Radion (not radion Pro) vs Hydra 52's

SFish · 11/22/2015, 09:12 AM

Up in the air as to which one to get. I am going to get some Radion power heads. I like that the Hydra has more LED's. The Radion only has 38 LEDs vs 52 in the Hydra. Also the Hydra has 4 pucks vs 2 in the Radion. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks

thegrun · 11/22/2015, 11:04 AM

I've been very happy with the Hydra 52s over my 120 mixed reef SPS dominated tank, but I'm sure the Radions would work well also.

SFish · 11/22/2015, 11:27 AM

Good to know because I want to run a mixed reef. Is the wifi built in the 52s?

Indymann99 · 11/22/2015, 12:15 PM

AI Hydra 52 "HD" has built in wifi controller. The standard Hydra 52 does not and needs a AI Director / APEX (via AWM module) or other controller. The standard Hydra 52 DOES use wifi but needs external controller.

SFish · 11/22/2015, 02:00 PM

Yeah that's what I'm looking at the HD version. The fact that I wouldn't have to buy one of those wifi box things for the LEDs is nice.

SFish · 11/22/2015, 07:08 PM

Any thoughts on the light coverage from 4 pucks vs 2? Also what about the LEDs would having more white and blue be better? Do you have to have the reeflink to run the Radion XR30w G3?

The Hydra has:

12 cool white
12 Royal blue
12 blue
4 deep red
4 green
4 415nm
4 400nm

Vs

8 cool white
8 blue
8 deep blue
4 green
4 red
4 indigo
4 violet

PatW · 11/22/2015, 07:16 PM

If you look at the basic ratios, both lights run 1 cool white to one blue to one deep blue. They both throw in about 1 part violet and a half part each of green and red. The distribution of lights is very similar. I have heard of people getting good results of either of these. In facts, quite a few people did fine with the earlier versions which had cool white, blue and dark blue.

Both lights are highly regarded and you will probably do fine with whichever one you pick.

SFish · 11/26/2015, 06:53 PM

Thanks all

I think I'll go with the 52 HD. It just seems like you get a little bit more out of these lights.

11/22/2015, 09:12 AM	#1
SFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 2,062	Radion (not radion Pro) vs Hydra 52's Up in the air as to which one to get. I am going to get some Radion power heads. I like that the Hydra has more LED's. The Radion only has 38 LEDs vs 52 in the Hydra. Also the Hydra has 4 pucks vs 2 in the Radion. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

11/22/2015, 12:15 PM	#4
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	AI Hydra 52 "HD" has built in wifi controller. The standard Hydra 52 does not and needs a AI Director / APEX (via AWM module) or other controller. The standard Hydra 52 DOES use wifi but needs external controller. __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

11/22/2015, 02:00 PM	#5
SFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 2,062	Yeah that's what I'm looking at the HD version. The fact that I wouldn't have to buy one of those wifi box things for the LEDs is nice. Last edited by SFish; 11/22/2015 at 02:51 PM.

11/22/2015, 07:08 PM	#6
SFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 2,062	Any thoughts on the light coverage from 4 pucks vs 2? Also what about the LEDs would having more white and blue be better? Do you have to have the reeflink to run the Radion XR30w G3? The Hydra has: 12 cool white 12 Royal blue 12 blue 4 deep red 4 green 4 415nm 4 400nm Vs 8 cool white 8 blue 8 deep blue 4 green 4 red 4 indigo 4 violet Last edited by SFish; 11/22/2015 at 07:14 PM.

11/22/2015, 11:04 AM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I've been very happy with the Hydra 52s over my 120 mixed reef SPS dominated tank, but I'm sure the Radions would work well also.

11/22/2015, 11:27 AM	#3
SFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 2,062	Good to know because I want to run a mixed reef. Is the wifi built in the 52s?

11/22/2015, 07:16 PM	#7
PatW Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 275	If you look at the basic ratios, both lights run 1 cool white to one blue to one deep blue. They both throw in about 1 part violet and a half part each of green and red. The distribution of lights is very similar. I have heard of people getting good results of either of these. In facts, quite a few people did fine with the earlier versions which had cool white, blue and dark blue. Both lights are highly regarded and you will probably do fine with whichever one you pick.

11/26/2015, 06:53 PM	#8
SFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 2,062	Thanks all I think I'll go with the 52 HD. It just seems like you get a little bit more out of these lights.