Aqua Illumination AI Prime or Radion XR15w Pro?

enb141 · 12/08/2015, 01:39 PM

Hi, I have a 20 gallon tank (24x16x15.5) that is located close to a window but never recives direct sun light.

The lightning I'm using for my tank is MicMol Aqua Mini Color + Current USA Satellite 18".

The MicMol is a cool light but unfortunately is pretty tedious to program and with this lights the colors of my montiporas capri are not getting great coloring, so I would like to know if the AI Prime or the Radion XR15w Pro are much better choises than my MicMol Aqua Mini Color or should I only change the Current USA Satellite 18"?

Thanks guys you help will be appreciated.

gcarroll · 12/08/2015, 02:25 PM

I don't think the prime is comparable to the XR15 unless you are considering 2 Primes. Comparable would be the Hydra 25 HD. Both are great fixtures.

enb141 · 12/08/2015, 02:35 PM

I know that the Radion is more powerfull than the AI Prime but I was wondering if the AI Prime will be enough for my tank or should I go for the Radion XR15Pro?

dweber618 · 12/08/2015, 02:47 PM

I have two AI primes over my 100 gallon. Which if I ever asked about it I know I will be told that it is not enough light (AquaIllumination told me I would need FOUR Hydra 52's for adequate coverage if that's any indication).

However - the corals I have are doing amazing and I'm happy with their growth - so for now I'm content with what I have, even if it is supposedly way under what it should be. I also like the software that comes with it. When I was looking if I got the Hydra 26 I would have had to buy the $80 controller in addition to the lights.

For what it's worth - from personal experience with my tank, I imagine 1 prime would be plenty for a 20 gallon tank. Just my .02

gcarroll · 12/08/2015, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dweber618

I have two AI primes over my 100 gallon. Which if I ever asked about it I know I will be told that it is not enough light (AquaIllumination told me I would need FOUR Hydra 52's for adequate coverage if that's any indication).

However - the corals I have are doing amazing and I'm happy with their growth - so for now I'm content with what I have, even if it is supposedly way under what it should be. I also like the software that comes with it. When I was looking if I got the Hydra 26 I would have had to buy the $80 controller in addition to the lights.

For what it's worth - from personal experience with my tank, I imagine 1 prime would be plenty for a 20 gallon tank. Just my .02

I guess if you are only keeping zoas that might work.

I assume your 100g is 48" long. If it is would you be able to get by with 2 for that length. I was factoring in the dimensions of the tank for proper coverage. From what I have seen from this fixture at many different reefing shows, it effectively lights 12" x 12" and overcasts about 18" x 18".

dweber618 · 12/08/2015, 03:06 PM

I have two small pieces of green horn coral, frogspawn, trumpet coral, zoas, xenia, and green button polyps.

dweber618 · 12/08/2015, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcarroll

I guess if you are only keeping zoas that might work.

I assume your 100g is 48" long. If it is would you be able to get by with 2 for that length. I was factoring in the dimensions of the tank for proper coverage. From what I have seen from this fixture at many different reefing shows, it effectively lights 12" x 12" and overcasts about 18" x 18".

Yes - it is a 4ft tank. Dimensions are 47.5" x 23.5" x 20".

enchelycore808 · 12/08/2015, 03:10 PM

I have x2 AI primes over a 20l and they are plenty bright to grow whatever I want in there. I wouldn't compare the prime to the radion but I would bet that one prime is more then enough to grow some sps in the center and lps towards the outer edges.

enb141 · 12/09/2015, 03:24 AM

so in your opinion the radion xr15w pro will be needed for that deeps?

About my lights what do you think about it? will the Radion/AI will make a huge difference from what I already have?

