New AI Hydra 32 HD vs. Radion XR30W G4 pro?

[cdare99]

I’m in the same boat right now. Thinking about replacing my light for Radions. Then the new hydras came out. But I’m kind of leery of ai comparison specs they seem to beat everything . Which I’m not sure I believe.

 

[MERKEY]

I’m in the same boat right now. Thinking about replacing my light for Radions. Then the new hydras came out. But I’m kind of leery of ai comparison specs they seem to beat everything . Which I’m not sure I believe.

Echo makes both so it's not weird that the 64s are as good as they are. They are made to be right under the 30 pros.

In a few months radion will come out with their gen 5.. we can hope lol

 

[waywardreefer]

Echo makes both so it's not weird that the 64s are as good as they are. They are made to be right under the 30 pros.

In a few months radion will come out with their gen 5.. we can hope lol

Right! Then maybe I can grab the gen 4's on sale too...ha!

 

[signal_4]

XR 30 G4 Pro

Number of LED's
8x Cool White
8x Deep Blue
8x Blue
4x Green
4x Photo Red
8x UV
4x Violet
2x Warm White

Hydra 64DH

8 – Cool White
8 – Blue
8– Royal Blue
2– Photo Red
2– Green
2– Violet
2– UV
2 – Moonlight

Looks to me that the main thing the Hydras are missing is warm white, when compared to the XR30 Pro.

That the specs for the 32 not the 64 !

 

[RJH829]

Hello Reefers,

This is actually my first post on reef2reef!
I have been out of the hobby for about 6 years but I’m getting back into it!

I’m setting up my new system and was about to pull the trigger on a Radion XR30W G4 Pro when AI announced last week that they were releasing the latest update to the Hydra 32 HD and Hydra 64 HD.

Now I’m torn. I do like the AI app and I have loved using the older Hydras. But, I just don’t know how they will compare with the XR30W G4 Pro.

Do I go with the new AI Hydra 32 HD or the Radion XR30W G4 Pro?

My plan is to have a mainly SPS dominant tank. So I’m looking for the high par and full spectrum.

Someone please persuade me one way or another! I would love to see a comparison of the two!

Thanks!

I actually bought a AI Hydra 32hd about a week ago, AI has bad customer service but I will say this light is pretty incredible

 

[Jefdav84]

I actually bought a AI Hydra 32hd about a week ago, AI has bad customer service but I will say this light is pretty incredible

I just bought a Hydra 32 for my tank this evening. What are the dimensions on your tank? I have a 24x24x20.

 

[motortrendz]

So I just switched from hydra to ecotec. I had used 2 hydra 52s and 2 26s in my corner bow tank and the back was still kinda dark. I replaced the 4 lights with 2 radion xr30w s and what a difference. The 2 regions put off more light and better color than the 4 lights I had previously.

 

[RJH829]

I just bought a Hydra 32 for my tank this evening. What are the dimensions on your tank? I have a 24x24x20.

It's a jbj 45 its 27 by 24 by 24 I believe

 

[RJH829]

It's a jbj 45 its 27 by 24 by 24 I believe

Its WAY more then enough. And its perfect for the tank

 

[Jefdav84]

Its WAY more then enough. And its perfect for the tank

Awesome! I was on the fence just due to all of the various opinions on whether it would cover my dimensions well or not. Glad you were able to confirm some of my doubts. Do you by chance have any presets loaded that you could share?

 

[MERKEY]

So I just switched from hydra to ecotec. I had used 2 hydra 52s and 2 26s in my corner bow tank and the back was still kinda dark. I replaced the 4 lights with 2 radion xr30w s and what a difference. The 2 regions put off more light and better color than the 4 lights I had previously.

I feel the same...I switched from hydra to radions. I do still have 1 hydra 32 over a 32 cube right next to the radions and it makes me want to sell the 32 for another radion hahaha but I cant justify getting rid of a perfectly good light

 

[Vamsi]

Since you are planning on investing in light(s). Check out https://www.reefi-lab.com/, @Dana Riddle is experimenting with them. Also, orphek seems to have a good reputation. If I were in the market for new lights, I would also look into the above two lights. Good luck!!

 

[Nate lyons]

Question:
I have a 36” T5 Hybid with 3 Ai hydra 26hds sideways. I was thinking about buying an Ai hydra 32Hd and having 4 in the T5 to split the center bar.
1. will the 32 blend with the 26 lighting?
2. can I adjust the 32 separately within the AI routine if needed?
3. Should I stick with the 26 and have 4 identical 26s for even lighting?

thoughts?

 

[Nate lyons]

I would also like to mention 26s are pretty cheap right now. It’s a consideration.

 

[RJH829]

I would also like to mention 26s are pretty cheap right now. It’s a consideration.

I like the 32hd but if you 26s I would stick with it

 

[Nate lyons]

I hear the coloration is real nice on them.

Anyone have a mix of old and new AI? Winding how they compare side by side on a routine.

 

[MERKEY]

I hear the coloration is real nice on them.

Anyone have a mix of old and new AI? Winding how they compare side by side on a routine.

I do not have my 26 any more but I still have my 32.

They did not blend well at all. Colors were very different for me when set to the same schedule.

I do like the look of the 32s. They seemed to look a bit more like my radion xr30 g4 pros.

That being said with 3 26d I'd stick with those!