Lighting options

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by ensquire

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.

I came to the same conclusion if I only needed a couple of units. If you need to cover an 8 foot tank and can buy in bulk, the pricing is quite a bit cheaper going DIY!

[cale262]

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

... LED reliability has already been given a bad rep by a previous "top end" manufacturer.

I agree with you there, I own a few other high end LED fixtures, two of which have been a huge letdown, Pacific Sun & Reef-tech. The pacsun fixture was very nice until the blue drivers failed, then i find out the Canadian distributor dropped them and wouldnt give me any warranty assistance...Reef-tech made all kinds of promises but never came through with the software as advertised. I went with Ecotech Marine as they have a great rep for customer care, and they are local to north America, no more euro-trash electronics for me if I can help it...

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by cale262

I agree with you there, I own a few other high end LED fixtures, two of which have been a huge letdown, Pacific Sun & Reef-tech. The pacsun fixture was very nice until the blue drivers failed, then i find out the Canadian distributor dropped them and wouldnt give me any warranty assistance...Reef-tech made all kinds of promises but never came through with the software as advertised. I went with Ecotech Marine as they have a great rep for customer care, and they are local to north America, no more euro-trash electronics for me if I can help it...

I like that Eco-tech has been around for quite awhile and are not a fly by night company. I'm sure that any issues that do arise will be dealt with and not leave owners holding a pile of garbage from a defunct company.

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by ensquire

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.

I hear ya bro, it's a good thing I like to build stuff.

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

I came to the same conclusion if I only needed a couple of units. If you need to cover an 8 foot tank and can buy in bulk, the pricing is quite a bit cheaper going DIY!

I did the math on buying manufactured fixtures and there was no way in helz the wife would go for that.

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

I did the math on buying manufactured fixtures and there was no way in helz the wife would go for that.

Sounds like you use the same bank I do!

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

Sounds like you use the same bank I do!

Yep, Bank of Old Lady

[ensquire]

I spoiled my wife so bad at Xmas , I get a free pass here on lighting.
What i have decided thus far is that it definately will be LED. Just waitng for quotes to come in from 4 of the reliable vendors on here, then it's decision time.
Judging by poll results Radion is the most liked so far, so it comes down to a price choice.

[cale262]

Here's some Radion 411, also over a 4' 90gal system...he's also tested the AIs and ecoxotics...

http://www.MrSaltWaterTank.com/mr-sa...riment-update/

[ensquire]

Originally Posted by cale262

Here's some Radion 411, also over a 4' 90gal system...he's also tested the AIs and ecoxotics...

http://www.MrSaltWaterTank.com/mr-sa...riment-update/

That's the one that really started me thinking Radion, tank full of corals and 2 fixtures run lengthways.

[unclesalty]

Originally Posted by fishytime

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.....

Giessemann are getting in the game as they already have a LED fixture soon to be released