AI Prime vs Radion XR15

[dans reef box]

I got a new tank, it’s the aqua one mini reef 120. It came with a light but it’s not great so I have been looking to upgrade, I have been looking at the AI Prime and the Radion G5 XR15 Pro. The tank size is 60cm long 45cm wide and 45cm tall, for the Americans 24in long 18in wide and 18in tall. I haven’t been able to decide witch light is better so can you give me pros and cons and your recommendations.

 

[AJsReef]

What are you looking to keep? The prime would work for softies and some well placed LPS.

Long term, the XR15 would give you the most flexibility but at double the price.

 

[dans reef box]

What are you looking to keep? The prime would work for softies and some well placed LPS.

Long term, the XR15 would give you the most flexibility but at double the price.

I want to get some anemones, zoanthids, hammers and bubble tips.

 

[Hooz]

24" length is really going to be too much to cover well for either light. So you're looking at 2 Primes or 2 XR15s. I went Primes.

 

[Mjl714]

as far as pros and cons, since I don’t have xr15’s I’ll have to limit my comments to the two AI Prime HD’s, which I have on my IM 30l reef tank. The AI’s work great, are easy to setup and manage, and provide plenty of light, in my tank. It sounds like your desired coral light loving specimen list is similar to mine. see attached:

 

[dans reef box]

I’m probably only going to put corals on my rock but when I start to branch out to the sand I will look at installing a second light. This is my tank btw love your tank. Is there any other light that you recommend that won’t make me bankrupt.

 

[X-37B]

I run both on different systems but run the xr15 blue.
I prefer the color that the 16hds give over the radion. The pro would be more adjustable though.

 

[MarshallB]

I recently bought 3 xr15 blues. it was a tough choice between those and the AI primes. I decided on the xr15 blues for the sole reason they are.... blue at full blast. Just enough white to bring out the vibrant colors of everything that isn't fluorescent. I didn't want to spend all that money just to run half the LEDS a low power or not at all.

The mobius app is excellent as well. Very easy to adjust schedule, intensity, individual spectrum. If I wanted a more white look I probably would have went with the primes over the xr15 pros.