cooling Active fan (audible at peak)

Dimensions 212 × 212 × 38 mm

Weight 1.6 kg

Control myAI app (iOS/Android/web) + Bluetooth + WiFi

Warranty 1 year

What sells it / What holds it back

✓ Pros

✓ Lower price per PAR than Radion XR15 (Ecotech's flagship)

✓ myAI cloud is free + cross-platform — beats Radion's iOS-only mobile app

✓ ReefLink-style ramping with cloud schedules

✓ Wide US dealer support (BRS / Marine Depot / Premium Aquatics)

✓ Modular: chain multiple fixtures on one controller

✗ Cons

✗ Active fan adds noise — not silent like fanless Illumagic

✗ Older HD models had driver failures (current revision better)

✗ Spectrum dominated by blues — corals need careful UV channel adjustment to avoid bleaching

✗ Mounting hardware sold separately ($60-100)

What's in the box

Hydra 32 HD fixture
Universal 120/240V power supply
AC cable
Quick-start booklet

Pairs with / Replaces

Pairs with

Neptune Systems

Apex Controller

Featured in famous tanks

This piece of gear is in the documented build of 1 tank tour.

187 gal

ReefBum's 187-Gallon Mixed Reef

Keith Berkelhamer (ReefBum)

Mixed reef

Where to buy

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Retailer	Price	Stock	Checked
Bulk Reef SupplyAff bulkreefsupply.com	$413.99	In stock	today	Buy →

Side-by-side compare

	This product AI Hydra 32 HD $413.99	Illumagic 2 × Mini X See site
Channels	7 HD (UV, Royal Blue, Blue, Cool White, Deep Red, Green, Hyper Violet)	14 (true independent — not paired)
Total LEDs	55 Cree XP-G3 + Osram	84 Cree XP-G3 + Osram OSLON
Power draw	135 W max	120 W max, ~85 W typical reef program
PAR @ 30cm	~500 µmol/m²/s @ 70% white	~450 µmol/m²/s @ 70% white
PAR @ 50cm	~240 µmol/m²/s @ 70% white	~200 µmol/m²/s @ 70% white
Spread	24 × 24 in @ 18 in height	60 × 60 cm @ 30cm height, 80 × 80cm @ 50cm