Lighting options

[fishytime]

Originally Posted by zoaElite

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.

ya the customer service is great because they have had so much practice dealing with the wet side issues......its to the point that when you order Vortech pumps they automatically send a service pack to deal with any warranty issues...........dont get me wrong ....I love the three vortechs I have.....they are a cool pump that move massive amounts of water and I will continue to fix mine....but IMHO the wet sides need work

I know someone who is running both the AIs and the Radions on separate tanks and he says go with the AIs......he says the programing sucks on the Radions and the AIs have better par.....Im not sure if his opinion about the programming has changed at all after the software update....


It will be interesting if a couple more of the big dogs, like Giessemann or ATI finally get into the game.....

[cale262]

Originally Posted by unclesalty

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!

This is a common statement from those who have owned both the AI and the Radions...the Radions always win out with the ability to dial in your colour spectrum to your liking, something which the current version of the AI's aren't able to accomplish. If price point is the real issue then I think the DIY would be the best option if you have the time to spare.


On a side note, I just ordered two more Radions for my frag tank build

[MarkoD]

I just can't understand why someone would pay so much more money for something that can be achieved for less money.

Red and green LEDs are not going to increase coral growth.

[cale262]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

I just can't understand why someone would pay so much more money for something that can be achieved for less money.

Red and green LEDs are not going to increase coral growth.

I guess you would would be the expert there

I have more than enough par to burn up everything in my tank and grow any coral I wish...I also like to look at my coral, the ability to adjust colours is more than worth the little bit of money involved...I think it's already been said here, buy what you can afford... if it's a car to get you from A to B and you can only afford the ford focus, then buy the focus...if you want to drive in style with every possible creature comfort and you have the means to do so, buy a nice Mercedes...both cars are going to get you there, ones just much nicer than the other...IMHO.

Or...maybe you'd understand this statement better...

I have a nice point and shoot camera, it takes nice pictures and only cost me $500. My father takes some nice pictures with his camera too, he doesn't think twice about spending $10,000 on one lense...that doesn't make sense to me but it does to him.

[MarkoD]

Originally Posted by cale262

I guess you would would be the expert there

I have more than enough par to burn up everything in my tank and grow any coral I wish...I also like to look at my coral, the ability to adjust colours is more than worth the little bit of money involved...I think it's already been said here, buy what you can afford... if it's a car to get you from A to B and you can only afford the ford focus, then buy the focus...if you want to drive in style with every possible creature comfort and you have the means to do so, buy a nice Mercedes...both cars are going to get you there, ones just much nicer than the other...IMHO.

What do you mean adjust the color? The only LEDs in the radions that have any real sigificants are the whites and blues.

First thing in the morning, turn up only the red or green to the highest power and see if the corals even respond to the light.

[fishytime]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

Red and green LEDs are not going to increase coral growth.

the red spectrum actually does directly affect growth....both coral and algae (so nutrient rich systems beware)

Originally Posted by cale262

I also like to look at my coral, the ability to adjust colours is more than worth the little bit of money involved

can get the same effect with a string of Christmas lights.....in fact they are probably on sale right now

Originally Posted by cale262

...I think it's already been said here, buy what you can afford... if it's a car to get you from A to B and you can only afford the ford focus, then buy the focus...if you want to drive in style with every possible creature comfort and you have the means to do so, buy a nice Mercedes...both cars are going to get you there, ones just much nicer than the other...IMHO.

but see.....some posters here are saying that you need two Focuses to one Mercedes, to get you where you are going.......thats more what the debate is about.....

[Madreefer]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

What do you mean adjust the color? The only LEDs in the radions that have any real sigificants are the whites and blues.

First thing in the morning, turn up only the red or green to the highest power and see if the corals even respond to the light.

A buddy has the Vertex, did'nt even think about them when I was in the market for LEDs. IMO way overpriced and like having seperate units shall something go wrong and you have to send away. But the option to adjust the reds is so wicked. It really is cool to be able to get that perfect color by adjusting the reds which can be done on the Radions. I forgot to mention that next summer I plan on replacing 2 of my AI's with 2 Radions just so I can do some reds. I just hope the price goes down and that they will be able to fit on the light rails for the AI's.

[Zoaelite]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

What do you mean adjust the color? The only LEDs in the radions that have any real sigificants are the whites and blues.

Proof plz... Green probably no but red certainly does provide light energy for photosynthesis.

[ensquire]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

How come there is no DIY option in the poll?

Sorry buddy, not a DIY guy when it comes to lighting, and actually not much difference, price wise, than the AI, if I did my figuring right on Modular's site.

[intarsiabox]

Aren't the white LEDs on both units full spectrum already? Meaning they already carry the proper light output colors of the sun. The other bulbs simulate deeper water effects and enhance colors to the viewers taste not to simulate colors as you would see them in person underwater. There are numerous LED companies out there that sell cheap add-on set ups to add different colors to suit your personal tastes regardless of what light set up one chooses.

BTW I love the Focus vs Mercedes comparison, twice the price and twice the shop time! I really hope that's not how the reliability of the radion turns out. LED reliability has already been given a bad rep by a previous "top end" manufacturer.