Eggyoke · 12/09/2015, 10:57 AM

AI prime will work for a 20 gallon. Not sure why you would compare those two lights. $200 light and a $400 light. I had a prime over a shallow 24 inch tank. With any single puck light fixture you'll have shadowing issues. I noticed the coral's looked great one one side only. I ended up buying another prime and it fixed the issue. At $200, it wasn't a big deal. You can angle it what ever way you wish.

enb141 · 12/09/2015, 12:07 PM

I was thinking to get an AI Prime or Radion xr15w Pro + another strip light, for example an Current USA Orbit Marine Pro, so my concern is if one AI Prime will be enough but according to you one AI Prime is not enough, so I will need two lights, so I'm wondering if getting one Radion xr15w pro will be more than fine or will I need even with that light another led too?

By the way is really a noticeable difference between the AI Prime and the Radion xr15w Pro?

12/08/2015, 01:39 PM	#1
enb141 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 148	Aqua Illumination AI Prime or Radion XR15w Pro? Hi, I have a 20 gallon tank (24x16x15.5) that is located close to a window but never recives direct sun light. The lightning I'm using for my tank is MicMol Aqua Mini Color + Current USA Satellite 18". The MicMol is a cool light but unfortunately is pretty tedious to program and with this lights the colors of my montiporas capri are not getting great coloring, so I would like to know if the AI Prime or the Radion XR15w Pro are much better choises than my MicMol Aqua Mini Color or should I only change the Current USA Satellite 18"? Thanks guys you help will be appreciated.

12/08/2015, 02:25 PM	#2
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	I don't think the prime is comparable to the XR15 unless you are considering 2 Primes. Comparable would be the Hydra 25 HD. Both are great fixtures. __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

12/08/2015, 02:35 PM	#3
enb141 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 148	I know that the Radion is more powerfull than the AI Prime but I was wondering if the AI Prime will be enough for my tank or should I go for the Radion XR15Pro?

12/08/2015, 02:47 PM	#4
dweber618 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: MT Posts: 334	I have two AI primes over my 100 gallon. Which if I ever asked about it I know I will be told that it is not enough light (AquaIllumination told me I would need FOUR Hydra 52's for adequate coverage if that's any indication). However - the corals I have are doing amazing and I'm happy with their growth - so for now I'm content with what I have, even if it is supposedly way under what it should be. I also like the software that comes with it. When I was looking if I got the Hydra 26 I would have had to buy the $80 controller in addition to the lights. For what it's worth - from personal experience with my tank, I imagine 1 prime would be plenty for a 20 gallon tank. Just my .02

12/08/2015, 03:06 PM	#6
dweber618 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: MT Posts: 334	I have two small pieces of green horn coral, frogspawn, trumpet coral, zoas, xenia, and green button polyps.

12/08/2015, 03:10 PM	#8
enchelycore808 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 405	I have x2 AI primes over a 20l and they are plenty bright to grow whatever I want in there. I wouldn't compare the prime to the radion but I would bet that one prime is more then enough to grow some sps in the center and lps towards the outer edges.

12/09/2015, 03:24 AM	#9
enb141 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 148	so in your opinion the radion xr15w pro will be needed for that deeps? About my lights what do you think about it? will the Radion/AI will make a huge difference from what I already have?

12/09/2015, 10:57 AM	#10
Eggyoke Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 29	AI prime will work for a 20 gallon. Not sure why you would compare those two lights. $200 light and a $400 light. I had a prime over a shallow 24 inch tank. With any single puck light fixture you'll have shadowing issues. I noticed the coral's looked great one one side only. I ended up buying another prime and it fixed the issue. At $200, it wasn't a big deal. You can angle it what ever way you wish.

12/09/2015, 12:07 PM	#11
enb141 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 148	I was thinking to get an AI Prime or Radion xr15w Pro + another strip light, for example an Current USA Orbit Marine Pro, so my concern is if one AI Prime will be enough but according to you one AI Prime is not enough, so I will need two lights, so I'm wondering if getting one Radion xr15w pro will be more than fine or will I need even with that light another led too? By the way is really a noticeable difference between the AI Prime and the Radion xr15w Pro?