Radion vs. AI Sol

[Oilers]

So that I am clear. For Radion, you don't need to buy a separate controller but for Sol you do. Am I correct?
My tank is 5x2x2. Somebody already told me that I would need 3 Sols to cover my tank. Does that mean I need 3 Radions as well if I choose Radion or would 2 be sufficient?

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by Oilers

So that I am clear. For Radion, you don't need to buy a separate controller but for Sol you do. Am I correct?
My tank is 5x2x2. Somebody already told me that I would need 3 Sols to cover my tank. Does that mean I need 3 Radions as well if I choose Radion or would 2 be sufficient?

Radions have controller built in, sols do not and require the purchase of one or they work will most aquarium controllers. You would need at least 2 Radions for the tank, 2 would be about the same as 3 sols.

[Aquattro]

What I would like is to hear from people running the AI, utilizing 1 unit per 2sq ft, and whether they feel it's enough, or not. Since PAR is apparently far greater on these than the Radion, then raising them higher allows for great spread, while maintaining decent PAR. Right?

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

What I would like is to hear from people running the AI, utilizing 1 unit per 2sq ft, and whether they feel it's enough, or not. Since PAR is apparently far greater on these than the Radion, then raising them higher allows for great spread, while maintaining decent PAR. Right?

The way I look at it is this, Radions basically don't use optics while sols do hence the reason why radions get better spread but less par. In terms of power they are pretty close:

Radions:
24W Blue
30W R-Blue
40W White

Sol Blue:
24W Blue
24W R-Blue
24W White

The major difference is the Radion has more white but, while this will come down to personal preference, most run LEDs at about a 2 blue/rb to 1 white ratio. So the extra white on the Radions are not really much of an advantage.

So that said in a real life example the two are pretty much matched in power and in theory lifting the sols higher should produce similar spread and par as the Radion, especially if all the optics are switched to 70 degrees.

[Aquattro]

Which brings us back to the big question. How many does one need to cover a 18" x 60" area?(which is roughly my rock area)

[MarkoD]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Which brings us back to the big question. How many does one need to cover a 18" x 60" area?(which is roughly my rock area)

Thats exactly the area I'm covering with 3 sols 12" above water

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

Thats exactly the area I'm covering with 3 sols 12" above water

What have you got for coral? Mine is heavily stocked SPS which really love the light. After 6 months with the 400w radiums, some will start to brown out.
I'm not sure 3 of these will replace what I have now.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Which brings us back to the big question. How many does one need to cover a 18" x 60" area?(which is roughly my rock area)

Well assuming you run them lengthwise and set them high enough to cover the 18" width then you could assume they would cover at least 24" lengthwise being that they are 6" longer than wide. So 3 is what I would start with but I'd use the 70/70 versions.