narrowed down my LED light options

[reef tank 2.0]

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

 

[TX_REEF]

what are you planning to grow? I use the Kessil AP9x on both of my tanks and love it. You will have spillage over the sides because the optics are designed for 24x48 spread.

Also check out Reefi: https://www.reefi-lab.com/product-category/lighting/

 

[reef tank 2.0]

ahhh, i was looking at the "recommended coverage".

hoping to grow a little of everything. (mixed reef)

 

[TX_REEF]

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]

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]

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.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

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.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

unless i read that wrong...the XR30 is by Radion, right? that has a 48x48 coverage. thats too large

 

[VintageReefer]

You could get a reefbreeders photon 24 v2 for $570 and it will hold its own with any of those fixtures

 

[reef tank 2.0]

I was looking at that fixture the other day. Don't remember why I steered away from it. I will add that to my list and consideration. Need to look into this one.

 

[shakacuz]

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.

Reviews and Social Media – ReeFi Lab

www.reefi-lab.com

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

 

[Colt13]

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]

Reviews and Social Media – ReeFi Lab

www.reefi-lab.com

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.

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.

 

[DanyL]

A single ReeFi Uno 2.0 Pro would be more than enough for you.

 

[Marquarium]

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

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.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

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

 

[reef tank 2.0]

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.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

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

 

[reef tank 2.0]

are we overthinking this? hell ya we are.
with the price of these lights, we are doing this ONCE and only once.
gotta make the right choice. Aint stopping till this horse is good and dead

 

[VintageReefer]

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.

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.