The Radion XR15FW Pro is a new light from Ecotech Marine that features a different spectrum from the flagship reef lights. For the last three generations Ecotech has seen fit to release a standard and pro model of the Radion LED lights, as well as a smaller XR15 model, but the XR15FW is the still the only product that the company has made specifically for the freshwater side of the aquarium hobby.
Since its inception Ecotech has maintained that Radions could be fine tuned for any spectrum. However if you had a planted tank, there was a definite sting, and loss of performance, but running the abundant blue LEDs at lower output in order to achieve that bright, warm daylight color under which planted aquariums really pop.
The Radion XR15FW Pro justifies the LED platform as a worthy freshwater planted tank aquarium light with a new LED recipe that aims to grow luscious green freshwater foliage. Compared to the standard Radion the blue diodes have been relegated to only just two spots, with the bulk of the light intensity coming from cool white and neutral white LEDs, with just a touch of green and red LEDs to round out the color spectrum.
The Radion XR15FW is of the ‘Pro’ variety with tons of power but there’s only five channels of colors control, as there’s only five colors in the light anyway. Like the Gen 4 Radions, the real ace up the sleeve is those HEI lenses which deliver excellent color blending and incredibly uniform light distribution.
Other than the spectrum and reduced control channels, the Radion XR15FW is fully compatible with all Radion accessories as well as the Ecosmart Live control platform. With the guts of a Gen 4 Radion the Freshwater version gets a significant bump in power now capable of up to 95 watts of light output, and retails for $349. [Ecotech Marine]
