Everyone’s favorite lights

[Tuan’s Reef]

Ecotech Radions here....coming from AI Primes HD. Slapped some diffusers on my XR30 and called it a day. I had previously getting a lot of the disco ball effect and lots of shadowing. Not so with the Radions and the diffusers on. Bought my Radions Gen 4 used as well. But I can say the Ai primes has zero problems growing corals if any type . Both is powerful.

Expensive yes , worth it? Yes!

 

[James Emory Verified Sponsor]

Post some pics after you get your new lights up and running

Here is a photo of a tank just running the blue plus LED lights. Thought it may help your decision making.

 

[Tom Blevins]

I had Hydra 26hd's and thought things looked great but now I have Reef Breeder Photons and cannot be happier!

 

[Zach W]

Hello,

I’m so gonna get a rash of abuse for this one, but has down the current orbit marine pro model 4117. They are truly amazing, not super cheap but will stay w the radions and they have a much better spectrum.

I’m not trying to be confrontational but I just don’t understand this premise as I’ve stated before. The fixture you are referencing is 2 72” fixtures that have a combined power output of 200W. A single Radion XR30 G4 pro puts out 190W and isn’t nearly 72” long.. Also what do you mean by much better spectrum?

 

[Fourstars]

Here is a photo of a tank just running the blue plus LED lights. Thought it may help your decision making.

I’m thinking of getting a couple of these light bars for my tank but can’t seem to find anyone selling them in the states?

 

[Richard savage]

Happy with my hydra 26

Would you mind sharing your settings you run with these and the depth of your aquarium ? Recently put a hydra 26 on my bio cube 32 and cant seem to find a good setting, every one I talk to runs radions and have no idea what to run on the hydras

 

[Mtnbikedan01]

Christmas lights!

White or multi colored, LED or old style C7 base?

 

[A-Reef]

I dont see the benefit on using t5s, these bulbs have to be changed every 6 to 12 months, dont provide enough intensity, it is not controllable plus can cause stray voltage in your aquarium when the light fixture is close enough to the water. I started with two 36 inch HO T5 fixtures seating on top of my glass canopy (about 6 inch above the water level) and could get readings around 20 volts in my tank.That problem disappeared when i switched to LED.
Changing 4 36 inch fluorescent bulbs once a year at a cost around $20 each adds to $500 in 5 years. Im sure you can buy a decent light fixture with that money. Maybe not the top brands but there are so many now that im sure you can get some LED fixture that will make your corals pop and grow.

 

[Admann]

A few months ago I had everything for sale here on R2R. I have been blessed and I am going to get to stay in the hobby. Problem is 2 of the four XR 15s I had, sold.
Had a brainstorm or light drizzle. I thought I would use my AL 48" T5 with a A360WE flanked by my 2 remaining XR15s with diffusers. I hope to get T5 light fill with LED power and hopefully some MH shimmer from the Kessil. I would just use a MH but heat is a strong factor.
I'm serious about this and was wondering if you folks thought this would achieve the desired effect and would it be enough PAR for acropora only?
Now I just need to figure out how to get an A360WE.

 

[Sarah24!]

I’m not trying to be confrontational but I just don’t understand this premise as I’ve stated before. The fixture you are referencing is 2 72” fixtures that have a combined power output of 200W. A single Radion XR30 G4 pro puts out 190W and isn’t nearly 72” long.. Also what do you mean by much better spectrum?

That’s because your not look at the correct lights . Each one of my lights has a 200 watt power supply. I know this because I can physically look at it. In addition I have a higher par reading from these than nay of the radions do. My tank is 34 inches tall, plus my lights have a 60 degree lens. They have a better overall spectrum and better blue spectrum. I have more blue wave lengths in my currents then you do in your g4 pro. Also keep in my mind what one finds Colorful another may not as to why so many lights exist. These lights are the same price as radions (well were). Since being discontinued, yes prices have dropped but even now a 36 inch one is still over 500.

Yes they are 72 inches long which means they have more spread and less shading. Finding the critical angel is also important as to how to place any light. But with this I can prevent shading. Yes they only have a 60 degree lens so wide tanks like mine 24 inches or more, need 2 of them. In a side by side tank, that have the exact same rock scape and coral, the currents did much better and corals responded better. Yes I used them as a beta tester in a controlled environment. But even now, it still has more blue wavelength than the radions do.

Edit sheepishly ahh I did dumb finger the model number I have the 4117.

 

[Zach W]

That’s because your not look at the correct lights . Each one of my lights has a 200 watt power supply. I know this because I can physically look at it. In addition I have a higher par reading from these than nay of the radions do. My tank is 34 inches tall, plus my lights have a 60 degree lens. They have a better overall spectrum and better blue spectrum. I have more blue wave lengths in my currents then you do in your g4 pro. Also keep in my mind what one finds Colorful another may not as to why so many lights exist. These lights are the same price as radions (well were). Since being discontinued, yes prices have dropped but even now a 36 inch one is still over 500.

