Sorry I have to totally disagree with you as its no comparison. Markos tank definitely needs more light at each end for my liking but if it works for him thats good! Coralgurls tank has way better coverage as its very very very easy to see that. Talk to anyone that has had both fixtures and they will tell you including myself.

I've had both fixtures and I'm telling you.

Coralgirl's pictures were taken with a flash.

But how about this, you show me a picture of your tank with the radions and I'll never post against you again. Ever

I would take better spread as the Radions don't even need to be close to be maxed out so. Currently my 2 fixtures on my 120 are only using 105 watts combined and Jhammer can verify that as I showed him on the weekend.

I had both fixtures too with a PAR METER also!
There was no decision whatsoever which fixture to sell and which to keep
Ok when 180 is up and going I will take and post pictures. Also some par and power/wattage readings pics to go along as an added bonus!

oh so what you're saying is you dont even have a running tank?

so what makes you such an expert in LEDs?

I cant speak Mr. Halide guy.....:lol: Good for you.




.....just teasin of course. I look forward to your thoughts on them as I was thinking of buying one or the Radion for my new cube. Or I suppose one more SWC unit to supplement the one I have already.

here you go unclesalty. i took this picture just for you.

think its bright enough?

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/s...7at52900PM.png

Well, I see it like this. One of the nicest SPS tanks on the board uses 3 AIs and has the same area I need covered. And at half the cost, it's a no brainer. I would still need 3 radions to cover my tank, and that's over 2500 bucks. $1000 more than I need to spend for AIs.
I have not seen a SPS tank posted here with radions of any caliber to make me think otherwise.
Yes, the radion is a nice looking fixture, it has lots of geek appeal if you like that sort of thing, but I do not believe it is a better light. I believe it is a different light, more suited to a different audience. If I had a ton of spare cash lying around, maybe I'd consider them.

I have a 120g goin with 2 Radions with excellent coverage. 1 AI didn't cover 1/2 of my 120 tank properly so it was obviously sold.
PAR meters are devices that are used to measure and compare light fixtures. Not accurate with LED's but good for comparing 2 LED fixtures. Par meters are not needed even needed when looking at Radion coverage vs AI spotlighting as it can be seen with the naked eye.

i've posted threads with pictures showing the difference between the 2 fixtures proving my point.

why wont you post a picture to prove yours?

If you think the AI is better fixture than the Radion can I interest you in one of my bridges for sale? :lol: Another uneducated one who has not owned both fixtures!

you look like the uneducated one here. talking out of your butt and you wont even post a picture of your tank

I think I might have to split the difference and go half AI's, half radions just so i stay neutral with everyones led gangs...lol

4 radions across the back
4 AI's along the front!!

Coralgurls pic blows that pic out of the water I have to say with her colouring

we're talking brightness. so i showed you brightness

What some are doing is buying the cheaper AI's then supplementing them with T5's to achieve proper colouring to match the Radions

Sorry but thats ugly brightness though if you ask me

Maybe another row of orphek on the sides...:mrgreen:

but i didnt touch the brightness of the LEDs.

can you please explain why one picture looks so overly bright and the other one looks "too dark" as you say?

I'm not exactly sure. Did you maybe have the end fixtures in the first pic turned down maybe to achieve the dark ends??

Marko vs Unclesalty. AI Sol vs Radion. I will wait till Vega and see. Right now DIY I go.

no its because i took the second picture over exposed!

which is why comparing tanks in pictures is irrelevant.

this amazing spread that you've seen in coralgirls tank is because she used a flash when she took the picture. duuuurrrr, it blankets the entire tank with even light

I am not giving up on this fight! lol
I sense already the Vega will be awesome and compete with the Radion

i still want to see a picture of your tank.

You probably don't want to start calling me names, it won't end well. :neutral:

I don't need to own both, I need enough light to adequately light my tank and grow my corals. And the opinions of Dez and Rich are enough for me, and your opinion is not.
This was an otherwise good thread until you showed up arguing and insulting. Maybe go away so it can resume being good thread.

Its under the Radion thread but I will take another pic of it tomorrow when its at peak intensity only using 105 watts

Ok bye uneducated one!

More educated people on reef central anyhow!

imagine how stupid this guy would look if he admitted that he wasted his money on radions.

it was supposed to be a thread debating the two fixtures, but has been nuthin but an AI thread for about three pages:wink::razz:

Radions can be sold or are you stupid?

i think you should go to reef central and join your fanboys.

you have no credibility here anymore

They have it in there heads that an AI is a better fixture- too much crack i guess

We're gonna take a commercial break for a while :)

Yes, you're right. My apologies, it was mostly me that did that. I did start a AI thread, so I'll take my chatting over there.

Carry on comparing (but let's not fight, ok? ) :razz:

I have 2 AIs running on my 120G. I have to say I've been really happy. I'm not currently doing SPS but I have to say my Ricordia colour has been restored since switching from T5.
I can't say I owned Radions as I didn't like the idea of the controllers in each unit. I think it was really smart of AI to have the controllers external and able to control 9 units.

There is no way for a picture posted on the internet to give anyone a realistic idea of light quality there are simply too many variables

J

so my big question is if they were the same price would you all have still picked sols?

i'd but 2 sols over one radion for the same price

I may pick the Radions over the SOLs if they were the same price, based solely on physical appearance. I do think the Radion is a nicer looking unit. I haven't seen an AI in person (well, I did but didn't know what I was looking at back then), but I have seen a Radion and I like the slick appearance.

However, I can't pay an extra $1000 for aesthetics :)

Sanjay's article gives value to the red for illuminating fish, so it may have some purpose afterall, but again, not $400/unit worth.

After reading all the numerous threads on the subject, I think I will buy the Radions when I can save up the money.
I have been searching for a light that won't make all the reds in my tank look like dried blood for the last 10 yrs (ever since I switched from vho to MH's) and have spent 100's of dollars trying different metal halide bulbs without success.
I think with the addition of the red and green bulbs, radions will finally achieve that