Radion xr15 pro or AI Hydra 26 HD

[RickG]

hey reefers, just wanted some input on which light fixture you guys would go with and why. I'm in between the radion xr15 pro and the AI Hydra 26 HD. I'm really interested on growth. Turning an old cube into a frag tank, sits about 18 inches high. Thanks for your help in advance !

 

[Dlionsfan09]

Following......

 

[wongyeng888]

hey reefers, just wanted some input on which light fixture you guys would go with and why. I'm in between the radion xr15 pro and the AI Hydra 26 HD. I'm really interested on growth. Turning an old cube into a frag tank, sits about 18 inches high. Thanks for your help in advance !

I hear radion has superior coverage

 

[Frop]

Imo get the Radion for the cube.

To me it looks like Radion is way stronger and more par/watt but the Hydra is cheaper but the light is a little more evenly dispersed. The Radion seems to send the light straight down good for square tanks. Only way for more spread would be to raise the light. Idk about color/features. However I already own the Hydra 26HD. For my 10gallon this light is overkill. The light probably sits 18-22 inches above the sand and only running it at 1/3rd max power. Stuff is fine, a lot of softies. But I'll be putting it on a larger tank soon.

Check this link and select the lights for comparison.
http://www.aquaillumination.com/science/par.html

 

[pugcrush]

I've had the radion xr15 pro (gen 4) up since new year's on a reefer 170 & I absolutely love this light. I don't think you will be disappointed. I'm running it at no more than 25% with the wxm & it's growing things on the bottom.
IMG_2549 by FeedThatReefAddiction, on Flickr

 

[RickG]

Thanks for your input guys. It looks like it will be a hard decision. I want to go with radion, but I also like the contrability of the Hydra with the AI app. Has anyone had experience growing sps with these lights?

 

[Frop]

Thanks for your input guys. It looks like it will be a hard decision. I want to go with radion, but I also like the contrability of the Hydra with the AI app. Has anyone had experience growing sps with these lights?

Ya the app is cool. I think @jsker has this light too.

 

[RickG]

Bump

 

[jsker]

Hydra and Radon's are owned by ECOtech. Both lights are great, and as @Frop stated I have the 26 Hd's are really like them.

 

[RickG]

Hey so I was hoping I could get some more input on both lights. Just got a local offer for the xr15 G4 pro for $340. Wanted to know what you light fixture you guys would go with?

 

[Mosyoakcamo04]

I'm looking to buy a set who quoted you $340 each?

Thanks

 

[Oakie12]

I had 1 Hydra 26 hd on my 15 gallon column tank and had amazing growth. The app is very easy to use imo and the coverage is 2ft x 2ft. I bought another for my reefer 350 transfer/build. I havent owned the radions but i have not been disappointed with AI at all.

 

[RickG]

I had 1 Hydra 26 hd on my 15 gallon column tank and had amazing growth. The app is very easy to use imo and the coverage is 2ft x 2ft. I bought another for my reefer 350 transfer/build. I havent owned the radions but i have not been disappointed with AI at all.

Have you kept sps under the ai?

 

[RickG]

I'm looking to buy a set who quoted you $340 each?

Thanks

Got it from a friend

 

[Oakie12]

Have you kept sps under the ai?

I have not kept any sps under the lights yet but i know they would be powerful enough. Check this video out of what the Hydras can do. https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=4qnpunuvJOY

 

[Oakie12]

I have not kept any sps under the lights yet but i know they would be powerful enough. Check this video out of what the Hydras can do. https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=4qnpunuvJOY

You should check this video first then watch the one above to see the growth.

 

[Oakie12]

You should check this video first then watch the one above to see the growth.

https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=9Ywe0s8voYk

 

[FLSharkvictim]

I have a 120 deep Mixed Reef spec are the following 48''x24''x24'' and I have two AI Hydra HD LED's and I am very happy with them. The only con I can find is you can't use them on the Apex only the old AI sols are compatible but not the new HD leds. So I just use their app to control and set them, no more than that! I do have a little bit of shadowing but not much at all. If you have a 120 size tank or bigger I would HIGHLY recommend going with the AI HD52'S instead of the AI HD26's. Also, I bought the single arm mounts instead of those lame rail mounts or hanging mounts from AI.

 

[Gil03]

have you considered Kessil's A360we? i've had great results with it in regards to coral color and growth, I was previously using AI before I switched and I've had much better results with the kessil.

 

[FLSharkvictim]

Since I am upgrading to a larger tank to a 150 going to be adding the 3rd light. I am going to go with a Radion xr15 pro (gen 4) for the middle of the tank and have two Hydra Twenty Six HD leds on the side of the rimless 150. I really do miss having them integrated with my Apex wxm module. Shot of my new system that will be here at my house on Thursday.