Radions or hydras

S

saltfishguy18

Member
So I'm going to have to change leds coming up soon so I have some time. I have a standard 90 gallon 48"x18"x24" tank. I have a retrofit t5 kit already mounted in my canopy which will be staying. Leds are the primary and t5's supplement in the middle of the day. My tank is primarily sps but I do have lps as well. I'm torn between hydra 52's hd or radions xr 30 g4's. Note I will do two of each. Looking for some thoughts from people that have/use both/one or the other on there systems. Again, my tank is primarily sps with some lps. I appreciate all the suggestions!!

Just an FYI I don't want to turn this into a t5/led/halide is better type convo. I'm pretty set on these two options but some ppl say the new v4's are really good.

Looking for people that actually use this lights and their reviews
 
I prefer the Radions personally, but here goes anyways...

Cost: Hydras are $600, Radions are $800 - Hydras win on costs, plus no additional controller needed, add $100 for EcoTech Reeflink. (Since you are adding T5's, consider picking up a pair of Gen 3 Pros - have seen them for $350 in the classifieds, and they are still really good)

Lenses: Hydras are 80 degrees, which would be fine if suspending them a bit, but you have a canopy, and the HEI lenses on the Radions result in a much greater spread, plus you can add the new diffuser - Radions win on light field.

So I would ask what is important to you - cost or spread? I also prefer the diode mix in the Radion a bit better...
 
And I'll suggest the Hydras. lol Save the $$ and get the 52's with your T5's you'll have more than enough spread. I run this setup with the 26's and couldn't be happier I saved the $350 not going Radion.
 
Radions are only 800 if he went with the pro version. If not it’s pretty equal on cost. I’ve used both and either or will do the job. I’d say since you have t5s that are already staying then you’d be fine with the standard radions...it kinda just comes down on which one will work best for you with mounting in a canopy and whether or not you want to have an extra piece of equipment somewhere in the house to control the lights as with the radion
 
SloppyWhenWet said:
Use the Gen 4 Pro XR15's two will cover that tank. Win Win. No reason for the larger lights on that tank.
Click to expand...

Really 3 XR15s or two XR30; I have this same area, the height they are at in a canopy (and as the "main light"), two just would leave obvious gaps. I personally would go three XR15s in mine due to the overflow placement.
 
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If I did the radions it would be the 30's. I don't think I would do the pros as the extra wattage wouldn't really be needed, especially with t5's.

Since I do have the t5's I dont know if it's worth getting the g4's for the hei lenses or not
 
I consider these two brands/products but ultimately went with GHL Mitras 7200s on my reef tank and 7000s on my planted freshwater tank. I have 7 all together, all suspended from the ceiling (so no bracket on the tank rim or wall mount). I could not be happier with them and their programability.
 
I looked at Radions also, but went with Mitras LX 7206s. I think both lights are super programmable and very good. I think either is a good choice.

Reasons I went with LX7s:
More leds so cost per led much lower $10 vs $17 per led
6 pucks vs 2 pucks so leds are more spread out
sealed bottom
fans are on top and very quiet ( i cant hear them )
 
Have you seen the Orphek Amazonas 80, just found these today. Supplemented with t5s could be an amazing combo, its got me thinking. You would receive amazing shimmer too!
 
Cheapreef said:
I run a 44 X 22 X 12" deep shallow, hybrid fixture (4 36" T5's and 2 Hydra 26's) sits about 11" off the water line. 300+ Par on my sandbed, the 2 Hydra 26's peak at 85% for 4hrs.
Click to expand...

My system is similar 60 x 18 x 20 with 4 T5 and 3 Hydra 26 HDs, really like it and the corals seem to as well. However the Radion do have a little better coverage, supposedly.
 
Cheapreef said:
I run a 44 X 22 X 12" deep shallow, hybrid fixture (4 36" T5's and 2 Hydra 26's) sits about 11" off the water line. 300+ Par on my sandbed, the 2 Hydra 26's peak at 85% for 4hrs.
Click to expand...

i was going to suggest two or three hydra26 hd as well. i have no experience with the radions, so i can't comment on those.

one of the reasons that i went with hydra is that you don't need to purchase any other add-ons. buy the lights, that's it. everything you need to control them is built in.

i'm sure no matter which one you pick, it'll grow corals ;)


J.
 
2 Radion XR 30 gets my vote as well. AI makes a fine light but I have always felt the Radions where superior. Pros would be nice but may be unnecessary for your tank along with the t5 lighting.
 
The Orphek V4s in my opinion are the first choice with n qualifications. I am changing over a second system to these lights.....so they are replacing the above referenced LEDs and already replaced my 8 bulb T5 with an XHO......

Check BRSs video commentary on these lights......
 
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