narrowed down my LED light options

reef tank 2.0

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 12, 2021
Messages
511
Reaction score
221
Location
Cincinnati
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I have a 24 x 30 x 24D tank.
I have been searching through all the LED options, and I have narrowed it down to 5.
If anyone has used any of these, I would appreciate the feedback.

The only experience I have is with the AI 26HD. My only complaint with that, was the App control. Outside of that, the light worked wonderfully.
I do have an AI on this list, only for the fact that it would work for the size tank I have.

this would be for a mixed reef tank

Here's what I came up with:

AI Hydra 64HD - $760

Kessil AP9X - $870

Radion XR30 G6 - $1000

Reefbreeder Photon 24V2 Pro - $570
 
Last edited:

TX_REEF

Kessil Fanboy
View Badges
Joined
Mar 12, 2023
Messages
3,094
Reaction score
3,655
Location
Texas
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Any of those options will serve you well. I like kessils because they produce superior shimmer and coral color development. However, shadowing can be an issue because of the "spotlight" type design.
 

shakacuz

hang loose, cuz
View Badges
Joined
Aug 7, 2021
Messages
10,340
Reaction score
38,814
Location
Eastern PA
Rating - 100%
6   0   0
for the cost of 2 reefi uno pro 2.0's, you can buy 1 hydra 64HD or kessil ap9x! :)

honestly with 1 reefi you should be good to go for everything. maybe an led bar or two for shadowing later down the road.
 

Dan Meerdo

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 22, 2017
Messages
2
Reaction score
1
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
If it were me, and the APX9 was in the budget, I would go with the XR30. The gold standard for LED lighting and allows you to never have to upgrade/supplement any additional lighting in the future.
 
OP
OP
reef tank 2.0

reef tank 2.0

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 12, 2021
Messages
511
Reaction score
221
Location
Cincinnati
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
the only thing there that could be a concern, is the spillage as @TX_REEF mentioned.
unless there are light shields that could be used. but that also depends how strong the light spillage is.
 

shakacuz

hang loose, cuz
View Badges
Joined
Aug 7, 2021
Messages
10,340
Reaction score
38,814
Location
Eastern PA
Rating - 100%
6   0   0
If it were me, and the APX9 was in the budget, I would go with the XR30. The gold standard for LED lighting and allows you to never have to upgrade/supplement any additional lighting in the future.

the reefi's outperform/match the xr30's at a lower price point. to each their own, though.

the only thing there that could be a concern, is the spillage as @TX_REEF mentioned.
unless there are light shields that could be used. but that also depends how strong the light spillage is.
can always get a cover/shield 3d printed for your needs :)
 
Last edited:

Colt13

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 11, 2018
Messages
280
Reaction score
264
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
unless i read that wrong...the XR30 is by Radion, right? that has a 48x48 coverage. thats too large
thats not true, radion xr30 has max coverage of 36x36, and thats for a low par/fowlr tank, not a mixed reef
 

KC2020

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 18, 2024
Messages
280
Reaction score
212
Location
Southern California
Rating - 0%
0   0   0

the reefi's outperform/match the xr30's at a lower price point. to each their own, though.
All the pretty charts in Dana Riddle's review of the reefi surely mean it must be a superior light. Now if corals just understood the charts and measurements that we can create then you'd be guaranteed good growth. :oops:

But seriously all the lights you list will grow a great reef tank.

In the decades I've been doing this it often comes down to the look you like / want.

I've used every Kessil ever made to great success. I just bought a couple of the Gen 6 Radions and they're a great light but create a very different effect. All the AI lights I've used grew great corals but they look a little different again.

I'd highly recommend that you try and look at some tanks with the various lights to help make your decision.
 

Marquarium

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 10, 2023
Messages
317
Reaction score
1,314
Location
Detroit
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Your budget is enough that any option you pick you'll be super happy with. I'm biased to Kessil so that's my vote :p

If you have a few LFS close by you could try to see some of the lights they use in person and compare from that.
 
