Radion vs. AI Sol

[tim the toolman]

I'm pretty sure that you can order the SOL system with altered angels on some of the LEDs which will help increase the coverage. There is a link online somewhere that I will post of a company that ran 3 different brands of LEDs together and ran comparisons. The sol was the clear winner in almost every category, but especially in the price category. They also include some neat built in features like thunderstorm modes and full upgradeability as new options become available. I will definitely be going sol when I upgrade.

PS I just helped my buddy set up a 5 module sol system on his 250 this week and he is loving both the coverage and the programability. I think it has something like 16 different timers available that run into one another so you can really control the intensities and variances.

[Borderjumper]

I have two Radions over my 48" tank and love them I've never seen a SOL, so I can't compare them or really comment.

I have been thinking of going LED over my 16" cube tank.. I'm actually considering one SOL as I think a radion is overkill for that small of a tank.

Looking at Ocean Aquatics webpage, it looks like the SOL comes in two color choices.. The white which is 12-14K and the blue which is 20k.. What are people using? And am I correct that the K color can not be adjusted to suite your eye?
How about intensity? Can that be adjusted?

[jorjef]

I'm using two super blue. I can adjust individually the intensity of all three White, royal blue and regular blue which gives quite a wide range visually to choice from.

[MarkoD]

Originally Posted by Borderjumper

I have two Radions over my 48" tank and love them I've never seen a SOL, so I can't compare them or really comment.

I have been thinking of going LED over my 16" cube tank.. I'm actually considering one SOL as I think a radion is overkill for that small of a tank.

Looking at Ocean Aquatics webpage, it looks like the SOL comes in two color choices.. The white which is 12-14K and the blue which is 20k.. What are people using? And am I correct that the K color can not be adjusted to suite your eye?
How about intensity? Can that be adjusted?

with the 80 dollar ai controller or third party controller you can adjust intensity of each of the 3 colors to adjust the color

[Borderjumper]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

with the 80 dollar ai controller or third party controller you can adjust intensity of each of the 3 colors to adjust the color

Are you using the Blue?

[Aquattro]

Shelley, from what I read, the AI comes in the SOL white and super blue. The difference is that each has a different range of color. I believe the other features are all the same.
For me, I would be using my Apex to run them, so whatever that does, is good, I suppose

My concern tho, is on my tank, I figure I've got a rectangular area containing corals about 18" x 60"ish. Are three of either good enough for this area, with some corals being 24" deep.
Some site I read compared the AI to a 400w MH, but AI's site doesn't mention that anywhere I can see.

[Raf]

Set up both brands up for many clients and like both BUT. given the price difference my preferance would be for the AI. Although the Radion does have more features and tech advantages(like wireless communication vs messy wires between fixtures), has better spread(although not better depth) and replicates the full color spectrum more adequetly. Also, not sure if the AI's come in black, but the white on silver is not my first choice for a light fixture...

Some up sides to the AI is that its fan is located near the top of the unit rather than the bottom....for those without a glass top, the salt will eventually find its way into that Radion fan. Also the ability to add legs and not just be limited to hanging kits as with the Radion.

[Aquattro]

Yes, they come in black now. Which was the flip over for me to consider them. Gotta be color coordinated

[Bblinks]

I have owned several different leds fixtures including a pacific sun unit. I am strong beliver on leds as I believe they are the future of reef keeping. I am currently running AI sol units on my sps dominate tank with great success. All the sps has displayed tremdously amount of growth and coloration due to a higher par reading that AI has compare to most other units or fixtures. I am running them on an identical schedule compare to my 250w metal halides with the exception of ramping up and down during sunrise and sunset. Its like I am running 400W MH(the 400 was used on the my tank prior to 250s)without any of the excess heat and electricity cost. It's like I got the best of both worlds. If I was asked to rate the performance of one AI, I would tell you that 1 AI sol unit has the intensity equal to a 400W MH with the coverage 12"X24" area, and if you are looking to grow sps coral with good coloration that won't break the bank, my friends this is the light for you.

Going through this thread, it was almost humorous to hear some of the arguments people are making. You need 2 AIs to 1 radions for coverage. I for one can tell you that's bull$***. Comparing par rating one would almost think you will need 2 radion to 1 AI instead. Don;'t get me wrong, I do like the radion's added benefits with wireless control being on the top of the list, but the radion is designed to replicate radium 250 metal halides bulbs which would make it less intense and the only reason it has better coverage is because it doesn't use any lens which makes them a 120 degrees spread compare to 70 degrees on the AIs.

Bottom line for me will always be as long as the fixture can grow sps coral that's all it matters to me! I have seen many sps tanks using AI's with great success(search reef central for more reference) which reinforced my decision on the purchase, plus not to mention all the saving I got which I can use towards other stuff for the tank.

Talk is cheap so if anyone wants to argue please show me some pictures of your tank with radion running before you start. A picture speaks a thousand words.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Bblinks

Bottom line for me will always be as long as the fixture can grow sps coral that's all it matters to me!

That pretty much sums up my requirements. I'm going to try three on my 180 and see what the acros think