
11-03-2011, 09:45 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: REGINA
Posts: 256
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amuvor
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I purchased two Radion fixtures from Concept Aquatics. Thank you Dave and Brad.
I have hanged them from the ceiling temporarily, with rope.
My tank is 4feet long, but it’s 38” wide, and shallow: 22”. The water column, however, sand excluded, is only 18”.
Initially, I experimented hanging the Radions 6 inches away from the water surface, but I got an unlit portion in the middle of the tank, and marked shadows.
At 12” from the water (see pics) the shadows disappear and the tank appears more homogeneously lit.
I used the spectral plots reported in Advanced Aquarist by Sanjai Joshi for Iwasaki and Radium 250W bulbs to guide me in programming spectral peaks and lows for the Radion. I followed Riddle’s work to manage the red part of the spectrum.
The measurements below were taken at noon, when I programmed the fixture to display the highest relative intensity.
Average PAR measurements (Apogee) on the mid to upper reef (12 measurements) is 305; range: 170-455.
Note on expectations:
The tank appears dimmer than it did under MH / Compact combo, even though PAR measurements are on par.
The reds, pinks, and blues appear washed; mute, a little bland.
Glitter lines do compare to MH’s.
Software does not include natural mode; only artificial. I experienced problems with launching speed. Overall, the interface feels underdeveloped, not as user friendly as it could be.
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I was hoping to use the natural mode too but I also noticed its not in the software. Setting up color, %, and intesity and at what time, seems like it might take a little while to set up. Still waiting for my hanging kits but I do have a tracking number for them so early next week they will be here. They seem way brighter lights than my (3 weeks old)AI Sol Blue module- by far! Jeremy at Premium Aquatics thinks the opposite at his first glance??? Once I get my hanging kits I will test them with par readings side by side in my 120gal.
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