Hydra vs Radions for Zoas

Reeferz123 · May 9, 2019

Im sure this topic has come up multiple times but i need to make a decision pretty quickly for my new build.

Building a 72" frag tank with a 61" aquaticlife t5/led hybrid fixture.

I am trying to decide between the two options below. (I have the radions now 2 Gen 4 non pro and 1 gen 3 pro)

Option 1- (2) Radion Xr30 Gen4 (nonpro) and 1 Gen 3 Pro
Option 2 -(3) Hydra 26HD

This is going over a mainly zoa and lps tank (no sps). I have read some folks having issues with Radions over zoas but Im not sure if thats just a setting thing. As far as Hydra's i have heard the blue looks better i dont own any so i cant compare.

Any thoughts or feedback would be appreciated.

Capitol Reef Corals · May 9, 2019

I've used AI lights for over 5 years. I've owned Vegas, Sols, Hydra 52, Hydra 26, and AI Prime HDs. I absolutely love them. I grow all of my zoas with the Prime HDs and they do an excellent job especially since you can wirelessly control them right out of the box with the app, unlike the radions (I believe).

I haven't owned radions before so I can't speak to how good they are. I'm sure they can grow zoas just as well as any other light though.

Here's a pic of one of my zoas under the AI Prime HDs I took not long ago, just to show off. Scarlet Fever zoas.

clm65 · May 9, 2019

I don't have experience with either of those lights, but when I was at the WWC store a few weeks ago I noticed they were using Radions. They seem to do pretty good with growing zoas and other corals. FWIW.

HardyG · May 15, 2019

You won’t have an issue growing Zoas with either as they require very little in terms of expensive lighting. I will say if you do some searches from all of the wholesalers and big name coral distributors we dearly love, see what lights they are running. They feed their families on coral growth. I am partial to the radions but like I said you can’t go wrong either way! [emoji16]