Radions or Orphek Atlantik's?

[bubbaque]

I am setting up another frag tank in my garage. I currently have one tank in my garage that uses t5's and I would love to use the same fixture on the new tank but feel I can not. With my garage door closed, hot Florida weather combined with the heat from my current t5's it gets very hot in the garage. It gets so hot some days that my current fixture starts to dim to try and cool it's self. I am wanting to avoid adding even more heat with t5's so I am going to go with leds on the new tank.

The new tank is another Low Boy frag tank. The tank is 48" x 24" x 8". The light options that I'm considering is 4 radion xr 15's or two of the Orphek Atlantik V 4's.

After watching the BRS video on the Orpheks they seem like one of the best led options available. Whats holding me back on them is I haven't heard much about them. While radions on the other hand you hear a lot about but they have been around a while now.

Thoughts on light options?

 

[Anirban]

Orphek is great as I heard mostly and has a good reputation. On the other hand radions are good too but you possibly dont need 4. Radions come with more control flexibility while Orphek I dont think is that advance.

 

[WWIII]

I like the form factor of radions better and it sure seems like a lot of the top coral growers are using them. This may have something to do with the relationship ecotech has with some in the industry? It does seem like most that use them, love them.

The Orpheks intrigue me as well because it sure looks like the spread is more even like T5s. I don't think there's near the number of users out there, as with the radions.

What's the warranty on both of the lights? Ecotech has an upgrade pathway don't they? I wonder if the diodes on the Orpheks can be replaced by the end user at home if need be? The thing is, it seems to maybe be easier to get a hold of someone with the Radions if need be, but that may just be my perception?

Sorry I'm no help as I've not actually seen either in person. Can't wait to see what you come up with! I will be doing the same sometime this year with another frag tank seperate from my display. I was thinking to go with radions and t5s honestly. I know the t5s are out in your case, but I'm leaning radions personally just from all the reading I do on the forums and what not.

 

[bubbaque]

Orphek is great as I heard mostly and has a good reputation. On the other hand radions are good too but you possibly dont need 4. Radions come with more control flexibility while Orphek I dont think is that advance.

I only went with four as that is what brs showed was best for sps growth on a 120 gallon tank. The low boy is only 50 gallons but is the same diameter as a 120, so I figured spread would be similar. One of the things that holds me back from radions is the light comes from a small puck, instead of spread out. I worry about how do the sps get light on all sides if the light is only shining from one direction.

I like the form factor of radions better and it sure seems like a lot of the top coral growers are using them. This may have something to do with the relationship ecotech has with some in the industry? It does seem like most that use them, love them.

The Orpheks intrigue me as well because it sure looks like the spread is more even like T5s. I don't think there's near the number of users out there, as with the radions.

What's the warranty on both of the lights? Ecotech has an upgrade pathway don't they? I wonder if the diodes on the Orpheks can be replaced by the end user at home if need be? The thing is, it seems to maybe be easier to get a hold of someone with the Radions if need be, but that may just be my perception?

Sorry I'm no help as I've not actually seen either in person. Can't wait to see what you come up with! I will be doing the same sometime this year with another frag tank seperate from my display. I was thinking to go with radions and t5s honestly. I know the t5s are out in your case, but I'm leaning radions personally just from all the reading I do on the forums and what not.

I believe WWC had their radions sponsored to them. If they didn't work I am sure they wouldn't use them even if they were sponsored. WWC is such a huge name and it carries a lot of weight more people are willing to buy what they use.

The Orphek spread is what I want but I'm not sure if that's enough to warrent the purchase. I hope someone chimes in who has used them for a little while now.

I've never used radions but I'd imagine it's got to be way easier to find support or parts for them if something were to happen.

 

[SneakyTortuga]

I’m gonna take a wild guess and say this is going to be a all Sps grow out.I just see si much success with radions that I would go that route. When you see all these high end stores like tsa, wwc, unique corals all switching to just radions it makes the decision on lighting easy.

I personally run a t5/led custom hybrid but if I had to do it all again I would go radions for the amount I paid. It’s a company that has a long time history in the hobby.

Have you tried a portable a/c unit in the garage? Or chiller?

 

[bubbaque]

I’m gonna take a wild guess and say this is going to be a all Sps grow out.I just see si much success with radions that I would go that route. When you see all these high end stores like tsa, wwc, unique corals all switching to just radions it makes the decision on lighting easy.

I personally run a t5/led custom hybrid but if I had to do it all again I would go radions for the amount I paid. It’s a company that has a long time history in the hobby.

Have you tried a portable a/c unit in the garage? Or chiller?

I do use a chiller and it keeps my tank temp stable. It's the temp of the fixtures being so hot in the garage I'm worried about. I could do a portable ac but since it's not insulated I feel it would just burn though electricity.

