Radion or 250w radium

[RedSox81]

I’ve been thinking about making the switch from 250w MH radium to led radion on my 120 gallon sps tank. I was wondering what the difference in color and growth would be. I have t5 supplement now with mh and would also have t5 with radion.

 

[mcarroll]

Use Light Meter so you match your levels as closely as possible before and after the switch and you should see very little difference.

 

[mcarroll]

(Even a cheapie like the “LX-1010B” that I have - $10-20.)

 

[jda]

How much are you into the SPS? If you have a good amount of acropora and not just MBP&S, then you will need at least two xr30s to replace each 250W MH. The coverage is not as good as the reflectors are. Some people use 3x XR15s and some have used 3 xr30s per MH unit...it just depends, but one is probably certainly not enough. The T5s will help some. Again, this totally depends on what level of light that your current SPS tank needs. A picture or a list of corals might help.

Color and growth will be different - it is up to you to determine if this is good or bad... to each their own. It will not be the same.

 

[RedSox81]

Use Light Meter so you match your levels as closely as possible before and after the switch and you should see very little difference.

Will do. Thank you

 

[RedSox81]

How much are you into the SPS? If you have a good amount of acropora and not just MBP&S, then you will need at least two xr30s to replace each 250W MH. The coverage is not as good as the reflectors are. Some people use 3x XR15s and some have used 3 xr30s per MH unit...it just depends, but one is probably certainly not enough. The T5s will help some. Again, this totally depends on what level of light that your current SPS tank needs. A picture or a list of corals might help.

Color and growth will be different - it is up to you to determine if this is good or bad... to each their own. It will not be the same.

I am all sps. Homewrecker Walt Disney etc. so you’re saying I should run 4 radion unit to replace the mh? Would you say the color is much better with led is my main question?

 

[jda]

I am saying at least four. Four is probably enough with T5s, but some people have more. Expect no electrical savings.

The color is up to you. If you are into the black-light look, then you might like the Radion better. If you are into how the stuff looked 5 years ago and don't like the black-light, photoshopped look where white egg crate is blue/purple, then the Radiums will still be for you.

Personally, I have NEVER seen a LED lit acropora tank that I did not think would look better under 20K Radiums or 14K Phoenix, but that is just me - they are OK, just not my thing. I also think that there are a bunch of acropora that will only do well in elite tanks (not impossible or anything, but harder under LED with less margin for error). Others disagree - these are my opinions only. I like the way that stuff looks in Copps or Big Ed's tanks under the white lights that just pop like crazy - the Radions won't do this.

 

[A. grandis]

How much are you into the SPS? If you have a good amount of acropora and not just MBP&S, then you will need at least two xr30s to replace each 250W MH. The coverage is not as good as the reflectors are. Some people use 3x XR15s and some have used 3 xr30s per MH unit...it just depends, but one is probably certainly not enough. The T5s will help some. Again, this totally depends on what level of light that your current SPS tank needs. A picture or a list of corals might help.

Color and growth will be different - it is up to you to determine if this is good or bad... to each their own. It will not be the same.

I like your approach here! This is one of the most polite ways to let one decide for himself.
I would say that is also the truth, cause I've seen many talking about the differences between colors under the 2 types of light.
I would also suggest to read as much as you can about both, and see what other people brings up here with their experiences.
The more I read, the more I'm convinced that MH with the T5s would be the way I would go if I could keep SPS corals!
But that is only my opinion on the subject.
I know I would choose MH/T5 or T5 only for my zoanthids, so...
Grandis.

 

[A. grandis]

I am saying at least four. Four is probably enough with T5s, but some people have more. Expect no electrical savings.

The color is up to you. If you are into the black-light look, then you might like the Radion better. If you are into how the stuff looked 5 years ago and don't like the black-light, photoshopped look where white egg crate is blue/purple, then the Radiums will still be for you.

Personally, I have NEVER seen a LED lit acropora tank that I did not think would look better under 20K Radiums or 14K Phoenix, but that is just me - they are OK, just not my thing. I also think that there are a bunch of acropora that will only do well in elite tanks (not impossible or anything, but harder under LED with less margin for error). Others disagree - these are my opinions only. I like the way that stuff looks in Copps or Big Ed's tanks under the white lights that just pop like crazy - the Radions won't do this.

Big Ed is a nice guy from the old times!
That's what we call taste...
Agreed!
Grandis.

 

[RedSox81]

I am saying at least four. Four is probably enough with T5s, but some people have more. Expect no electrical savings.

The color is up to you. If you are into the black-light look, then you might like the Radion better. If you are into how the stuff looked 5 years ago and don't like the black-light, photoshopped look where white egg crate is blue/purple, then the Radiums will still be for you.

