Alternatives to Radion XR15

[Biokabe]

I currently have three Radion XR15 lights (two G4 and one G5) over my 90g tank - 48" x 18" x 24". I noticed that one of the G4 lights wasn't coming on with the others, and when I checked on it in Mobius it was throwing an Open Circuit error. I was able to get it to turn back on just by unplugging and replugging the light, but it's been inconsistent since then and I worry that it might be starting to die on me.

Between the price and the less-than-amazing reviews I've seen on the G6 version of the Radions, I'd like to move away from that platform, but that puts me in the land of choice paralysis. Because of my overall lighting fixture, whatever I replace it with needs to be 7" or under in width. I'd like to keep the overall power similar to the Radion, so around 90W, give or take a few. On BRS, that leaves the Hydra Edge 44, the Hydra 32 HD, the Kessil A360XE, and the Giesemann Teszla Evo Marine.

How do those compare with the XR15? Any others I should consider in that same approximate size?

The Giesemann is interesting at the price point BRS is listing it at right now, but I've been able to find approximately nothing about it.

The tank is a mixed reef with an emphasis on SPS, so I do need more intense lighting, but this particular fixture just needs to cover a third of the tank. Long-term I would eventually like to replace the Radions entirely, but a full lighting replacement isn't really in the budget at the moment.

 

[BryanM]

Ive always heard great things about Kessils.

 

[Science/G]

Reefbreeder Meridian 35. One and done! It's an amazing light, if you can work with 8.5 width.

 

[Science/G]

Out of what you mentioned, even without having ever seen the Giesemann, I would take them over the Hydra lights. I ran AI primes on my reef tank for a few years and still have some hydra 32s running on my classroom reef tank and meh. They're solid lights but they leave a lot to be desired.

 

[Hooz]

Why not go with the Nicrew HyperReef Gen 2?

You could do the 150w version for $250, plus the $50 controller (unless you have an Apex, GHL or Hydros X4 controller, then you could do the 0-10v dimming modue). Has all the spread and spectrum of a Radion Pro, and more power than an XR15 for half the price. It even comes with the mount for that price!

 

[rtparty]

Nicrew Gen 2. Done. Better than anything else listed for half the cost

 

[Biokabe]

I have heard good things about the Nicrew. I've been wanting to go with Meridian for my next tank, but at 8.5" it won't fit into my fixture, and I don't feel like trying to retrofit the fixture to make it fit. Kessil is nice - I've used Kessil fixtures in the past - but at $500 it's not a huge cost savings over the XR15.

But the Nicrew is plenty affordable, and at 6.3" it'll fit in my fixture without issue. So I think that might be the way to go.

I do have an Apex A3 - can the Gen 2Nicrew work with the built-in 0-10v dimming on the Apex, or does it need the controller since it's gone to USB-C for the connection?

It doesn't change my decision, just whether I need to buy the controller or not.

 

[Kooma]

I have a different view. Since you are in the ecotech world why not find a couple used G5s? If your only complaint is that a G4 is starting to go, I don’t see much reason to do a 180 and flip to something completely new.

 

[Hooz]

I have heard good things about the Nicrew. I've been wanting to go with Meridian for my next tank, but at 8.5" it won't fit into my fixture, and I don't feel like trying to retrofit the fixture to make it fit. Kessil is nice - I've used Kessil fixtures in the past - but at $500 it's not a huge cost savings over the XR15.

But the Nicrew is plenty affordable, and at 6.3" it'll fit in my fixture without issue. So I think that might be the way to go.

I do have an Apex A3 - can the Gen 2Nicrew work with the built-in 0-10v dimming on the Apex, or does it need the controller since it's gone to USB-C for the connection?

It doesn't change my decision, just whether I need to buy the controller or not.

Just need this...

https://a.co/d/099fuWxz
And enough cables to hook everything up and daisy chain the lights

 

[rtparty]

The Nicrews use Radion hardware so they should bolt right in

 

[Biokabe]

I have a different view. Since you are in the ecotech world why not find a couple used G5s? If your only complaint is that a G4 is starting to go, I don’t see much reason to do a 180 and flip to something completely new.

It's not my only complaint. I've been wanting to move away from Ecotech for a while, but since I already had the lights and they were functioning perfectly well there was no need to spend a bunch of money to move platforms just for the sake of moving platforms.

 

[Kooma]

It's not my only complaint. I've been wanting to move away from Ecotech for a while, but since I already had the lights and they were functioning perfectly well there was no need to spend a bunch of money to move platforms just for the sake of moving platforms.

Why the change? I’m curious, I have 4x XR15s I’ve been very happy with.

 

[Biokabe]

Why the change? I’m curious, I have 4x XR15s I’ve been very happy with.

A few reasons.

First, I dislike being forced to work through an app. I either want manual controls that I can use at the tank, or easy desktop control. I absolutely loathe having to work through my phone for anything, so I started getting salty at them when they forced everything into Mobius. Yes, there's the MXM module (which I have) but it doesn't work on G4, just on G5+. So I would have to upgrade both of my G4s to take advantage of it...

But then I'm having to pay the upgrade tax, and the new Radions are stupid expensive. When I bought the G4s, they were expensive but not too crazy - $380/ea. A new G6 is $520. A used G5 is anywhere from $275-$350, but then you're getting a used LED fixture. LEDs degrade over time and eventually need replacing regardless of mechanical failure, so buying a used LED fixture isn't quite the cost savings that it appears to be.

So if I'm going to be spending that money anyhow, I'd much rather get a brand-new fixture with its entire lifespan ahead of it.

The XR15s are fine lights and certainly don't need replacing if you already have them. But if I have to replace them, I want to take the opportunity to exit the Ecotech ecosystem.