Is this overkill???

[RogueGrown]

I am soon to start up a new tank, Its a 20 long. I see there is a sale online for the Radion XR15w for $319, is this a good deal? I have heard nothing but good things about the radion lights.

My biggest concern. Is this light going to be too much and way overboard for this small of a tank? I intend to upgrade the size of the tank (40B) eventually and would like to buy most of my equipment once.

 

[kmbyrnes]

I have Radions and Chinese Black boxes. Both will grow corals very well.
So I guess it depends on what you feel comfortable spending, but IMHO Raions are not worth the 2x premium.
Yo can always turn the Radion down to meet the needs of a 20, and up for the 40.

 

[RogueGrown]

I have Radions and Chinese Black boxes. Both will grow corals very well.
So I guess it depends on what you feel comfortable spending, but IMHO Raions are not worth the 2x premium.
Yo can always turn the Radion down to meet the needs of a 20, and up for the 40.

I want something I can link to my computer or phone and be able to create settings that ramp up and dim down. Im ok with the price tag as long as Im getting what I pay for. I noticed also that It has a weather condition mode, is this something you can do from the unit or would I have to link to the computer to turn it on?

 

[ssick92]

I have Radions and Chinese Black boxes. Both will grow corals very well.
So I guess it depends on what you feel comfortable spending, but IMHO Raions are not worth the 2x premium.
Yo can always turn the Radion down to meet the needs of a 20, and up for the 40.

I think with a XR30 yes, but an XR15 is not going to give enough spread to light the sides of the 20, let alone the 40. You would need 2 of them mounted separately to provide what you need for the 20, and probably 3 of them for the 40.

For the 20, you should go with either the XR30 or Hydra 26HD. Then when you upgrade to the 40B, you will need to get 1 more of whichever brand you decide to go with. Or you could look at the Kessil AP700, but I have no experience with it.

That's my .02

 

[Tanthaitrung]

You may post here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=212

 

[RogueGrown]

I think with a XR30 yes, but an XR15 is not going to give enough spread to light the sides of the 20, let alone the 40. You would need 2 of them mounted separately to provide what you need for the 20, and probably 3 of them for the 40.

For the 20, you should go with either the XR30 or Hydra 26HD. Then when you upgrade to the 40B, you will need to get 1 more of whichever brand you decide to go with. Or you could look at the Kessil AP700, but I have no experience with it

That's my .02

After looking at the two lights mentioned, I kind of get the sense that the radion is a more quality light; it is about the same price as the hydra but you have to link it to a computer and is only one set of lights, where as the hydra is two sets of lights that can be linked to an app on the phone (super awesome!) BUT... reviews of the hydra across the board are lower than that of the radion.... here's the horse:hammer:

 

[kmbyrnes]

Yes, the Radions do link to your computer or phone. I don't know about the upscale black boxes. Mine are 2 channel manually dimmed units.
The 'weather' mode is for your enjoyment only, the fish and corals don't care.
The truth is, once you set your schedule, you will rarely mess with the settings, computer connectivity or not.
Get the lights you feel comfortable with. Any well rated light will grow coral for you.

 

[RogueGrown]

Yes, the Radions do link to your computer or phone. I don't know about the upscale black boxes. Mine are 2 channel manually dimmed units.
The 'weather' mode is for your enjoyment only, the fish and corals don't care.
The truth is, once you set your schedule, you will rarely mess with the settings, computer connectivity or not.
Get the lights you feel comfortable with. Any well rated light will grow coral for you.

I know it can link to your computer, but in order for it to be controlled by the ecosmart app you have to purchase the reeflink box as well correct?

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[kmbyrnes]

Yes that is true. Another expense. Nothing is cheap in this hobby. But after shelling out for the lights themselves, another $100 is no big deal.
I have to say that controlling the lights from my phone is kinda cool at parties, but does nothing for the tank itself.

 

[urbanknight]

Agree with @ssick92. One XR-15 will not give you enough spread to fully cover you 20 DT. Two XR-15s or 1 XR30

 

[RogueGrown]

Yes that is true. Another expense. Nothing is cheap in this hobby. But after shelling out for the lights themselves, another $100 is no big deal.
I have to say that controlling the lights from my phone is kinda cool at parties, but does nothing for the tank itself.

So do I need the reeflink to be able to program settings from my lap top then?
Im more than likely going to get a radion, I was hoping to be around the 350 to 400 $$$ range. If I have to get the XR30 plus the reeflink now Im more than double that :headwally: Seems crazy to me that some of these lights are more than everything else combined for a small tank.