OP
OP
reef tank 2.0

reef tank 2.0

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 12, 2021
Messages
511
Reaction score
221
Location
Cincinnati
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
i was looking at that Kessil fixture in more detail. i certainly like that you don't HAVE TO use wifi for controlling it.
I definitely like manual control. It's certainly a nice fixture with a hefty price tag.

I have a couple LFS's in my area, i'm gonna stop in and see what lights they are using.

I have always liked the Kessils, (tuna blue). I saw those on a fellow reefers tank, but the size of my tank at the time wasn't a good fit for that fixture.

I'm open to options though, figured I won't be ready for a light for a few more weeks or so. Raw shrimp method needs to hurry up :)
 
OP
OP
reef tank 2.0

reef tank 2.0

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 12, 2021
Messages
511
Reaction score
221
Location
Cincinnati
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
not because of cost, but everything I am seeing / hearing about the Radion XR15 G6's sound like it's a heck of a light. The biggest downfall that seems to be, is the Mobius controller app. I have never used it, but it doesn't seem to be a consistent problem with everyone.

I'm continuing to look further into it, but certainly looks appealing, but the reefbreeder 24-v2 does too. :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
reef tank 2.0

reef tank 2.0

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 12, 2021
Messages
511
Reaction score
221
Location
Cincinnati
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
and to open a whole new can of worms.......i don't think I'll go this route, but it is an option.
I was talking to the Kessil folks, about there whole line up.
They also recommended (2) 360X TB fixtures. so there's that too.
thats getting up there in $$$ too.

options, options
 

VintageReefer

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 16, 2023
Messages
10,359
Reaction score
16,816
Location
USA
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
not because of cost, but everything I am seeing / hearing about the Radion XR15 G6's sound like it's a heck of a light. The biggest downfall that seems to be, is the Mobius controller app. I have never used it, but it doesn't seem to be a consistent problem with everyone.

I'm continuing to look further into it, but certainly looks appealing, but the reefbreeder 24-v2 does too. :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:
The photon 24 will destroy an xr15 in par output

This chart is a photon 24 on a 36” tank
I don’t have the data off hand but from what I read on the forum a lot of xr15 owners are upset with the lack of par and a single xr15 on a 36” tank couldn’t hit these numbers.

You can run the photon at a lower wattage, equaling cooler temperatures, resulting in prolonged life for the leds.
 

Attachments

  • 5306981A-6762-4499-A720-10874FE2F046.png
    5306981A-6762-4499-A720-10874FE2F046.png
    600.5 KB · Views: 53
  • 4DB5A012-68A2-4B33-9D80-DF509F70E495.jpeg
    4DB5A012-68A2-4B33-9D80-DF509F70E495.jpeg
    624 KB · Views: 46
  • 04592165-EB62-4ADF-8FA0-5121F2C2D201.jpeg
    04592165-EB62-4ADF-8FA0-5121F2C2D201.jpeg
    285.8 KB · Views: 31
  • A377A1C4-98A7-43A6-AF11-4427E622FF82.jpeg
    A377A1C4-98A7-43A6-AF11-4427E622FF82.jpeg
    325.4 KB · Views: 47

TOP 10 Trending Threads

WHICH OF THESE CREEPY REEF CRITTERS IS MOST LIKELY TO GIVE YOU NIGHTMARES? (PICTURED IN THE THREAD)

  • The Bobbit Worm

    Votes: 50 66.7%
  • The Goblin Shark

    Votes: 4 5.3%
  • The Sea Wolf

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Giant Spider Crabs

    Votes: 1 1.3%
  • The Stargazer Fish

    Votes: 5 6.7%
  • The Giant Isopod

    Votes: 9 12.0%
  • The Giant Squid

    Votes: 1 1.3%
  • Other (Please explain!)

    Votes: 5 6.7%
Back
Top