Hydra 52 vs radion gen 2

db7080 · Feb 1, 2014

So I thought I was for sure going with the hydra 52 but after looking par ratings the gen 2 radion looks much higher. I want something that is going to grow any sps at most anywhere in the tank. My tank is 60x24x24 sps dominated reef. Are the numbers already high enough that it doesn't matter? Just don't want to make the wrong move.

blackx-runner · Feb 2, 2014

I would say either one will do just fine. Just pick the one that best fits your budget. Its going to be a constant race with AI and Radion to get out the newest and latest and greatest LED modules one-upping each other on there quest to be top dog.

db7080 · Feb 5, 2014

Anyone used the hydra 52?

Koaboy · Feb 5, 2014

Using them on two tanks. Still on the acclimation mode, but excited to see how everything will look on the standard mode. Everything looks great. I have a mixed bag of a coral collection, but all are responding. Seeing polyps, etc, that the coral hadn't shown until now.

dman612 · Feb 5, 2014

db7080 said:
Anyone used the hydra 52?

yes, bleached some sps (coming back) but everything else loves it-only running at 50% max ramps at the moment on the 24 cube
figure into the light ~100$ for director or 75 for controller, 65 for vertical bracket, 35 for horizontal. I love the ai interface tho with the director.

Koaboy · Feb 6, 2014

No bleaching of anything here. I have some sps high in the tank, but good so far. I did my initial dial-in with no color more than 70%. Then set the acclimation mode to 50% (50% of the 70%) & let it rise from there.

phillrodrigo · Feb 6, 2014

I have a friend that owns a tank maintenence business. He had a customer order a 52 the other a radion pro. The 52 looks like it has a better spread. They were both ontop of a 150. The 52 did about 2.5 feet the radion was 2 feet

Zacco · Feb 6, 2014

You can upgrade the radions with a wide angle lense that ecotech sells. Plus the radions L.E.D.'s are upgradeable also. Say you own a Gen 1 or Gen 2. You can send it to Ecotech and upgrade the L.E.D.'s to pro. The lense's you can do yourself.
Don't know much about the Hydra's. Can you swap parts on a Hydra like you can on a Radion?