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20" cube lighting recommendations


Nixperience

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Nixperience

I'm looking for everyone's input on best light options for my upcoming 20" cube.

 

I have an AI Prime right now that should hold me over for a little while.

 

I was looking at either Radion XR15w pro or AI Hydra 26HD.

Not sure if these are overkill.

 

I want sleek, minimal design, good spectrum, good controllability.

 

Let me know other ideas as well.

 

Thanks.

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HarryPotter

How about Radion XR30w, Hydra 52HD, or NanoBox Duo? :P

 

Screw shadows man!

 

(Any of the ones you listed are fine.... But I would get 2 pucks. In case of a future upgrade and to squash any shadows in your tank and allow taller aquascape)

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Nixperience

How about Radion XR30w, Hydra 52HD, or NanoBox Duo? :P

Screw shadows man!

(Any of the ones you listed are fine.... But I would get 2 pucks. In case of a future upgrade and to squash any shadows in your tank and allow taller aquascape)

So would the Hydra 26 be better for reducing shadows, but radion a better light?

Xr30 and hydra 52 a bit pricey for a 33 gallon tank.

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Bradical8469

I have seen both light produce great success. That being said If you go with the hydra you could use the prime for a different set up at a later date and only need one program to control both. That is unless you plan to use an apex or similar controller. I ended up using the raidion for my 25 cube mainly because I already had a radion light and mp10 on an existing tank. Made it simpler to have just one program to control all of them.

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Nixperience

The Hydra seems to be the cheapest option and I'm already used to the controls. Just the mounting options on the hydra suck.

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The Hydra seems to be the cheapest option and I'm already used to the controls. Just the mounting options on the hydra suck.

the hydra 26 will be more than enough for a 20inch cube. I assume this is for your new build you have going, the White Hydra 26HD would look really clean on this setup with ext rails and mounts. Only problem is you are looking at 100 bucks if you go the ext rails and ext arm

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Nixperience

the hydra 26 will be more than enough for a 20inch cube. I assume this is for your new build you have going, the White Hydra 26HD would look really clean on this setup with ext rails and mounts. Only problem is you are looking at 100 bucks if you go the ext rails and ext arm

 

Ya the damn mounting system is a lot. I wonder if I should just get a 2nd prime.

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Ya the damn mounting system is a lot. I wonder if I should just get a 2nd prime.

2 primes will do fine as well. Better coverage then the Hydra. My only complaint with the 26hd is the pucks are too close together IMO. 2 primes will still look sleek. I've owned primes, hydras, Nanobox, all good lights just gotta make sure you like it! However I must say seeing your build being really clean and super nice I don't think you'd be disappointed with spending the money on a nano box duo. You can have Dave make a white one to match everything. But if you like the way the prime looks then go for second :D

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Nixperience

So between xr15, hydra 26, nanobox duo, duo wins?

 

Hydra 52 and duo, hydra wins?

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So between xr15, hydra 26, nanobox duo, duo wins?

 

Hydra 52 and duo, hydra wins?

I would agree on this.

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Nixperience

If you are buying a Hydra 52 might as well go for Nanobox Wide Quad.

Quad is wider than the tank and I can get a really good deal on the 52. Otherwise, I would probably do a duo.

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Quad is wider than the tank and I can get a really good deal on the 52. Otherwise, I would probably do a duo.

 

A Wide Quad is not wider than your tank. Dave makes two versions of the quad now. A linear quad and a wide quad.

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Nixperience

A Wide Quad is not wider than your tank. Dave makes two versions of the quad now. A linear quad and a wide quad.

Hmm. All I see on the site is the 24" quad. I can get a hydra 52 under $500. Tough to beat that.

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Oh man that is perfect for a cube! I'm looking for best light I can afford. I can't imagine that will be in my price range :(

 

Contact Dave. I am pretty sure the pricing is similar to the regular quad.

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Nixperience

Contact Dave. I am pretty sure the pricing is similar to the regular quad.

Ya if that's the case, it's definitely way out of my price range.

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Contact Dave. I am pretty sure the pricing is similar to the regular quad.

Huge price difference. Also he isn't looking for the cheapest light. The Hydra 52 will be 100% fine for growing anything and he will have no shadows.

Anyone know of a way to mod the prime mount to hang the hydra?

On the hydras they have two screw in points on each side of the fixture on top in between the heatsink blades. The prime mount I don't think will be strong enough. You can simply purchase the hanging kit on amazon for 30 bucks and hang the light?

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Nixperience

Huge price difference. Also he isn't looking for the cheapest light. The Hydra 52 will be 100% fine for growing anything and he will have no shadows.

 

On the hydras they have two screw in points on each side of the fixture on top in between the heatsink blades. The prime mount I don't think will be strong enough. You can simply purchase the hanging kit on amazon for 30 bucks and hang the light?

Wonder if I got a second prime mount and used 2 on it.

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