40 Breeder Led lighting

GoVols1983 · 03/07/2013, 12:27 PM

I need help deciding between Ai Vegas or Radions for my 40B. The tank is still relatively new and only has a few corals, but I plan to make it a mixed tank with mostly LPS and some SPS. I was going to go the DIY route, but decided to leave it open topped. The wife(or me for that matter) will not go for a mess of wires hanging from the ceiling over the tank. I like that both have close to full spectrum lighting for my viewing pleasure and enough power to grow anything. I 'm wondering whether or not I can get away with one Radion or Radion Pro? I know I will need two Vegas as they don't have quite the spread. I would love to here from people with experience with both.

matty0206 · 03/07/2013, 12:34 PM

Might consider the 27" Maxspect Razor also. I love mine on my 40 breeder. Looks very nice even when hung over tank.

GoVols1983 · 03/07/2013, 03:06 PM

It looks cool, but I definitely want something modular, and upgradable.

GoVols1983 · 03/07/2013, 08:26 PM

I have decided on the Radion as I like the fact that it will communicate with my Vortech and I think I can get by with one. Now to decide if it is worth getting the pro. Any thoughts?

rtparty · 03/07/2013, 09:47 PM

One radion isn't going to cover a 36" tank.

Tennsquire · 03/07/2013, 10:36 PM

I don't have any knowledge to contribute (I still use halides and VHO actinics), but just wanted to say "Go VOLS!"

GoVols1983 · 03/08/2013, 07:58 AM

Well, my logic is that since I have no corals at within 3 inches of either side I sould have decent coverage if I hang the fixture 12" off the wate, but if it really isn't going to work I may go with 2 vegas. Anyone else want to chime in? Also, Go Vols!

matty0206 · 03/08/2013, 09:20 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jEXoAwATRw

It is possible to run just the 1 radion but I would make sure it at least has the TIR lenses. The pro would probably be best but that's a ton of money. When I was looking at all the options for my 40 breeder, the cost of multiple units was my deciding factor for getting the Maxspect, that and the fact I don't care about lightning.

GoVols1983 · 03/08/2013, 10:35 AM

Do you have any pics of your tank?

matty0206 · 03/08/2013, 10:51 AM

Here are a couple. The light was at 30% on the white channel and 50% on the blue with the fixture hung at 10" above the water.

GoVols1983 · 03/08/2013, 11:01 AM

Did you get a disco effect by using the tank mounts or did you just prefer the look of hanging it?

matty0206 · 03/08/2013, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoVols1983

Did you get a disco effect by using the tank mounts or did you just prefer the look of hanging it?

Honestly no disco affect at all. I hung mine to get it higher for better spread and ease of maintenance. The tank mounts look ok and work well just not high enough off the tank for my liking. I also had my old fixture hung above the tank so the holes were already there.

GoVols1983 · 03/08/2013, 11:17 AM

It looks nice. I may go this route, just have to see if they have it on Amazon (I have a $400 gift card).

GoVols1983 · 03/08/2013, 11:31 AM

And of course they only have a 10k. Sheesh. They have the Radion and Pro as well as the Vega. I seems like 2 Vegas my be my most complete option or one Radion.

Vegas + control and rails - Gift card = 769.99
Radion Pro + hanging kit = 549.99
Radion Gen 2 + hanging kit = 249.99 or $950 for 2

JP Reef · 03/08/2013, 11:37 AM

Have you looked at other LED's. I have Vega's on my 125g reef, but I am getting a Reef Breeders 32" photon for a 65g I am setting up to try. Good price, and the people that have them seem to like them.

GoVols1983 · 03/08/2013, 11:43 AM

I have an aversion to the Chinese stuff, however I would be interested in their Supernova as it uses Cree Led's. It doesn't say when it comes out though.

JP Reef · 03/08/2013, 11:45 AM

you don't think LED's are made in China? Even Cree has a factory in China

GoVols1983 · 03/08/2013, 11:50 AM

I know they are, but I prefer the Osram, Cree, and Luxeons to the Bridgelux. Also the aesthetics are much nicer on the name brand fixtures. Again, the Supernova @ $499 with the higher end LED's would make me push aside the aesthetics.

GoVols1983 · 03/08/2013, 01:40 PM

After all that I have decided to stick with my current light (Innovative Marine Skkye) for a few months to see what else comes out. I used the gift card fork an Apex lite with the wxm module to control the vortechs, lights, heater and pumps.

matty0206 · 03/08/2013, 02:11 PM

Very nice! I hear the Apex controllers are awesome!

GoVols1983 · 03/08/2013, 02:25 PM

I 'm excited. I just didn't want to make a rush decision on the lighting, and I knew I wanted the Apex. So, the can wait, just not too long. Anyone want to buy my innovative skkye 92 watt fixture?

03/07/2013, 12:27 PM	#1
GoVols1983 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Signal Mountain, TN Posts: 57	40 Breeder Led lighting I need help deciding between Ai Vegas or Radions for my 40B. The tank is still relatively new and only has a few corals, but I plan to make it a mixed tank with mostly LPS and some SPS. I was going to go the DIY route, but decided to leave it open topped. The wife(or me for that matter) will not go for a mess of wires hanging from the ceiling over the tank. I like that both have close to full spectrum lighting for my viewing pleasure and enough power to grow anything. I 'm wondering whether or not I can get away with one Radion or Radion Pro? I know I will need two Vegas as they don't have quite the spread. I would love to here from people with experience with both.