Do any of them use just radions or they all supplement with t5 to get the better spread?

 

[SneakyTortuga]

I know most supplement with a few t-5s but I have seen success with just radions. You need to be careful with shading once you do get colonies going.

Are you going to be growing on tiles or frag racks?

 

[jda]

I have seen two V4 tanks... they were pretty nice. I like that they get that UV and IR are important. Both owners switched from Kessil and Radion and mostly because they did not need to use T5s anymore to fill the shadows and gaps. Frags do not really shadow that much, though... so this is where a frag tank is not the same as a display. If you want to keep colonies as "mothers," then that might be different.

 

[bubbaque]

I know most supplement with a few t-5s but I have seen success with just radions. You need to be careful with shading once you do get colonies going.

Are you going to be growing on tiles or frag racks?

it will be tiles again.

I have seen two V4 tanks... they were pretty nice. I like that the get at UV and IR are important. Both owners switched from Kessil and Radion and mostly because they did not need to use T5s anymore to fill the shadows and gaps. Frags do not really shadow that much, though... so this is where a frag tank is not the same as a display. If you want to keep colonies as "mothers," then that might be different.

Ah see that's why I get confused on the two lights. I won't use any t5's to fill shadows is my biggest concern. This isn't really a "frag" tank but more of a tank that will have some colonies and frags and I want the frags to turn to colonies. It's basically a tank I am setting up because I have run out of room.

 

[jda]

With it only being 8", you can raise the Radions up really high and turn them up. That helps with coverage a bit, but still does not fill shadows like T5, large-reflector MH of even panel-type LED.

If you are planning on swapping stuff back and forth between your display, then I would match the lights for a no-acclimation situation.

 

[Scorpius]

I'd go with the orphek's just based on even coverage. These puck/cluster led's just don't cut it. If Kessil ever makes a panel style led light I'll sell both my kidneys for one.

 

[adtravels]

I honestly think 3 XR 15 would suffice.

 

[WWIII]

I know @Elder1945 has used the Orpheks and done some different things with them. Sure would be nice to hear from a few guys that have actually used them. When I 1st saw the brs video I was ready to rip out my t5/kessil combo and put in the Orpheks, but that idea has kinda faded.

@bubbaque I vote you get the Orpheks selfishly so I can see your review of them! Your corals are on point, would be nice to see those same corals under led only for reference! Will be following

 

[bubbaque]

I think because this is my first dive into leds I'm gonna go with the radions. If for some reason I don't have success or don't like them, I don't want to wish I went with something that was proven to work. After watching the BRS I feel the Orphek might be a better light based on their video alone but I just don't want to risk it.

Thanks for all the input!

 

[biecacka]

A guy local to me has 3 orpheks, v3 I think. He loves them and his tank is growing solid. They can grow SPS for sure.

Corey

 

[bubbaque]

I know @Elder1945 has used the Orpheks and done some different things with them. Sure would be nice to hear from a few guys that have actually used them. When I 1st saw the brs video I was ready to rip out my t5/kessil combo and put in the Orpheks, but that idea has kinda faded.

@bubbaque I vote you get the Orpheks selfishly so I can see your review of them! Your corals are on point, would be nice to see those same corals under led only for reference! Will be following

I seen elder1945 was using them but I don't think he has many sps corals yet but I could be wrong.

I've been reading and watching videos all day about both leds. I feel like my eyes are about to fall out at this point. ;Blackeye

 

[FarmerTy]

I seen elder1945 was using them but I don't think he has many sps corals yet but I could be wrong.

I've been reading and watching videos all day about both leds. I feel like my eyes are about to fall out at this point. ;Blackeye

Alright, you go Radions on the frag tank and I'll go with Orpheks. Take notes and compare in 6 months Bubba! [emoji16]

 

[bubbaque]

Alright, you go Radions on the frag tank and I'll go with Orpheks. Take notes and compare in 6 months Bubba! [emoji16]

Let’s do it, lol

 

[jda]

You can probably also sell the Radions for nearly what you paid if you want to abort... and if the v5 do not come out. ...low risk.

 

[JPK]

Hi
I have 3 gen 4 xr 30s over a similar sized frag tank (48x24x12) in my garage. They replaced t5s which were getting too hot similar to yours. They have been working great, and are much cooler. The diffusers help with hot spots/shadowing.

These were supposed to be temporary, but the build there were meant for has been on hold for a bit.

I think some of the bonuses for the radions are the preset configurations like AB+, they have a nice acclimation setting, and like others said, they have been tested by WWCs etc which can remove some of the doubt if a particular setting/spectrum is viable.
Jason