NEW Radion Video
 

Courtesy of Reef Builders

http://vimeo.com/29002212

shipping update

We have been informed our shipment should leave at the end of next week!

Our whole first allocation has been purchased by dealers so there is a huge amount of stock available for everyone, Concept aquariums and Marine aquaria holding the most thus far but reporting selling fast on pre order so let us know if you need direction to other dealers also.

When will the vendors expect to get them?

I am waiting for Ecotech to confirm that the shipping date is still on, if so dealers will receive them maximum 5 days after we do, shipping to us is normally 2 days.

We are also drop shipping any units that dealers request us to so dispatch is shortend

Everything I've read said these pack an equivalent intensity to a 250w. I guess my question is if you're using 400w's, how will they stack up to replacing those? On a 72" long, 30" deep, 30" tall tank, I guess one could replace 3 halides with 4 of these and run them perpendicular but then 4*825 versus 3*825 becomes a consideration. Which then begs the question to me, and I know maybe this is too early to be wondering about this, but do you know if Ecotech plans on any larger units in the coming months in the domain space of a 400w halide replacement? Or are people already replacing their 400w's with these and finding that it's enough?

On the Video from Mr saltwater tank TV if I recall right he mentions something about the fact he believes they are stonger than 250w in equivelant.

In my own experience with various LED brands the wattage equivelant goes out the window on various fronts.

Personally if I was running 400w MH I would have not issue switching to 130w LED

Many people are running LED's now that are said to be 'comparable to a 250w halide', this I hear every time... yet very often they are not running them at full strength. This makes me think they actually are stronger than 'quoted'? Am I off track in this thinking?

Yep pretty much exactly that, when you get a new LED fixture always start at about 40% white and 60% blue, then allow the tank to adjust for a few days, each day adjust up until you find your tanks balance

Well that's the thing. I have faith it's "probably good enough" but the issue is exactly what Funky_Fish14 said, "Everyone" seems to use the comparison to a 250w halide. Thing is if I was using 250w's, that would be an awesome verbal incentive to try it. But being that I use Radiums on 400w hqi, if I knew I'd be happy going from that to a "250w equivalent" then I could just as easily already be on 250w's. Don't get me wrong, I have zero doubt that these are excellent topnotch units, but given the price tag of, say, 3 or 4 of these over my existing tank, it would be disappointing to learn if, say for example, 6 months from now Ecotech announced an even brighter unit or a unit with more LED's (or whatever along those lines) specifically aimed at those with taller-than-average tanks, sort of like the difference between a Vertex 200 and a 260. So that's why I was wondering if anyone knew if they had any such plans.

If they were, I'm sure no one in the "know" would say with sales of the present model at stake. They need to plow through the bazillion of this model they have scheduled for production. THEN go woo hoo we have a bigger better model.

To get more watts from an LED fixture you add LED's so based on that and the fact radion is modular............

I am not seeing good feedback as yet on the XM units out there, the intensity is too much so I will put my hat in my mouth and say it would not surprise me if we see the XM not really taking off, so that leaves us back with the ever popular XPG.

Manufacturers do try and match an LED to an MH fixture, I am not sure this stands ground with all fixtures due to PAR and spectrum variations.

Based on my own experience this is what i advise, and this is generic not related to any fixture ---

up to 120w without optics I advise a tank depth keeping SPS of 24" IF optics are applied this is stretched to 30+"

Ai is 75w with optics and very good (although spotty) at 24" above that it struggles from experience

tank dimension is different LxW as this is fixture design specific.

Based on this I would happily say that the Radion at 24" will easily compete with a 400w MH.

Cot analysis - Long term the LED will pay for itself if you ook at the cost of 400w MH bulbs, most tanks have two? A decent bulb will cost you around $60-$70 twice a year, In one year your can save yourself $280, and thats before taking electricity into account.

Ok sorry for asking then.. :p I was just curious. With the difference between 200 and 260 being there in a different brand thought maybe there was something going on here eventually too, but you're right, who knows. And given Michael's explanation maybe it's not necessary.

@Michael - Thanks for your explanation. Unfortunately my tank sits at 30" depth so I'm just outside that comfort zone of 24". Plus my current lights sit around 10"-12" off the water surface although if mounting a LED panel I'm not sure where it's overall height above the water would sit given the infrastructure I have in place for sliding the light rack in and out. What's the recommended height above the water for the Radions?

Just because you have a 30" tank with 400w MH does not mean the Radion would not suit you, it has optics so the power is going to be very high. I will be amazed if it did not suit. You need to look at other aspects also

Brightness is not everything, spectrum is more important, Radion has a far greater spectrum range due to all the LED's being independantly adjustable.

How many have SPS on the sand bed? I would say the majority are placed between 75% and 25% of tank depth

The Radion is recommended at 8-10" but of course this is adjustable.

I ran two Ai's on my 24" deep cube, Ai's are 70w. I could only run them at 50% power. I think that statement in itself proves the overall power of optically driven LED's. The down side is on some units optics create spotting this was my pet hate of Ai, however Radion has used custom made in house optics that have shown absolute no spotting effect at all.

I suppose the thing to do would be to buy one and try it and see how it looks before committing to purchase 3 or 4. And if it didn't work out for the reef I could toss it over my planted FW and replace the t5's I have over that one. :lol:

Cool, thank you for the insight and explanations. :)

I will have one over my 24" deep cube in about 10 days delivery willing, I will be doing a very thorough review of the lamp within my own capabilities of course.

I would also keep track of Mr saltwater tank TV as he expands his review on his tank where he has replaced MH on one side with a radion, if you have not seen the video I would look at it for sure as it will give you a lot to go on.

http://www.mrsaltwatertank.com/radion/

Thanks, I did watch some his videos. The problem of course is that he's trying it over HIS tank, not mine. The NERVE of the guy!!! :p

Look out for Mr Saltwater TV coming to GHL ProfiLux in November ;)