Switching from Radions to T5?

[dwair]

So in the midst of upgrading tanks from 90g to 180g. I currently have been running 2 Ecotech Radion G3 Pro's. I honestly haven't seen any growth. All my parameters are great.

So I'm thinking of going with a MH/T5 VHO combo instead. What do you guys think?

 

[Rob Top1]

I, as most, ran t-5/mh combo for a long time prior to LEDs. Currently I have the AI Sols and while I think they are great my plan is to use a combined approach over my 240. I have a ton of lighting options in storage and think I will build a fixture that has T-5 MH & LEDs. I have gotten good growth with my Sols but think the MH do a better job punching through the water column and since I have the T-5s figure why not.

How long have you had the Radions? What type of coral are we talking about? I feel like it took a few months for my corals to adjust to the new lights.

 

[dwair]

I, as most, ran t-5/mh combo for a long time prior to LEDs. Currently I have the AI Sols and while I think they are great my plan is to use a combined approach over my 240. I have a ton of lighting options in storage and think I will build a fixture that has T-5 MH & LEDs. I have gotten good growth with my Sols but think the MH do a better job punching through the water column and since I have the T-5s figure why not.

How long have you had the Radions? What type of coral are we talking about? I feel like it took a few months for my corals to adjust to the new lights.

3-4 months. Literally every type of coral. LPS/Softies/SPS. I did have growth on some zoa's. The only thing.

 

[J Rog]

I have had pretty decent growth with the radions. I have the G3 pros as well. I was thinking on my next tank when I'm able to upgrade to do a radion/ T5

 

[evan.lundberg4]

I'm not running Radions specifically for LEDs on my tank but I do have LED and T5 combo and it seems to work really well for me growth wise. If you have a canopy maybe you could incorporate a few T5 retro kits.

 

[Diesel]

I ran for 3.5 years the Radions from the first to last series, growth was slow, color was awesome and overall use was easy.
Went back this year to the ATI Hybrid 60" T5/LED 8 bulb combo.
That said my growth with the T5 is as expected is better than the Radions in a 5 month period.
When my tank is about two years I might switch back to the new Radions Executive Pro's.

Two top pics are the New ATI Hybrid and bottom pics Old school Radion Pro's.

 

[dwair]

Is that a 72" Tank and a 60" fixture?

 

[Diesel]

Is that a 72" Tank and a 60" fixture?

Yes it is.

72x27x24

 

[dwair]

Yes it is.

72x27x24

So you were quite happy with the change from radions?

 

[Diesel]

So you were quite happy with the change from radions?

Completely.
You just have to find the right color combination on the bulbs and you're set.
Using all ATI bulbs now but got a bunch of Giesemann bulbs in and will fool around with those in January as I'm at my 6 months any ways.