Radion vs. AI Sol

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Bblinks

I know Martin at Modular have them on sale for 399 with free shipping plus its only 7% GST up there. I know its not much savings but its better then nothing.

That seems to be the going rate. Saving a couple of bucks on tax may work out better than buying in BC. Plus he offers swapping of the optics if he's got some. Still thinking on that feature.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by unclesalty

It look kinda dark for my liking but each to there own! Check out Coralgurls tank with 3 Radions. Way better coverage and colour spectrum!

I think coverage might be a bit better, but they're less intense. I need more intensity for my tank. Coverage is sufficient with the AIs for my needs.
I also need color close to my radiums. Maybe a bit whiter. I don't need red or green. Seems like a waste of space to me, better utilized for practical bulbs. But to each their own..

[Bblinks]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

3 sols can cover my rock work perfectly



and i dont have to clean the glass as often since theres no light spilling onto it, yay

I totally agree with you, 3 will cover a 180 no problem with way better par reading then the radions on any day of the week. sorry uncle, marko has a point here. I have used it on my own 210 running just 3 units and now its running on my good buddy's similar size tank with only 3 units with all good results.

[Bblinks]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

That seems to be the going rate. Saving a couple of bucks on tax may work out better than buying in BC. Plus he offers swapping of the optics if he's got some. Still thinking on that feature.

Yes, I would highly recommand you changing to all 70 degrees lens since he will do it for free. I was going to get all mine changed over but since I got 9 on the tank, coverage isn't something I am concerned with.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Bblinks

Yes, I would highly recommand you changing to all 70 degrees lens since he will do it for free. I was going to get all mine changed over but since I got 9 on the tank, coverage isn't something I am concerned with.

What effect on intensity do you think this would have?

[Veng68]

Sanjay's new article on LED fixtures:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/3/aafeature

I'd like to see the new Kessil Tuna Blue unit........ but I guess that's to new.

Cheers,
Vic

[MarkoD]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

What effect on intensity do you think this would have?

heres a realistic comparison

Radion:
8x Cree XP-G Cool White LEDs run at 5w each
8x Cree XP-E Blue LEDs run at 3w each
10x Cree XP-E Royal Blue LEDs run at 3w each

White and blues on radions equal to 94 Watts

4x Cree XP-E Green LEDs run at 3w each
4x Osram Oslon SSL Hyper Red LEDs run at 3w each
i dont consider these as photosynthetic light


Sols:
8x 3 watt white
8x 3 watt blue
8x 3 watt royal blue

total 72 watts



so with radions you're basically paying more than double for an additional 22 watts. and when you consider that the radions dont have any kind of optics; that 22 watts probably just gets dispersed into the water or ends up lighting the inside glass of your tank

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

heres a realistic comparison

I was asking more about the effects on intensity when switching out the 40 for 70 degree optics.

[Bblinks]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

What effect on intensity do you think this would have?

I am really not sure Brad, but I would guess it to be down about 10% of what was originally tested. I am getting a par meter from a LFS, I could swap out 1 unit into all 70 degree lens and see what the difference is in par reading. One can only speculate without doing proper testing.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Bblinks

I am really not sure Brad, but I would think it would be down about 10% of what was originally tested. I am getting a par meter from a LFS, I could swap out 1 unit into all 70 degree lens and see what the difference in par reading. One can only speculate without doing proper testing.

That would be awesome, thanks