Lighting options

[intarsiabox]

Aren't the white LEDs on both units full spectrum already? Meaning they already carry the proper light output colors of the sun. The other bulbs simulate deeper water effects and enhance colors to the viewers taste not to simulate colors as you would see them in person underwater. There are numerous LED companies out there that sell cheap add-on set ups to add different colors to suit your personal tastes regardless of what light set up one chooses.

BTW I love the Focus vs Mercedes comparison, twice the price and twice the shop time! I really hope that's not how the reliability of the radion turns out. LED reliability has already been given a bad rep by a previous "top end" manufacturer.

[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.