Help me choose my light! Hydra/ReefLed/Radion

[T-J]

I'm so torn (and confused) on which light I should choose for my 40g cube.

New setup on a Aquatop Recife Eco 40g. I just measured the water area, and it's 18" front to back, 21" across and 19" from top of the water to the top of the sand bed. I'm doing a mixed reef tank.

My current top three options are the Hydra 32, ReefLed 90 and the Radion XR15w G4.

Which of those would you go with and why? Or, is there another option I'm overlooking? Thanks!

 

[Jeeperz]

Look at reefi I think they are called. Seem like great lights with a better warranty than the others

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Hey tj,

Personally I would go radion. The 32 are fairly new. I have run AI from the get go and like them, but I like to give them a while on the market to make sure all the bugs are worked out. The radion is proven and with your tank dimensions your gonna get a good spread with little loss of par on the outer edge. Not familiar with the other lamp.

 

[T-J]

Look at reefi I think they are called. Seem like great lights with a better warranty than the others

Never heard of them. Seem nice but might be a bit outside of my price point.

 

[T-J]

Hey tj,

Personally I would go radion. The 32 are fairly new. I have run AI from the get go and like them, but I like to give them a while on the market to make sure all the bugs are worked out. The radion is proven and with your tank dimensions your gonna get a good spread with little loss of par on the outer edge. Not familiar with the other lamp.

I liked the review on them, especially with the diffuser. If I went with them I’d see how bad the disco effect is and then decide on the diffuser I guess. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Triple.T]

I just bought the AI 16 prime , I love it so far.

 

[Jeeperz]

I run 2 ai primes on my nano. And a Hydra 26 on a reefer 170. I don't like their new lights as they eliminated WiFi and changed them up so none of the previous presets work.

 

[Triple.T]

I run 2 ai primes on my nano. And a Hydra 26 on a reefer 170. I don't like their new lights as they eliminated WiFi and changed them up so none of the previous presets work.

The bluetooth doesn't bother me. It would be nice to have the previous presets. Although, after 3 days I think I've got mine tuned in.

 

[T-J]

I run 2 ai primes on my nano. And a Hydra 26 on a reefer 170. I don't like their new lights as they eliminated WiFi and changed them up so none of the previous presets work.

The 170 is about the size of my tank. Is that a mixed reef you have?

 

[T-J]

I just bought the AI 16 prime , I love it so far.

That tank looks considerably smaller than mine and I don’t think a 16 would cut it for me. Great price on them now though!

 

[Triple.T]

That tank looks considerably smaller than mine and I don’t think a 16 would cut it for me. Great price on them now though!

My tank is 24L16W18D I have not checked PAR readings. On a 40 gal I'm certain you would have to use 2. Have you checked K2 Pros from noopsyche? Or if budget allows maybe a reef breeder photon v2?

 

[T-J]

My tank is 24L16W18D I have not checked PAR readings. On a 40 gal I'm certain you would have to use 2. Have you checked K2 Pros from noopsyche? Or if budget allows maybe a reef breeder photon v2?

Man the price point on those Noopsyches are crazy low. It seems that that is a Hydra knock-off?

Are these legit lights? If they’re just as good as the rest, that’s an amazing deal!

 

[Jeeperz]

The 170 is basically a cube and mine is a mixed reef. The 26 works perfectly over it. I also have a 26 on my nuvo 20 qt tank.

 

[T-J]

Man this is killing me! Now I like the ReefBreeders, and the Noopsyche too! I just don’t know enough about LED to make a good choice. Is it really you get what you pay for?

Was so much easier 5 years ago on my 125. MH and T5s and away I went.

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

So here is my point of view:

AquaIllumination is to EcoTech as Squier is to Fender (can you tell I am a guitar teacher?).

I personally run AI lights as they are they sit at the intersection of value and quality.

Are Radions better, IMO, yes - which is why so many of the big name stores, growers, and hobbyists use them. I think their abilities are better than the AI Hydras, but not enough better to justify almost double the price. Now if I was in a position where the price didn't matter (like when teachers get an actual good salary here in FL) I would buy the Radions. But when I was doing all of my research I landed on the Hydras because I found they have the best bang for your buck specs.

And let us not forget our Squier:Fender reference, both are owned/controlled by the same parent company.

 

[mfinn]

I'm a Radion fan.
When I got my first one the preset programs were awesome.
It didn't take very long before I figured out how to tweek them and make a custom program.

 

[T-J]

So, I think I’ve made a decision (until someone here tries to change my mind!):

I’m going to go with the Reef Breeders 16” Photon V2. Can’t argue with the price (plus a coupon I had!) and performance.

My tank is 21” across and about 19” front to back of tank space and 18-19” from top of water to top of sand. Based on other meme era PAR readings, I should have no problem with a mixed reef with this light.

 

[Triple.T]

Man this is killing me! Now I like the ReefBreeders, and the Noopsyche too! I just don’t know enough about LED to make a good choice. Is it really you get what you pay for?

Was so much easier 5 years ago on my 125. MH and T5s and away I went.

They're both quality lights capable of producing beautiful reefs. Can't go wrong with anything mentioned here.