Lighting options

[Madreefer]

Originally Posted by d33ps3a

That fan on the radion is kind of concerning. Being on the bottom of the fixture, you are going to be sucking moisture head on. Would you not also get some salt in there also? If it was on the top it wouldn't be so bad cause you aren't facing the water. Any radio owners wanna chime in?

I dont think it'll be a problem. You wont be mounting them close to the water anyways. As to the people having problems with the AI's well they've been out alot longer so of course there will be some reviews. There will be some negative feedback from the Radions as well just as soon as people start bleaching and frying all their corals. IME I started to have a little bit of algae show up on my sandbed due to a little impatience.The biggest mistake people make is turning the intensity up too high from the start. I grow corals not sand, who cares, I got a sandsifter problem solved. If one can get their hands on a par meter or have a little patience all should go well. No need to be a couple of kids arguing over who's got the better bike. Both lights are good. The AI Sols work good for me and theres good reviews on the Radions. Buy what you can afford.

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

heres a picture of my tank right now, only 2 AI sols (still waiting for one to come in)
they are only 8 inches above the water. and running at 65% power



im sure once i get 1 more fixture in the middle and i raise them all to about 12" above water, ill get great coverage and power

Looks like really good coverage with the AI's considering it's only 2 units over six foot long tank. Makes me wonder why some say the coverage is bad with the AI's. Oh well, I guess if I paid double the price for poorer par I would look for a justification too. To each their own, either fixture will grow coral just fine.

[MarkoD]

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

Looks like really good coverage with the AI's considering it's only 2 units over six foot long tank. Makes me wonder why some say the coverage is bad with the AI's. Oh well, I guess if I paid double the price for poorer par I would look for a justification too. To each their own, either fixture will grow coral just fine.

exactly. no one is gonna spend 3 grand on 4 radions and then publicly admit they made a mistake, thats why you'll never get an honest review.


i also havent seen anyone mention that the radions have a big ass power supply thats almost bigger than the unit itself.

[unclesalty]

Originally Posted by Borderjumper

I'm REALLY impressed with the Radion!

I'm blown away by mine! the coloring, settings, programing and features that work with the powerheads! I bought mine blindly before any reviews were out but figured coming from Ecotech it would be A+ product with excellent customer service. Also glad I saved a few $$ by not buying the Vertex

[ensquire]

how do most of these fixtures get mounted?? Side by side or length ways? My tank is only 18" wide and I feel that If I mounted 2 fixtures length ways it would be enough using the Radions as long as they were a foot off the tank. I feel I would need 3 if I went side by side and would probably not need to be quite that distance up. now price wise that would be significant , I personaly like the radions better, but I'm not sure if they are that much better. having a hard time justifying the extra expense. If 2 lengthways works its 1700.00 compared to 1000.00 with controller and rails.. If it's 3 side by side that makes it about 2500.00 compared to 1300.00..
But if it's 2 radions lengthways vs 3 AI side by side it brings things closer..
Are the Radions that much better??

[d33ps3a]

Originally Posted by unclesalty

I did read that article a couple months back! The AI has better par but "spotlights" and has less coverage as seen in the pics. Lots of people on RC are also not happy with the AI's and there coloring.

That review was done with the 40 degree optics. There would probably be significantly less spotlighting if it had the 70 degree optics.

[unclesalty]

Originally Posted by d33ps3a

That review was done with the 40 degree optics. There would probably be significantly less spotlighting if it had the 70 degree optics.

I did have a brand new AI with 70 degree optics installed. Still not as good coverage as the Radion

[MarkoD]

Originally Posted by unclesalty

I did have a brand new AI with 70 degree optics installed. Still not as good coverage as the Radion

its cuz the radions have no optics

[unclesalty]

Originally Posted by MarkoD

its cuz the radions have no optics

I'l take my Radions anyday -thanks!

[Reef Pilot]

Well, I hope the Radions are good, cause I splurged today, and bought the last 3 on the shelf today at J&L's. And that was only at around 8:30 AM! They are going on my 6' tank, where I just have T5's right now.