Lighting options
 

Just trying to get some ideas on what people think in the area of lighting.
I'm starting a 90 Gallon DT with 30 Gallon sump next month and have a few options as far as lighting goes. Tank is 48L x 18H x 24W. It will eventually be a mixed reef so I think it would be good to just bite the bullet and jump into the LED fixtures. And I know that the 36" fixture would only work at best on a FOWLR tank. All opinions and advise appreciated
Options are :
(1) 36" Aquaticlife 6 x 39W T5 ( I have)
(2) 48" Degenboa 2 x 250W MH w 2 x 54W T5 ( I have)
(3) 2 AI Super Blue Sol
(4) 2 Ecotech Radion

The measurments you gave are for a 120G...

Oops 48 x 24 x 18 Thanks for the heads up . It is a 90 gallon

I have owned both fixtures and the Radion is by far the better fixture IMO- better coverage, wireless(less cables), nicer looking fixture, nicer coloring, and better programing+ features. Only thing I prefered with the AI is the lightening over the Radions lightening. I have 2 Radions right now over my 120gal and they look awesome. The AI's are nice but the Radions are just nicer IMO. The Radions are actually cheaper too than the AI's also because IMO you will definately need more than 2 AI's for a 120g. 2 AI's = 1 Radion for coverage. If it was me I would use 4 AI's on a 120g or 6 AI's on a 180g. Radions you need only 2 on a 120g and 3 or 4 on a 180g

A major thing to consider is that the radions are double the price of the ai.

I'm sure everyone would pick the radions if the price was lower

Yes I hear you but IMO you need 2 AI's to equal 1 Radion so price is the same and you are getting a way better fixture with the Radion

And with a killer boxing day sale from a Canreef vendor I just noticed, the Radion is even cheaper than 2 AI's

I just was there and it has me thinking that way LOL

Where was that?

There are actually 2 vendors so far with that price reduction on the Radions.

I have yet to see any proof that you need 2 AI's to 1 Radion. I was set on getting the Radions but the price was way higher than my budget of $2k. So in my case it made total sense to buy 4 of the AI's complete with hanging kit and controller for the price of 2 Radions. I contacted Ecotech with a question on how many I needed for my system and they could'nt give me a good answer as to the required amount. Was really confused when they rate 1 fixture is equal to 1 250W MH. I'm choosing the Radions on your poll only cause I would like some reds as I think thats the only thing the AI Sols are lacking. You did'nt put prices up there so I set costs aside. But it is a known fact that all Ecotech products are overpriced but it's the consumers fault for paying them.

Yeah have no idea how anyone got 2 radions to 1 ai.

I'm gonna be running 3 ai on my 6 foot tank and it'll cover all my rocks and corals. There's no way I could do that with 1.5 or even 2 radions

Compare them side by side and you will see. IMO and lots of other peoples opinion is that 6 AI's are reguired for a 6 ft tank. The AI's even with 70 degree optics installed do not have the coverage spread the Radions do. I have researched this for months but its also my opinion and everyone has a different opinion. I was originally going to go with a Vertex or 6 AI's but changed my mind and will have 4 Radions on my 6ft.

Well I see no reason for intensely lighting my sand, overflow box and the glass. So 3 ai fixtures perfectly cover all possible places where I can put corals

I still think you will need 4 AI's at a very bare minimum on a 6ft tank. But if 3 work for you all the better. Also the more fixtures you have the less spotlighting you will have. Also less intensity(watts) needed which they say prolongs the life of the fixture! The soon to be released AI Phoenix might compare to the Radion but right now the Sol isn't in the same league.

I think this link will change your mind.
http://www.h2oplusomething.com/index...ment&Itemid=64

And they say 6 AI's are needed if you mount them perpindicular side by side. If mounted length wise 3 or 4 should be good.

honestly. you just spent 3 grand lighting your tank i spent less than a 1000.

even if i got an additional AI (which i might) i'd still be at less than half of what you paid

and if i wanted to spend 3 grand and get 8 AI sol fixtures. i'd have more power, and less spotlight than you'd have with 4 radions.

I did read that article a couple months back! The AI has better par but "spotlights" and has less coverage as seen in the pics. Lots of people on RC are also not happy with the AI's and there coloring.

I'm REALLY impressed with the Radion!

That review was done with the 40 degree optics. There would probably be significantly less spotlighting if it had the 70 degree optics.

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

That fan on the radion is kind of concerning. Being on the bottom of the fixture, you are going to be sucking moisture head on. Would you not also get some salt in there also? If it was on the top it wouldn't be so bad cause you aren't facing the water. Any radio owners wanna chime in?

I thought the exact same thing. The fan draws air from the bottom and then it channels it out the 2 ends. The electronics are completely sealed from the air passage cooling tunnels so nothing to worry about. The fan itself could be a problem down the road but thought I heard where it was only $20 to replace fan but not 100% sure on that price.

Looks like really good coverage with the AI's considering it's only 2 units over six foot long tank. Makes me wonder why some say the coverage is bad with the AI's. Oh well, I guess if I paid double the price for poorer par I would look for a justification too. To each their own, either fixture will grow coral just fine.

exactly. no one is gonna spend 3 grand on 4 radions and then publicly admit they made a mistake, thats why you'll never get an honest review.


i also havent seen anyone mention that the radions have a big ass power supply thats almost bigger than the unit itself.

I dont think it'll be a problem. You wont be mounting them close to the water anyways. As to the people having problems with the AI's well they've been out alot longer so of course there will be some reviews. There will be some negative feedback from the Radions as well just as soon as people start bleaching and frying all their corals. IME I started to have a little bit of algae show up on my sandbed due to a little impatience.The biggest mistake people make is turning the intensity up too high from the start. I grow corals not sand, who cares, I got a sandsifter problem solved. If one can get their hands on a par meter or have a little patience all should go well. No need to be a couple of kids arguing over who's got the better bike. Both lights are good. The AI Sols work good for me and theres good reviews on the Radions. Buy what you can afford.

Exactly-buy what you can afford! I do have a par meter and I did own both an AI and Radion at the same time. Was an easy decision for me which to sell and which to keep!

Apostrophe button broken :razz:?

Ended up being just under $5000 for 6 of them and I couldn't be happier thus far! I'm a little confused on your opinion though, if someone was to think they were cheesed on the lights wouldn't that be more incentive to post about it?

I was looking at both options but opted for the Ecotech due to previous customer service response from the company. They make an unreal power head, theory would stick that there lights are pretty high quality.

What's wrong with a little junk in the trunk?

And what a nice ballast it is.. Powder coated, with an indicator lamp and a jack for a battery backup power supply.

How come there is no DIY option in the poll? :razz: