Hydra 26 or Radion XR15

[bmoore92]

Looking for a light for my IM Nuvo 20. Please vote on the poll and give reasons to support your choice in the comments. Pictures of your tanks using either light would be very appreciated as well.

 

[reid429]

I have the xr15 which is extremely powerful hence the reason it costs more. The rms tank mount is super clean as well and if you get the reef link you can sync your vortec wirelessly or change your lighting schedule on the fly. The hydra has some of the same features. Apples to oranges. I don't regret buying mine at all. Like I said it's the pro version for a reason.

 

[bmoore92]

How big is that tank you've got it on? Im worried about shadowing on my 24" tank with the XR15

 

[GreatWhiteTang]

What corals do you want to keep!?

 

[bmoore92]

Im going full mixed reef. the tank is only 13" deep so either light would be sufficient to keep pretty much anything.

 

[GreatWhiteTang]

If sps... Go with Hydra.. Or. Xr30.. If not xr15 will give you a lot more customization without a controller then the Hydra

 

[bmoore92]

If sps... Go with Hydra.. Or. Xr30.. If not xr15 will give you a lot more customization without a controller then the Hydra

What's your reasoning on XR30 over XR15 for sps? I don't mind buying the controller with the hydra 26 since it will cost about the same as the XR15

 

[GreatWhiteTang]

For. The. Distance off. Of. The tank. To. Get a. Nice. Spread even ecotech does. Not. Recommend the 15 for. Sps. On their manufacturer page I guess it is only a 20g though, I had Hydra 52 ditched em for xr15.. Growth slowed but I liked the xr lights.. Sold those now I run Kessil

 

[bmoore92]

Do you think the hydra26 would be enough to get a good spread on a 24" tank. All of the pictures I've seen of the XR15 on a nuvo 20 have had shadowing on the edges. Like Reid said I think it's mostly apples to oranges so I just need to make sure I'll get enough spread.

 

[GreatWhiteTang]

I think you will get the spread you want if you sacrifice some par by raising the lights a bit higher.. Shading isn't all bad, I think it adds a certain depth to the tank and is a place to put nfs corals

 

[reid429]

The xr15 is a pro which is half te xr30w pro. Trust me it's for Sps. Tank is a 24 cardiff bullet style tank

 

[GreatWhiteTang]

The xr15 is a pro which is half te xr30w pro. Trust me it's for Sps. Tank is a 24 cardiff bullet style tank

Other than trust me.. any data to support this, . MY xr30 with 1 puck running was about 40 par more intense then my 15 at any given point with a par meter even ecotech states for sps to use the 30, also for a 24 inch tank to get a spread to limit shadowing will even further reduce the par. I tested this theory before I ditched the 15s for. All 30s and Kessil on all my tanks

 

[GreatWhiteTang]

Didn't see the post on 13" depth.. You will be fine either way realistically.. Ide try and see both in person.. Get the one you like.. Xr15 xr30.. Both very nice I wasn't knocking the 15s.. Especially if your going mixed

 

[bmoore92]

Anyone else?

 

[bmoore92]

bump

 

[NanaReefer]

AI Prime No controller needed, built in WiFi for just $199.00!!

 

[bmoore92]

Read it only has an 18" spread. Needed for a 24" tank

 

[FoolishWizard]

I have a Hydra26 controlled by the Director over my 50gal cube (24"x24"x20") and its awesome. Here are a few pix... Not sure why they came in sideways but let me know if you have any specific questions about the lights and/or the director.

 

[bmoore92]

Love that scape man. Any shadowing? Can you grow corals on the edges? I've been leading towards a nanobox duo here recently but Im still looking at both the hydra26 and the xr15

 

[FoolishWizard]

Love that scape man. Any shadowing? Can you grow corals on the edges? I've been leading towards a nanobox duo here recently but Im still looking at both the hydra26 and the xr15

Thanks man! No real shadowing except under some overhangs which is expected. I have zoas, ricordea & some acans on the edges with no issues. I think the hydra is the perfect light for a 24"x24" footprint. Thats why i got it.