03/07/2013, 09:47 PM	#5
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	One radion isn't going to cover a 36" tank. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

03/07/2013, 10:36 PM	#6
Tennsquire Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,399	I don't have any knowledge to contribute (I still use halides and VHO actinics), but just wanted to say "Go VOLS!" __________________ Nothin' left to do but smile, smile, smile.... Current Tank Info: 75 reef (2x 250 ReefOptix IIIs, AB 10k bulbs w/ 330 watt VHO, EuroReef RC135 skimmer, multicontrolled Tunze 6095's X2); 40 sps prop tank (Outer Orbit Pro 150, Euroreef CS6-1+ skimmer); 20 softie prop tank

03/07/2013, 12:34 PM	#2
matty0206 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vancouver Wa. Posts: 578	Might consider the 27" Maxspect Razor also. I love mine on my 40 breeder. Looks very nice even when hung over tank.

03/07/2013, 03:06 PM	#3
GoVols1983 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Signal Mountain, TN Posts: 57	It looks cool, but I definitely want something modular, and upgradable.

03/07/2013, 08:26 PM	#4
GoVols1983 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Signal Mountain, TN Posts: 57	I have decided on the Radion as I like the fact that it will communicate with my Vortech and I think I can get by with one. Now to decide if it is worth getting the pro. Any thoughts?

03/08/2013, 07:58 AM	#7
GoVols1983 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Signal Mountain, TN Posts: 57	Well, my logic is that since I have no corals at within 3 inches of either side I sould have decent coverage if I hang the fixture 12" off the wate, but if it really isn't going to work I may go with 2 vegas. Anyone else want to chime in? Also, Go Vols!

03/08/2013, 09:20 AM	#8
matty0206 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vancouver Wa. Posts: 578	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jEXoAwATRw It is possible to run just the 1 radion but I would make sure it at least has the TIR lenses. The pro would probably be best but that's a ton of money. When I was looking at all the options for my 40 breeder, the cost of multiple units was my deciding factor for getting the Maxspect, that and the fact I don't care about lightning.

03/08/2013, 10:35 AM	#9
GoVols1983 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Signal Mountain, TN Posts: 57	Do you have any pics of your tank?

03/08/2013, 10:51 AM	#10
matty0206 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vancouver Wa. Posts: 578	Here are a couple. The light was at 30% on the white channel and 50% on the blue with the fixture hung at 10" above the water.

03/08/2013, 11:01 AM	#11
GoVols1983 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Signal Mountain, TN Posts: 57	Did you get a disco effect by using the tank mounts or did you just prefer the look of hanging it?

03/08/2013, 11:17 AM	#13
GoVols1983 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Signal Mountain, TN Posts: 57	It looks nice. I may go this route, just have to see if they have it on Amazon (I have a $400 gift card).

03/08/2013, 11:31 AM	#14
GoVols1983 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Signal Mountain, TN Posts: 57	And of course they only have a 10k. Sheesh. They have the Radion and Pro as well as the Vega. I seems like 2 Vegas my be my most complete option or one Radion. Vegas + control and rails - Gift card = 769.99 Radion Pro + hanging kit = 549.99 Radion Gen 2 + hanging kit = 249.99 or $950 for 2

03/08/2013, 11:37 AM	#15
JP Reef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Greensburg, PA Posts: 207	Have you looked at other LED's. I have Vega's on my 125g reef, but I am getting a Reef Breeders 32" photon for a 65g I am setting up to try. Good price, and the people that have them seem to like them.

03/08/2013, 11:43 AM	#16
GoVols1983 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Signal Mountain, TN Posts: 57	I have an aversion to the Chinese stuff, however I would be interested in their Supernova as it uses Cree Led's. It doesn't say when it comes out though.

03/08/2013, 11:45 AM	#17
JP Reef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Greensburg, PA Posts: 207	you don't think LED's are made in China? Even Cree has a factory in China

03/08/2013, 11:50 AM	#18
GoVols1983 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Signal Mountain, TN Posts: 57	I know they are, but I prefer the Osram, Cree, and Luxeons to the Bridgelux. Also the aesthetics are much nicer on the name brand fixtures. Again, the Supernova @ $499 with the higher end LED's would make me push aside the aesthetics.

03/08/2013, 01:40 PM	#19
GoVols1983 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Signal Mountain, TN Posts: 57	After all that I have decided to stick with my current light (Innovative Marine Skkye) for a few months to see what else comes out. I used the gift card fork an Apex lite with the wxm module to control the vortechs, lights, heater and pumps.

03/08/2013, 02:11 PM	#20
matty0206 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vancouver Wa. Posts: 578	Very nice! I hear the Apex controllers are awesome!

03/08/2013, 02:25 PM	#21
GoVols1983 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Signal Mountain, TN Posts: 57	I 'm excited. I just didn't want to make a rush decision on the lighting, and I knew I wanted the Apex. So, the can wait, just not too long. Anyone want to buy my innovative skkye 92 watt fixture?