Yes they are 72 inches long which means they have more spread and less shading. Finding the critical angel is also important as to how to place any light. But with this I can prevent shading. Yes they only have a 60 degree lens so wide tanks like mine 24 inches or more, need 2 of them. In a side by side tank, that have the exact same rock scape and coral, the currents did much better and corals responded better. Yes I used them as a beta tester in a controlled environment. But even now, it still has more blue wavelength than the radions do.

Edit sheepishly ahh I did dumb finger the model number I have the 4117.

We are just going to have to agree to disagree on this one. If you look at their website it states that the 4117 has 200W of power over 2 72” fixtures. The single fixtures are 4114 and rated at 100W.

 

[stanleo]

I love my Red Sea Reef LED 90s. I feel like I can put anything in the tank with this light. I have done T5s and a different kind of LED and nothing has beat these things. The corals look great under them AND it was super easy to set up.

 

[King Turkey]

red see reef 90 its great and easy

 

[jace]

Hybrid T5 and LEDs are my preference. Specifically ap700 dialed to 70% with blue+ & purple+

 

[Sarah24!]

We are just going to have to agree to disagree on this one. If you look at their website it states that the 4117 has 200W of power over 2 72” fixtures. The single fixtures are 4114 and rated at 100W.

So does this mean my lights are more efficient than the oh mighty godly radions oh say it ain’t so. It’s funny you mention that. You have how many watts going to run your fan, at low and high speeds? How many watts to run the WiFi module, how many watts to be able to link with reef link etc. yet you and I absolutely both know for fact, leds power consumption means nothing. A leds main power comes from the lens. Which in short your using less leds, more maybe 10 watts more, which means the currents are just simply more effective and efficient. When you say we just have to agree to disagree, umm no, I can speak for myself. If you really think this, then break it down with actual facts.

oh and umm not everything you read is actually true. It’s a catch all, which is why they say specs may change.

 

[Zach W]

So does this mean my lights are more efficient than the oh mighty godly radions oh say it ain’t so. It’s funny you mention that. You have how many watts going to run your fan, at low and high speeds? How many watts to run the WiFi module, how many watts to be able to link with reef link etc. yet you and I absolutely both know for fact, leds power consumption means nothing. A leds main power comes from the lens. Which in short your using less leds, more maybe 10 watts more, which means the currents are just simply more effective and efficient. When you say we just have to agree to disagree, umm no, I can speak for myself. If you really think this, then break it down with actual facts.

oh and umm not everything you read is actually true. It’s a catch all, which is why they say specs may change.

It’s really not that complicated, you are a biologist and I am a chemist, we both understand science. You have two 6’ long light fixtures running at 100W a piece. A single Radion XR30 G4 pro is 190W. Yes it has to run a fan, but a typical case fan runs at 1.8W and a WiFi module would be less than that, that argument doesn’t hold water. Also the 190W is in a 12”x7” fixture, you have 100W in a 6’ fixture. You get better coverage because your light is 6’ long! Obviously one Radion on a 6’ tank wouldn’t work and that’s not what it is designed for, but it’s just a fact that radions put out way more power, ie light intensity, then current USA lights. I don’t understand how this is even a debate.

 

[abbypoodle]

4 x 80 watt Coral Plus ATI T5HO +
4 x Kessil 360x

61" X18 T5 HO Non-Dimmable 4-Lamp Hybrid Mounting System Fixture - Aquatic Life

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

 

[Sarah24!]

It’s really not that complicated, you are a biologist and I am a chemist, we both understand science. You have two 6’ long light fixtures running at 100W a piece. A single Radion XR30 G4 pro is 190W. Yes it has to run a fan, but a typical case fan runs at 1.8W and a WiFi module would be less than that, that argument doesn’t hold water. Also the 190W is in a 12”x7” fixture, you have 100W in a 6’ fixture. You get better coverage because your light is 6’ long! Obviously one Radion on a 6’ tank wouldn’t work and that’s not what it is designed for, but it’s just a fact that radions put out way more power, ie light intensity, then current USA lights. I don’t understand how this is even a debate.

Yes I have a degree in biology, micro biology, and I have graduated medical school. It’s a fun debate, it will make you work even harder because my tank is much deeper than yours as well. (From what I have read). If your so into science than you should be able to apply scientific facts not speculation. Which means we both can do math so I guess it’s all about the math now. Now I tried to find more examples, some don’t list the wattage but this one does. It takes 22 watts, but this shows even electric fans consume wattage. So Ecotech actually use cofan as their cooling fans. I choose on higher and it still takes 16 watts.

 

[K-pow]

Here is a photo of a tank just running the blue plus LED lights. Thought it may help your decision making.

Wow that looks great

 

[TheOne]

I honestly don't care if the light uses 1 watt or 1000. What I do care is that when I measure it with my apogee meter that I get even coverage with no hot spots. My base line is 500 par at 1 inch below the water 300-350 par at 12 inches below the water and 150-200 par at 24 inches below the water. I'm able to grow acropora successfully at those levels.