Mitras LX7 vs Radion XR15

[Aquius]

This is just my opinion but here goes.

72 total LEDs - LEDs run more efficiently at lower wattage than higher. More lumens/watt.
6 pucks situated around the perimeter - maximizes the footprint of the light output. reduces shadowing.
choice of reflectors over optics - better color blending and spread than many other lights.
aluminum chasis has a sleek design and durable feel.

GHL Mitras - The bad (IMHO as it relates to me)!
Programing - The fact that i was advised to purchase a PC (I am a MAC OS and IOS user) for the initial set-up was rediculous. GHL may have rectified this by now but I'm not the one to ask.
Not an ideal chip set - I would like to see a more blue dominant chip set but I have to remember that the Europeans like the white light. Radions seem to excite SPS colors more than any other light.
User interface - Although GHL has recently improved this, Ecotech still seems a step ahead with Ecosmart live.

I chose Ecotech Radion simply because I will sacrafice just about anything for the best possible coral coloration. IMHO, nothing compares at the moment.

My primary goal is coral health, so your comment about spectrum is the only thing holding me back on pulling the trigger on the LX7. Granted, you can get this by over driving the blue channel, but this seems like putting a bandaid on the design issue (for those of us in the US, anyway).

Then again, the Mitras really is an AWESOME rig. So is the Radion. I guess I will just see where the prices are on Friday.

Whichever is cheaper wins

 

[hart24601]

Will plug the orphek again since talking about spectrum... Ok I'll stop now. Lol

 

[Aquius]

Will plug the orphek again since talking about spectrum... Ok I'll stop now. Lol

Well, I looked at the Orphek and have not totally discounted it, but there is something about them that just does not speak to me. I cannot really explain it...

 

[gcarroll]

Now I'll make it harder. Just to keep the dialog going.

The SCA 150 has a center overflow. With the radions, you could easily get over with 5 - xr15. 3 - across the front and 2 in the back on either side of the overflow.
Or some might even choose 4 - in a single row. Then you could always add more if you see fit. (this is the cheapest option and I have seen 60" x 24" x 24" tanks choosing this combination).

Another choice is adding 3-4 Radions to something like the Giesemann Stellar (just trying to broaden your horizons)
https://www.coralvue.com/giesemann-stellar-t5-hybrid-led-retro-fixture

 

[hart24601]

If you don't like the looks then you don't like the looks! A pair of them would be great over 60" and less expensive with huge spectrum but ya gotta get what you like!

 

[Aquius]

Now I'll make it harder. Just to keep the dialog going.

The SCA 150 has a center overflow. With the radions, you could easily get over with 5 - xr15. 3 - across the front and 2 in the back on either side of the overflow.
Or some might even choose 4 - in a single row. Then you could always add more if you see fit. (this is the cheapest option and I have seen 60" x 24" x 24" tanks choosing this combination).

Another choice is adding 3-4 Radions to something like the Giesemann Stellar (just trying to broaden your horizons)
https://www.coralvue.com/giesemann-stellar-t5-hybrid-led-retro-fixture

Actually, my 150 does not have the center overflow. I am using a ghost style overflow from Modular Marine. Even still, using 6 XR15's right off the bat is probably a bit much until the tank starts getting stocked. I am probably just going to use it as a FOWLR tank for the first few months while the rock settles in.

BUT, Black Friday is coming. Deals are to be had

 

[Ditto]

Well, I probably should have mentioned that I have a new Profilux 4 mega set coming in for the new build...

If you have the P4 have you thought about the Lightbars then?

 

[Aquius]

If you have the P4 have you thought about the Lightbars then?

Not really. They are a fixed spectrum, so for now, I don't really see the point. I might consider it later on though...

 

[Whipples]

The light bars are great to supplement T5. You could also do the aquatic life T5 hybrid with two mitras for shimmer and coverage. I plan to eventually migrate to that setup

 

[Aquius]

The light bars are great to supplement T5. You could also do the aquatic life T5 hybrid with two mitras for shimmer and coverage. I plan to eventually migrate to that setup

On my nano, I am actually running a 24" ATI Powermodule. I really like the hybrid setup and will probably end up there at some point.

Right now, I view the light bars as more of a supplement to T5's. What I would like to do is go with fully controllable LED's and possibly supplement with T5's to help with shading.

I hope that made sense...

 

[Ditto]

Not really. They are a fixed spectrum, so for now, I don't really see the point. I might consider it later on though...

Sorry maybe should been more specific I meant to say the Mitras Light Bar 2 https://www.aquariumcomputer.com/products/ghl-illumination/mitras-lightbar-2/

I use to have the Atlantik slim line light bars which were good but the leds kept going out on them so I was concerned that the V4 lights would have the same issue.

So when I decided to upgrade I wanted something that had the coverage like a t5 bulb that was consistent throughout the tank and went end to end. With 2 Deep Antic and 1 Antic installed my par is 125-150 at the sand and between 350-375 at the top of the tank at 80% power using 3 light bars.

