40g LED setup

cubanheat1 · 03/13/2012, 08:32 AM

Hello,

OK so tank is cycling with rock and now I'm think LED lighting. Tank is 36 x 18 x 16 and I did two seperate islands for a simple yet functional look. Each island is about 16" long. My question is I want to keep SPS on the upper regions of the rock and want to go with a good quality led, but not break the bank if you know what I mean.

Will 1 -Ecotech Radion be enough right in the middle or maybe a AI SOL white unit? I was considering OCreef or Reefkoi Epistar 2w fixtures with dimmers, fans, and all but not to sure since I believe they are chinese made.

Are the Ecotech Radions dimmable out of the box or do I have to spend more money on a controller for it. I know AI SOL has a seperate controller that isnt to bad

Your feedback will be appreciated. Thanks

Donkeykong · 03/13/2012, 08:42 AM

Yes the ecotech radions are dimmable, you have to hook up a laptop to them to do the programming. A single radion or AI Sol will not really give you good coverage, the tank will be very dim on the outer edges. Two AI units would provide great coverage with enough light to put corals where ever you want, plus two AI's would be just a little more than a single Radion. Dont get me wrong Radions are great units, but on a tank like yours were one will not cover but not really big enough to justify two, they aren't the most cost effect IMO. The general opinion is go with the AI Sol Blue not the white. The blue gives you a wider spectrum with 3 different led olors compared to the whites 2. Also you can adjust it to be as white as you want.

jfingers8 · 03/13/2012, 10:02 AM

Depends what you want to keep. My buddy has 1 Radion over a 3 foot 65 gallon tank with LPS and softies and his tank is awesome. He has his 12 inches above the water line. I have 2 Radions over my 75 and love them. Just be selective on your coral placement. Your obviously not going to want to put SPS corals in the outer edges. I say Radion hands down. Not a fan of AI at all, either are a lot of other people. The coloring is way better on the Radion than AI. You don't have to get stuck with just blue and white.

cubanheat1 · 03/13/2012, 10:18 AM

Hello Thanks for the feedback. What I'm thinking is keping the sps on the upper region of the tank say no more then 6-7" from the water line. If I hang AI or Radion 10-12" wouldnt this cover the. The outer edges will be mostly LPS and zoos/palys.

Also will one AI controller control 2 x AI SOL blues? If so this might be a good option.

Donkeykong · 03/13/2012, 02:59 PM

Yes the AI controller will do up to like 12 I think, cant remember off hand exactly. I have to agree with the statement that the radions have a wider spectrum since they include a more than just 3 color leds, I have seen first hand several tanks running AI's with good success but if I had had the cash I would have probably went with the Radion as it is a nicer fixture.

03/13/2012, 08:32 AM	#1
cubanheat1 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: N.J Posts: 419	40g LED setup Hello, OK so tank is cycling with rock and now I'm think LED lighting. Tank is 36 x 18 x 16 and I did two seperate islands for a simple yet functional look. Each island is about 16" long. My question is I want to keep SPS on the upper regions of the rock and want to go with a good quality led, but not break the bank if you know what I mean. Will 1 -Ecotech Radion be enough right in the middle or maybe a AI SOL white unit? I was considering OCreef or Reefkoi Epistar 2w fixtures with dimmers, fans, and all but not to sure since I believe they are chinese made. Are the Ecotech Radions dimmable out of the box or do I have to spend more money on a controller for it. I know AI SOL has a seperate controller that isnt to bad Your feedback will be appreciated. Thanks

03/13/2012, 08:42 AM	#2
Donkeykong Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Grover Beach CA Posts: 1,847	Yes the ecotech radions are dimmable, you have to hook up a laptop to them to do the programming. A single radion or AI Sol will not really give you good coverage, the tank will be very dim on the outer edges. Two AI units would provide great coverage with enough light to put corals where ever you want, plus two AI's would be just a little more than a single Radion. Dont get me wrong Radions are great units, but on a tank like yours were one will not cover but not really big enough to justify two, they aren't the most cost effect IMO. The general opinion is go with the AI Sol Blue not the white. The blue gives you a wider spectrum with 3 different led olors compared to the whites 2. Also you can adjust it to be as white as you want.

03/13/2012, 10:02 AM	#3
jfingers8 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: MA Posts: 562	Depends what you want to keep. My buddy has 1 Radion over a 3 foot 65 gallon tank with LPS and softies and his tank is awesome. He has his 12 inches above the water line. I have 2 Radions over my 75 and love them. Just be selective on your coral placement. Your obviously not going to want to put SPS corals in the outer edges. I say Radion hands down. Not a fan of AI at all, either are a lot of other people. The coloring is way better on the Radion than AI. You don't have to get stuck with just blue and white.

03/13/2012, 10:18 AM	#4
cubanheat1 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: N.J Posts: 419	Hello Thanks for the feedback. What I'm thinking is keping the sps on the upper region of the tank say no more then 6-7" from the water line. If I hang AI or Radion 10-12" wouldnt this cover the. The outer edges will be mostly LPS and zoos/palys. Also will one AI controller control 2 x AI SOL blues? If so this might be a good option.

03/13/2012, 02:59 PM	#5
Donkeykong Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Grover Beach CA Posts: 1,847	Yes the AI controller will do up to like 12 I think, cant remember off hand exactly. I have to agree with the statement that the radions have a wider spectrum since they include a more than just 3 color leds, I have seen first hand several tanks running AI's with good success but if I had had the cash I would have probably went with the Radion as it is a nicer fixture.