 

[RogueGrown]

Well after shopping around the for the radions, I find that I can get the xr30 with the reeflink for under $650. However the reeflink has terrible reviews and most say its nearly a broken device, especially when using it with a newer samsung. I have the note 5 and repeatedly found people complaining about it not working.

I am now looking at the hydra 52 its $599 and has a built in wifi that I wouldnt have to pay extra for more hubs. Does anyone have any experience with these fixtures?

 

[jayball]

Well after shopping around the for the radions, I find that I can get the xr30 with the reeflink for under $650. However the reeflink has terrible reviews and most say its nearly a broken device, especially when using it with a newer samsung. I have the note 5 and repeatedly found people complaining about it not working.

I am now looking at the hydra 52 its $599 and has a built in wifi that I wouldnt have to pay extra for more hubs. Does anyone have any experience with these fixtures?

I do not have direct experience with that specifically however I would recommend going with two 26's rather than one 52 if you can swing the extra 100. One 52 will do a poor job covering the 20L and double so for the breeder footprint.
The 26's will cover both footprints because you can spread them out and orient them front to back giving a much better spread.

 

[Sk8r]

you can use your computer usb instead of the reeflink box. Also you can make simple intensity adjustments with two buttons on the unit itself.

You can zone corals by length of tank as well as depth, so you can put more light-hungry ones under the light, and less light-loving further out. My own tank is a vertical zoning, but no reason it can't work lengthwise. ALso consider flow, which is very important for some corals, less for others. And of course, some fish like to work hard swimming, while others are helpless in strong flow. All tradeoffs, one thing to the next, but zeroing in on what SORT of reef, down to specific species, would help make good decisions.

 

[ssick92]

I agree with going with 2 Hydra26's. You said you want to get all the equipment up front so you don't have to buy anything twice. Going with 2 Hydra26's will accomplish exactly that.

I had 2 Hydra26's over my 55g and it was perfect. I now have a Prime over my 10g and love it. I am a big fan of the AI lights especially for their price point.

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[RogueGrown]

you can use your computer usb instead of the reeflink box. Also you can make simple intensity adjustments with two buttons on the unit itself.

You can zone corals by length of tank as well as depth, so you can put more light-hungry ones under the light, and less light-loving further out. My own tank is a vertical zoning, but no reason it can't work lengthwise. ALso consider flow, which is very important for some corals, less for others. And of course, some fish like to work hard swimming, while others are helpless in strong flow. All tradeoffs, one thing to the next, but zeroing in on what SORT of reef, down to specific species, would help make good decisions.

So i can set the radions timer from dawn to duak from the unit itself?

This was my thoughts exactly... I have a 30in long tank. If my reef is say 26in long and the single xr15 or Hydra 26 has a spread of 24in what make me have to have the tank completely covered by light after all the only thing that needs the correct lighting is the corals. Proper placement is part of the hobby. This is why we research before we add and make sure what we buy and house is going to have a happy healthy spot to thrive.

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[RogueGrown]

So i can set the radions timer from dawn to duak from the unit itself?

This was my thoughts exactly... I have a 30in long tank. If my reef is say 26in long and the single xr15 or Hydra 26 has a spread of 24in what make me have to have the tank completely covered by light after all the only thing that needs the correct lighting is the corals. Proper placement is part of the hobby. This is why we research before we add and make sure what we buy and house is going to have a happy healthy spot to thrive.

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Sorry I just realized you said simple intensity...

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[kmbyrnes]

You don't NEED a reeflink to program the units, they come with a USB you can attach directly to your computer. The reeflink lets you do it from across the room.
My whole point is that all of the fancy connections and sunrise/sunset and storms are cool sounding, but you hardly ever use them in real life. And the fish and corals don't care. Any light that gets good reviews will do you fine.
I have 4 Black Boxes over my 125 ( total cost $350 ) and I grow everything from mushrooms to acros by varying placement and light intensity.

 

[rocsec1]

I don't think so. It can be adjusted for both height and light levels. Plus when you upgrade as many of us do it will be a good light for the next tank.

 

[lockdown52]

As you can see from the different post, what it boils down to in the end is "personal preference." Get the lights that will allow you to do what you want with them to. If you have the $$$ to spare, think now about your next upgrade. Will you be able to use what you get on your next build? There are success stories using black boxes as well as the more expensive top tier lights. The decision remains YOURS!