Personally, I have NEVER seen a LED lit acropora tank that I did not think would look better under 20K Radiums or 14K Phoenix, but that is just me - they are OK, just not my thing. I also think that there are a bunch of acropora that will only do well in elite tanks (not impossible or anything, but harder under LED with less margin for error). Others disagree - these are my opinions only. I like the way that stuff looks in Copps or Big Ed's tanks under the white lights that just pop like crazy - the Radions won't do this.

You’re convincing me to stay with mh. I was going to try 2 xr30 but now I’m thinking that might not be enough. Thanks

 

[RedSox81]

I like your approach here! This is one of the most polite ways to let one decide for himself.
I would say that is also the truth, cause I've seen many talking about the differences between colors under the 2 types of light.
I would also suggest to read as much as you can about both, and see what other people brings up here with their experiences.
The more I read, the more I'm convinced that MH with the T5s would be the way I would go if I could keep SPS corals!
But that is only my opinion on the subject.
I know I would choose MH/T5 or T5
only for my zoanthids, so...
Grandis.

I agree he has very good points but I’m still undecided. Leaning toward staying with mh. Thanks for your input.

 

[mtraylor]

I have a heavy stocked sps mixed reef with GHL Mitras LED's and I love them. The color is amazing on most of the corals and my electric bill is allot lower then when I had MH's.
Now when I say MH's. I ran 3- 400W MH SE Radium bulbs with SVHO actinic supplement. Of course I had to have a chiller, yada yada yada. That being said. I still have a few
corals in my tank that I think sometimes. What would that look like under my old setup.

IMO. You have the best setup for SPS. I wouldn't change if you are happy with your setup, electric bill, searching for bulbs, etc. etc. Since you run 250W MH's they don't produce
excessive heat, and they are moderately not that expensive to run. If you are looking for more growth and superior color. Then go with the 400Watt SE bulbs. You will need a chiller
then, but that is as good as it gets IMO.

If electrical savings is what you are looking for. Most people do not know how to measure savings. With your MH's and T5 bulbs, its pretty much cut and dry. You can do the basic
math for kwh and it will be pretty close to actual use. The bulbs are usually either on or off. With your advanced LED fixtures, they have a max wattage rating and people like to compare
bulbs to that setting on the LED fixture. That is incorrect. That max watt setting is set with all LED"s at 100% and fans running 100%. Im sure there are some people out there that run
them that way, but most people don't. You will need a KWH monitor to actually see what you are using once you dial them in. This is something that you would have to get from a fellow
reefer that has went the extra step to actually measure there wattage consumption rather than guessing. Just for example the only LED's on my setup that I run at 100% is my UV's, and
they ramp up and down as well.

I hope I have helped you a bit. If you want more color and growth. Go with the 400w MH's. YOu will not be disappointed with that. Its unbelievable. Your growth will increase and those
hard to color up sps... the stubern ones I like to call them. Will glow under the 400's and most of your corals will keep same color and just grow quicker.

 

[RedSox81]

I have a heavy stocked sps mixed reef with GHL Mitras LED's and I love them. The color is amazing on most of the corals and my electric bill is allot lower then when I had MH's.
Now when I say MH's. I ran 3- 400W MH SE Radium bulbs with SVHO actinic supplement. Of course I had to have a chiller, yada yada yada. That being said. I still have a few
corals in my tank that I think sometimes. What would that look like under my old setup.

IMO. You have the best setup for SPS. I wouldn't change if you are happy with your setup, electric bill, searching for bulbs, etc. etc. Since you run 250W MH's they don't produce
excessive heat, and they are moderately not that expensive to run. If you are looking for more growth and superior color. Then go with the 400Watt SE bulbs. You will need a chiller
then, but that is as good as it gets IMO.

If electrical savings is what you are looking for. Most people do not know how to measure savings. With your MH's and T5 bulbs, its pretty much cut and dry. You can do the basic
math for kwh and it will be pretty close to actual use. The bulbs are usually either on or off. With your advanced LED fixtures, they have a max wattage rating and people like to compare
bulbs to that setting on the LED fixture. That is incorrect. That max watt setting is set with all LED"s at 100% and fans running 100%. Im sure there are some people out there that run
them that way, but most people don't. You will need a KWH monitor to actually see what you are using once you dial them in. This is something that you would have to get from a fellow
reefer that has went the extra step to actually measure there wattage consumption rather than guessing. Just for example the only LED's on my setup that I run at 100% is my UV's, and
they ramp up and down as well.

I hope I have helped you a bit. If you want more color and growth. Go with the 400w MH's. YOu will not be disappointed with that. Its unbelievable. Your growth will increase and those
hard to color up sps... the stubern ones I like to call them. Will glow under the 400's and most of your corals will keep same color and just grow quicker.

