Shedding Light on Innovation: A Q&A with AquaIllumination on the New Hydra Edge HD LED Lighting
AquaIllumination just announced the most exciting news of the year in the world of reef aquariums with the release of their all-new Hydra Edge HD LED Lights. Building upon the wildly successful Hydra HD platform, this new powerhouse LED light boasts an improved spectrum & upgraded optics inside a trimmed-down, contemporary form factor.
Cade ShemanskiOur team put together some questions for Cade Shemanski, Brand Manager at AquaIllumination, to learn more about the inspiration for this new LED light and explore the exciting new technologies it has to offer.
Q: What was the reason for a new Hydra LED and what kind of new features can we get excited about?
A: The Hydra Edge was really about evolving with the needs of the hobby and what hobbyists want in a light. We aimed to take everything people already love about the Hydra lineup and push it further—better design, better performance, and features that make it even more versatile. I think we’ve done just that.
Talking about features in the Hydra Edge that I personally love include EdgeField optics, which provide a blanket of even coverage with smooth color mixing and minimal shadowing—similar to what you’d get with a panel light or even a T5 fixture. Then there’s the Solar Ring—it gives you control over what people love most about a point-source light: shimmer and dramatic effects. Plus, we’ve kept fan favorites like HyperDrive technology, so you can fine-tune the spectrum while maximizing available power.
In short, it’s everything you’d expect from a Hydra LED, but with exciting upgrades that take it to the next level.
Q: What fundamental problem does this fixture aim to solve in the aquarium hobby?
A: AquaIllumination has always focused on the concept of Brilliantly Simple, and the Hydra Edge reflects that philosophy by tackling one of the biggest challenges in aquarium lighting: complexity.
With the Hydra Edge, we focused on simplifying two key areas—spectrum and visual preference. The Solar Blue spectrum was designed to mimic the blue tones of natural shallow reefs, with a focus more toward teals instead of royal blues. This gives the spectrum that classic AI look but with a more natural feel. It also puts more control in the hands of aquarists concerning fine-tuning the appearance of the aquarium within the overall spectrum construct.
On the lighting side, we combined EdgeField Optics with the Solar Ring to bring together the best of both point source and panel lighting. You get the shimmer and dramatic effects of a point source, paired with the even coverage and minimal shadowing of a panel.
The Hydra Edge makes aquarium lighting simple and effective, helping you create a stunning display (as long as the other parameters are right, of course).
Q: What are the biggest differences with the older Hydras and why should I upgrade?
A: Oh man, where do I start? The differences are pretty clear right away. First off, we’ve moved away from the puck-style lights that the Hydra 32HD and 64HD had and switched to a more efficient panel fixture, which uses similar technology to our popular Blades. This change alone eliminates the hotspots that some of the older models created.
Next up, let’s talk about the diodes. We’ve removed the red and green diodes because you get those wavelengths from the full spectrum white LEDs themselves. With these open color channels, the Hydra Edge allows a total of x4 channels to control the UV - Indigo nanometer range and x2 channels for white and moonlight. This means you still get that full spectrum, but with way more control over the colors you want, without any guesswork involved.
Overall, a lot has changed, all for the better. It was time for a major upgrade to the Hydra lineup. These are well worth the upgrade in my opinion! Honestly, I haven't been this excited about a pendant-style light since the original Prime HD came out.
Q: The lens design looks similar to what we first saw with the Blade LEDs. Is the Hydra Edge using the same optics and how is it better than the traditional pucks on the original Hydra?
A: You're spot on. It's very similar to the optics used in the Blade, and we now call it EdgeField Optics. EdgeField Optics is a step forward from the old lenses. Redirecting reflected or lost light back into the tank, enhances light distribution and improves color blending. This addresses the hotspots you can get with the puck-style LEDs in the original Hydra series. It's a more efficient design that makes a noticeable difference in your tank's lighting.
Q: With the new EdgeField optics, what's the coverage area of the Hydra Edge and how many do I need for my tank?
A: The coverage area remains similar to the previous models. The Hydra Edge 44HD and 68HD will cover an area up to 30 inches by 30 inches, or 24 inches by 24 inches for SPS corals. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want one fixture for every 2-3 feet of tank length, depending on your lighting needs. For deeper or more light-demanding SPS tanks, the 68HD will be a better fit than the 44HD.
Learn More: Download Hydra Edge HD Mounting Guide
Q: What is the Solar Ring and how will it benefit my reef tank? What was the reason for this approach?
A: The Solar Ring is one of my favorite features on the Hydra Edge. It's all about shimmer—and, most importantly, control over it. Shimmer can be something you either love or hate, but now you can adjust it to your liking. Positioned as the only source of white light at the center of your Edge, the Solar Ring gives you the ability to fine-tune shimmer and create a dynamic, natural look in your tank. This control is only possible because of the Solar Blue Spectrum. With it, adjusting the Solar Ring won't dramatically alter the overall color balance because we created the spectrum to only focus on a more natural range. This means you get the shimmer you want without compromising the color and feel of your tank's lighting.
Q: Looking at the LED color channels, I noticed there are no red and green color channels like we have come to expect in most Reef tank LEDs; why this change to spectrum control?
A: Let’s be honest, there are a lot of opinions on red and green diodes in aquarium lights—some people don’t use them, while others swear by them. We do believe reds and greens are important, but we removed the separate red and green channels to simplify spectrum control. Instead of relying on dedicated diodes for those colors, the white LEDs naturally cover those wavelengths. This approach gives you full-spectrum coverage, more control, and less complexity, making it easier to adjust your tank’s lighting while still maintaining a balanced, natural look.
Q: Can you describe the Solar Blue spectrum and how is it different than the previous spectrum available in Hydra LEDs?
A: The Solar Blue Spectrum mimics nature, and to achieve it, simply run all color channels at the same percentage. After years of discussions with coral conservationists and researchers, we’ve designed this spectrum to reflect what corals actually see in shallow reefs. It provides a cool white look, but don’t worry—you’ll still get that signature AI blue that we all know and love!
Q: Will it be easy to set up and what kind of presets are available?
A: Setting up the Hydra Edge is just as easy as any other AI device! Simply use the Mobius app, and when you add the Edge, you’ll have the option to choose from three presets!
- Solar Blue – A natural, daylight-white spectrum with a hint of blue, perfect for mimicking vibrant reef sunlight and bringing out coral beauty.
- Solar Peak – A rich blue spectrum with a crisp Solar Blue peak, transitioning smoothly from day to night with warm moonlight effects.
- Deep Sea – A deep blue spectrum that creates a glowing, captivating underwater effect, highlighting the fluorescent colors in your tank.
Each preset is designed to give your tank a stunning, dynamic look with minimal setup!
Q: Many AquaIllumination users have been using the MXM module to use their Apex to control their lights. Will the Hydra Edge be compatible with the MXM?
A: Yes, the Hydra Edge will be compatible with the MXM module! If you’ve been using it with your Apex to control your AI lights, you’ll be able to do the same with the Hydra Edge.
Q: Will it work with both Mobius and the myAI app?
A: You’ll have the flexibility to choose between Mobius and myAI, depending on your preference. Just keep in mind that Mobius will be the best option if you want to make use of any presets included with the Hydra Edge.
Q: Where is the Hydra Edge made?
A: Funny, I was just down in our SMT room today watching the clusters being made. The Hydra Edge is designed and engineered in the USA, right here in Pennsylvania. We put a lot of effort into ensuring high-quality materials and craftsmanship go into every unit.
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