heres a picture of my tank right now, only 2 AI sols (still waiting for one to come in)
they are only 8 inches above the water. and running at 65% power

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/s...6at40234PM.png

im sure once i get 1 more fixture in the middle and i raise them all to about 12" above water, ill get great coverage and power

I'm blown away by mine! the coloring, settings, programing and features that work with the powerheads! I bought mine blindly before any reviews were out but figured coming from Ecotech it would be A+ product with excellent customer service. Also glad I saved a few $$ by not buying the Vertex

I did have a brand new AI with 70 degree optics installed. Still not as good coverage as the Radion

Dollar for dollar the AIs look way more enticing to purchase. 3 radions @ 800 for a total about $2400. For the AIs, with $2400 you could get 5 AIs. IMHO

its cuz the radions have no optics

I'l take my Radions anyday -thanks!

how do most of these fixtures get mounted?? Side by side or length ways? My tank is only 18" wide and I feel that If I mounted 2 fixtures length ways it would be enough using the Radions as long as they were a foot off the tank. I feel I would need 3 if I went side by side and would probably not need to be quite that distance up. now price wise that would be significant , I personaly like the radions better, but I'm not sure if they are that much better. having a hard time justifying the extra expense. If 2 lengthways works its 1700.00 compared to 1000.00 with controller and rails.. If it's 3 side by side that makes it about 2500.00 compared to 1300.00..
But if it's 2 radions lengthways vs 3 AI side by side it brings things closer..
Are the Radions that much better??

Well, I hope the Radions are good, cause I splurged today, and bought the last 3 on the shelf today at J&L's. And that was only at around 8:30 AM! They are going on my 6' tank, where I just have T5's right now.

I doubt you will be disappointed!

Yeah and I'll take my 2 grand any day