I’m happy with my setup but I keep hear about how great radions are. Everyone with led talk about how much better the sps color is with led over mh. That is my main reason for wanting to make the switch. Thanks for the info

 

[mtraylor]

Well allot of people will tell you how great one product is over others and they have never had the "other". I have had both and they both have their advantages and disadvantages.
The sunrise/sunset and ramping of lights and change of spectrum throughout the day of my LED's is far superior of the MH setup I had. It was not possible with the setup I had.
I think Sfilgio had some type of cool ramp up/down setup but it was real expensive.

Moving to the MH's. The 400w MH's just color up some corals that no other light can. I do miss that. But the spectrum roll I do with the LED's puts colors in my corals I could not
achieve with MH. Overall they both have pros and cons. The LED's can not color up those hard sps for me. I'm always striving to find out how to get them to pop and debating on
adding another fixture. I think we all strive for what we think is the best so that will never end. Just keep that in mind.

If you really get the itch. I would keep what I had and then setup another temp tank with one of the LED fixtures you like. If you could plum your tank to it, it would be better. Frag
some sps and place in the temp tank and watch and see what you think you are missing first hand. If you do that I would be a follower. That's a tall order, but if you have the spare
equipment you could pull off, or convert your fuge to temporary sps tank if you have one. Just an idea.

 

[mtraylor]

Here a couple pictures of some of my corals under LED.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-ghl-mitras-lx7-led.287227/page-7
I have no idea what they would look like under MH now, but I bet one strawberry one I have and one red one would be better under MH.....but its just a guess. I will not go back
to MH because I like my LED's overall better due to maintenance, electric, ramp up down, heat, etc. So I have to sacrifice a few things but I gain a few things. That's the struggle.
My old forum took down all my MH pictures or I would show them as well. They are beautiful. I think the corals glowed better under MH, and they look more HD under LED's.

One more thing I want to say is. If you have good water quality. Then your corals will pop under good lighting conditions no matter which light you choose. On the flip side, you can
have the best light in the world. What ever that is. Its subjective....and if you have bad water quality then your corals will not look good.

Good luck in your decision. I think you are good with your MH.

 

[jda]

Cost is no issue to me in this hobby and I would drop 20K in Radions, Pacific Sun, whatever and cover the whole top of the tank if they were better... but they are not even close, IMO. The grass is not greener for acropora tanks. If you read and see enough high-end acropora tanks, each owner will have a hit-list of corals that suffer under their LEDs - there are not many of these types of tanks, though. If you do decide to dabble, keep your MH - about a 80-90 chance that you will want them back. If you want the black-light look, then add some reefbrites (or replace your T5s with them).

Again, I am an acro snob - no MBP&S are allowed in my tanks except for Leng Sy. No softies or LPS either. Lots of clams. This probably helps to explain my doochieness and opinions...

 

[10Seconds]

You’re convincing me to stay with mh. I was going to try 2 xr30 but now I’m thinking that might not be enough. Thanks

This is the same info that my research led me to as well. The people with the amazing tanks using Radions are using 1 per ft of tank, or like mentioned above at least 2 per MH they replaced. I decided it was not for me and whet back to MH/T5, just bought a Giesemann Spectra. It actually arrived yesterday so no review on how it looks on the tank yet but Im excited.

 

[A. grandis]

I agree he has very good points but I’m still undecided. Leaning toward staying with mh. Thanks for your input.

You didn't get it!
He said:
"Personally, I have NEVER seen a LED lit acropora tank that I did not think would look better under 20K Radiums or 14K Phoenix, but that is just me - they are OK, just not my thing. I also think that there are a bunch of acropora that will only do well in elite tanks (not impossible or anything, but harder under LED with less margin for error). Others disagree - these are my opinions only. I like the way that stuff looks in Copps or Big Ed's tanks under the white lights that just pop like crazy - the Radions won't do this."
Please stay with the halides!
Grandis.

 

[Benqb007]

I’ve been thinking about making the switch from 250w MH radium to led radion on my 120 gallon sps tank. I was wondering what the difference in color and growth would be. I have t5 supplement now with mh and would also have t5 with radion.

I have T5 with radion myself. Couldn't be happier with growth and color.

 

[A. grandis]

Here a couple pictures of some of my corals under LED.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-ghl-mitras-lx7-led.287227/page-7
I have no idea what they would look like under MH now, but I bet one strawberry one I have and one red one would be better under MH.....but its just a guess. I will not go back
to MH because I like my LED's overall better due to maintenance, electric, ramp up down, heat, etc. So I have to sacrifice a few things but I gain a few things. That's the struggle.
My old forum took down all my MH pictures or I would show them as well. They are beautiful. I think the corals glowed better under MH, and they look more HD under LED's.

One more thing I want to say is. If you have good water quality. Then your corals will pop under good lighting conditions no matter which light you choose. On the flip side, you can
have the best light in the world. What ever that is. Its subjective....and if you have bad water quality then your corals will not look good.

Good luck in your decision. I think you are good with your MH.

Could you please post some of the best pictures with the halides in the past here so we can enjoy?
Thanks,
Grandis.