And as for configuration they are configured with illumination channels just like the Mitras , you have full spectrum control can also be over driven. Your correct depending on which ones you buy you may be limited on certain spectrum, but the beauty is just like a T5 bulb you can choose that overall spectrum you want if the light is on all 100% and then adjust all around it.

I saw the Mitras light bars 2 as a Mitras without the LED panel and controller attached to it.

 

[Aquius]

Sorry maybe should been more specific I meant to say the Mitras Light Bar 2 https://www.aquariumcomputer.com/products/ghl-illumination/mitras-lightbar-2/

I use to have the Atlantik slim line light bars which were good but the leds kept going out on them so I was concerned that the V4 lights would have the same issue.

So when I decided to upgrade I wanted something that had the coverage like a t5 bulb that was consistent throughout the tank and went end to end. With 2 Deep Antic and 1 Antic installed my par is 125-150 at the sand and between 350-375 at the top of the tank at 80% power using 3 light bars.

And as for configuration they are configured with illumination channels just like the Mitras , you have full spectrum control can also be over driven. Your correct depending on which ones you buy you may be limited on certain spectrum, but the beauty is just like a T5 bulb you can choose that overall spectrum you want if the light is on all 100% and then adjust all around it.

I saw the Mitras light bars 2 as a Mitras without the LED panel and controller attached to it.

How do you like the light dispersion compared to T5's? Shadowing?

 

[Ditto]

Love the light dispersion, and I would say comparable to the T5 as the LED is end to end with no shadowing. @Lasse and @Tristren are also running them and can comment on if they have any shadowing also and what they think of the dispersion.

 

[Aquius]

Hmmm... One of the reasons I was probably going to (ultimately) add T5's is to add better better light dispersion. If this is a comparable option, I am more than willing to consider it after I get the tank up and running.

And just great. Another rabbit hole for me to dive into ;Woot

 

[Reefiness]

I have ecotech and love them.
I have a ghl doser but the programming on it is a nightmare. If programming the lights is anything like the doser, id want nothing to do with it.

The ecosmart live UI is super nice in comparison and very refined.

T5 supplememt is definitely something i would say is more required vs recommended for leds on an sps dominant tank

 

[Swoody]

@Brew12 needs to chime in here. He has 3 mitras on his 187 and it's beautiful!

My 5th one just arrived a couple days ago for my 7ft long 255g tank. I figure if I upgrade tank size when we move at some point, I am still covered lighting wise unless I go really big. I love these lights...as Bubba pointed out they are engineered and built really nicely. My tank is pretty young and I have not gotten to a point where I am over driving channels yet but as my SPS numbers grow and they continue to grow in size, I am going to have to find a new lighting program/scheme that I feel suites my tank and corals.

 

[Swoody]

I have ecotech and love them.
I have a ghl doser but the programming on it is a nightmare. If programming the lights is anything like the doser, id want nothing to do with it.

The ecosmart live UI is super nice in comparison and very refined.

T5 supplememt is definitely something i would say is more required vs recommended for leds on an sps dominant tank

Man, I found that programming the Doser 2.1 was the easiest part of the entire Profilux 4 mega..."experience" But everything works well together and I am satisfied with my purchase...pricing and all...it has been a year with the exception of light fixture additions.

 

[Lasse]

Love the light dispersion, and I would say comparable to the T5 as the LED is end to end with no shadowing. @Lasse and @Tristren are also running them and can comment on if they have any shadowing also and what they think of the dispersion.

Have the same experiences and together with a P4 you can control all channels. You can also chose different setups from the beginning like deep actinic, actinic, ocean blue and a freshwater variant. De differences is the whites - deep actinic only have 8000 K white, actinic have 8000 + 6500 K white and ocean blue add 4500 K white too - and lesser blue. See here The RGB option in this fixture is very good IMO.

With the LX7200 - you will have a lot of opportunities to set your light in the heavy blue if you want. Because the single LED normal work at lower currents than max - you can always overdrive the channels you want. I think it is possible to run each channel at 140 % overdrive if there is other channels nor running at max. You can get as blue you want and have the amount of photons coming out nearly the same.

The spectra below (LX 7200 - all channels running) is not bad IMO. I love the green and red diods - but that´s me

Sincerely Lasse

 

[wangspeed]

I run 5 Mitra LX7 over my 7’ 220 gallon tank as the only lighting. I’m very pleased with the hardware and light quality. Everything is growing really well, especially given how young my tank is.

Like everyone else though, I feel like the software is straight out of 2000. .net only. Really?! If you aren’t prepared to fiddle with finicky software then don’t get GHL Mitras, but for me it is worth it. I only login to the lights once every blue moon.

 

[gcarroll]

Actually, my 150 does not have the center overflow. I am using a ghost style overflow from Modular Marine. Even still, using 6 XR15's right off the bat is probably a bit much until the tank starts getting stocked. I am probably just going to use it as a FOWLR tank for the first few months while the rock settles in.

BUT, Black Friday is coming. Deals are to be had

Well Friday is here and interesting enough, the XR15 is on sale.