as I said, its still 500 bones worth of add -ons you would need on top of the 400 bones for the AI.....radions are 825 smackers...... and how does a cable, vortech module and sim led go far beyond what a radion can do?...

speaking of cables:mrgreen:....did I mention the wireless aspect of the radions?.....


by that rational AIs are already obsolete.....not to worry, almost everything on the radions is modular and upgradeable to the latest and greatest:wink:

When it comes right down to it the new AI Vegas will be obsolete in a year also and Ecotech will be working on there next fixture soon if they are not already. LED lights are much like every electronics product as they are almost obsolete before they even hit the market!

I ended up getting a really good deal on mine so the Radions were a no brainer for me

Far beyond as in other reasons, vortech module allows everything to work seamlessly through one controller that has web access and eliminates the need for the individual controllers. So the reason for the vortech module is more than just integration with the light fixture. Also the OP has a 90 gallon so more than one fixture will be needed so even with the extra options still cheaper. And they're options, as in the buyer has the choice whether to add them or not, options are good.

As for the Radions being upgradeable, lets wait until they actually release a kit, more likley they'll just release a new fixture with 6 channels including some UV.

Ive been looking up the AI Vega and can't seem to find any hard specs on it just internet 'spec'ulation. This is worse than cell phones.:frusty:

Thats exactly what AI is doing and I bet Ecotech does the same. It puts alot more money in their pockets that way.

I've fell for future upgrades before, the upgrade costs 10% less than a completely new product! My profilux 2 needs $500 in upgrades and still can't run half the new stuff as only the 3 can

They had it all set to be released last fall but its seems after the Radion came out it was held back. I bet AI now got something to equal or better the Radion

Totally, the upgrade feature seems more like a marketing thing. In retro spec unless you can upgrade more than just the LEDs so that your old fixture matches new fixtures there is little point.

...which has become a normal business plan for all manufacturers especially in electronics. I can accept that just want the best one available today

Vertex seems to be the exception as they just seem to be making pads to be added to the current fixture. Color led pads and now a UV pad

Yeah I like the vertex better than both to be honest cause it's a fixture, the module stuff to me doesn't come close to looks when you need more than one. I also like the Reeftechs but this threads about sols and Radions. I didn't know about the UV pad though, that's cool.

profilux will only need a $30 cable to control AI Sol. and Vortech module is $200.

If you already have a Profilux, then AI may be a good choice. I have 3 modules over my 210 right now, and it's enough for sps and lps. and it's half the price of the Radion.

will that cable work with a profilux 2?

Yes

got a full tank shot with that config? How high are the lights off the water?

So that I am clear. For Radion, you don't need to buy a separate controller but for Sol you do. Am I correct?
My tank is 5x2x2. Somebody already told me that I would need 3 Sols to cover my tank. Does that mean I need 3 Radions as well if I choose Radion or would 2 be sufficient?

Radions have controller built in, sols do not and require the purchase of one or they work will most aquarium controllers. You would need at least 2 Radions for the tank, 2 would be about the same as 3 sols.

What I would like is to hear from people running the AI, utilizing 1 unit per 2sq ft, and whether they feel it's enough, or not. Since PAR is apparently far greater on these than the Radion, then raising them higher allows for great spread, while maintaining decent PAR. Right?

The way I look at it is this, Radions basically don't use optics while sols do hence the reason why radions get better spread but less par. In terms of power they are pretty close:

Radions:
24W Blue
30W R-Blue
40W White

Sol Blue:
24W Blue
24W R-Blue
24W White

The major difference is the Radion has more white but, while this will come down to personal preference, most run LEDs at about a 2 blue/rb to 1 white ratio. So the extra white on the Radions are not really much of an advantage.

So that said in a real life example the two are pretty much matched in power and in theory lifting the sols higher should produce similar spread and par as the Radion, especially if all the optics are switched to 70 degrees.

Which brings us back to the big question. How many does one need to cover a 18" x 60" area?(which is roughly my rock area)

Thats exactly the area I'm covering with 3 sols 12" above water

Well assuming you run them lengthwise and set them high enough to cover the 18" width then you could assume they would cover at least 24" lengthwise being that they are 6" longer than wide. So 3 is what I would start with but I'd use the 70/70 versions.

What have you got for coral? Mine is heavily stocked SPS which really love the light. After 6 months with the 400w radiums, some will start to brown out.
I'm not sure 3 of these will replace what I have now.

Yeah it's hard to say, you might want to stick with the AI recommendations and go with 5 mounted the other way. The good thing you could always try 3 and see how it goes, if you find yourself running them close to 100% and still not giving the corals enough light you could always add the other two. IMO though if the 3 sols won't work then 3 Radions won't either.

Ya, I think they're fairly comparable, intensity and coverage wise. Problem is I can't afford 5, so if 3 didn't work, I'm stuck.
I guess until I see a colorful SPS tank running 3, I can't consider this.

Yeah although it would be cool to see 200W of LED replace 1200W of halide it does seem unlikely.

http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...d/69098bf1.jpg

those are with light @ 40%, and I will get alot better coverage if I have they mounted length wise across the tank.

I've got sps growing 18 inches deep no problem.

100% on both blue and 75% white and 100% only white when I'm at work

Look at dez's tank. He's got 3 covering a 60" tank full of sps

3 AI's or Radions?

He has a bunch of supplemental LED tho, no?

he's got 3 AIs and a couple strips to light the front and back.

i think he's covering more than 18" front to back.

im uploading a picture now of my 18 with 3 AI, give me a few min

Close ups of corals would be good too.

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/s...5at24327PM.png

i dont have much for corals. but here are a few sps. and some lps

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/s...5at25334PM.png
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/s...5at25402PM.png

this one started with one branch 2 months ago
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/s...5at25424PM.png

this also started as one branch about 3 months ago
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/s...5at25457PM.png

put this in about a month and half ago. started encrusting
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/s...5at25530PM.png

couple months in the tank. started encrusting and spreading
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/s...5at25556PM.png

lps on sand bed
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/s...at102641AM.png
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/s...at102555AM.png
http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/s...at102819AM.png

Ok, that coverage looks ok, and the corals look to have kept their color. How have you got those mounted, and how high?

12" above water level.

all 3 mounted onto an aluminum U channel rail.

still working on a vertical rail system to make them height adjustable.

Good, so it looks like I can get away with 3 then. Are these the white or blue?

blue

Perfect. Thx.