radion xr15 g5 or hydra 32 hd

[Kami2011]

I have a 150 mixed reef tank. currently running a 61" aquatic life hybrid with 2 kessil 350 tuna blues. I'm trying to decide between the radion xr15 g5 (3 fixtures) and hydra 32 hd (3 fixtures). which one is better? I've read mix reviews on both.

 

[Spare time]

You can't go wrong either way.

 

[Cherub]

This is just what I am doing but maybe it will help you. I have 4 hydra 26's and I will be switching to 3 xr15's blue once I save enough. I use the hybrid T5 also. The hydras have a lot of extra spectrums I personally dont use so I dont get the full potential or watts as I cut out most the whites and reds and greens. The new Hydras are the same way and they also use white lights for the moonlights, which I hate. This is all just my opinion. I guess you should decide what spectrums are most important to you. The xr15 has 50 LED's the hydra has 32. the Blues have mainly blue LEDs and you still get some of the other spectrums, just not overwhelmingly like the hydras are for me. It's just a waste for me to keep the hydras.

 

[Kami2011]

This is just what I am doing but maybe it will help you. I have 4 hydra 26's and I will be switching to 3 xr15's blue once I save enough. I use the hybrid T5 also. The hydras have a lot of extra spectrums I personally dont use so I dont get the full potential or watts as I cut out most the whites and reds and greens. The new Hydras are the same way and they also use white lights for the moonlights, which I hate. This is all just my opinion. I guess you should decide what spectrums are most important to you. The xr15 has 50 LED's the hydra has 32. the Blues have mainly blue LEDs and you still get some of the other spectrums, just not overwhelmingly like the hydras are for me. It's just a waste for me to keep the hydras.

Thanks for the information. I was leaning towards the radions anyway.
The reason I’m asking everyone is because I’ve heard VERY mixed reviews on the radions. Things like the fans being loud and such.

 

[Cherub]

Thanks for the information. I was leaning towards the radions anyway.
The reason I’m asking everyone is because I’ve heard VERY mixed reviews on the radions. Thinks like the fans being loud and such.

Yeah for sure, they sound junky right now with the cracks and crumby app lol. I wont be buying mine for another 2 months or so. With 4 hydras, it's "enough" and I can take my time, I'm just saving a hundred dollars here and there so I am hoping most of these things get worked out before I buy.

 

[Spare time]

Out of curiosity, why not just get one more kessil?

 

[Kami2011]

Out of curiosity, why not just get one more kessil?

I want more power and I don’t think another kessil will do it.

 

[Spare time]

I want more power and I don’t think another kessil will do it.

Have you rented a par meter before?

 

[Kami2011]

Have you rented a par meter before?

Yes. Around 150 in the spots for sps

 

[piranhaman00]

Hydras

 

[Kami2011]

Hydras

Any specific reason?

 

[piranhaman00]

Any specific reason?

Some bias toward AI as I use their lights and I would never buy a g5 after all the cracks, loud fans, ect. Possible more problems coming?

 

[Spare time]

Yes. Around 150 in the spots for sps

Honestly that isn't bad. Are you looking for more growth or for more color?

 

[Kami2011]

Honestly that isn't bad. Are you looking for more growth or for more color?

Both?

 

[Spare time]

Both?

Typically, as you increase the par past a threshold, you increase the chromoprotein production to protect the coral, giving it more color, but slowing down the growth (such as Porites, which enters photoinhibition around a little under 200 par. I linked a great video below to explain.