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Unread 08/27/2013, 08:09 PM   #1
240gallons
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In terms of Growth...putting ALL bells and whistles aside...

Looking purely at Quality Light output with NO other considerations....


On a scale of 1-10 rate these two fixtures

http://ecotechmarine.com/products/radion/radion-xr30w/

And

http://www.reefbreeders.com/bridgelux_value.html


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Unread 08/28/2013, 04:58 AM   #2
Ron Reefman
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I'd ask that you do two things before I'd offer ratings:

1) Define 'Quality Light Output'. Are we talking spectrum, lumens, PAR, sq ft coverage, depth coverage...?
2) What will be under them? Mostly corals is one thing, a tank with lots of macro algae is different, a FOWLR is different. I assume you mean for a mixed reef, but any time I assume...

I think your question is very legitimate. Take away all the bells and whistles and just consider the light. However, some features are important (like dimming), and some are a bit of a luxury (like dimming every color separately) and some are just stupid ways to use up excess CPU memory, IMHO, (like lightning storms).

But I think having a better understanding of what you are looking for in terms of 'Quality Light Output' is really important to a quality answer rather than just the standard, "I bought this one, so it's the best" answers that are all too common here. No disrespect intended, I know I do it myself.


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Unread 08/28/2013, 06:48 AM   #3
240gallons
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Ron, All valid points here.

I guess I'm trying to justify to myself that its okay to use a value fixture. I don't need the bells and whistles ....but at the same time I have to wonder if there is "something else" that makes coral grow better under a more expensive light. Just human nature I guess...

I'm actually not looking at a specific setup. I have multiple systems running t5 and LED and prefer T5 all around except for night "mood" lighting


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Unread 08/28/2013, 07:29 AM   #4
phenom5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 240gallons View Post
I guess I'm trying to justify to myself that its okay to use a value fixture. I don't need the bells and whistles ....but at the same time I have to wonder if there is "something else" that makes coral grow better under a more expensive light.
IMO there is "something else" (a few something elses actually)...but they fall under those other considerations.


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Unread 08/28/2013, 07:41 AM   #5
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I have to agree with Ron on all points. It doesn't stand to reason that corals grow better under a more expensive light fixture. DIY led fixtures have a distinct advantage as your make a fixture that meets your particular criteria of spectrum, par, and coverage. Off the shelf lighting comes in just a few flavors and its your choice as to what options you like best. I've been very impressed with the Reefbreeders I've seen (but have never owned them), and not so much with Radions (which I got rid of ASAP).


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Unread 08/28/2013, 08:27 AM   #6
Ron Reefman
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240gallons, I'm not trying to hijack your thread, but I just have to ask...

Quote:
Originally Posted by phenom5 View Post
IMO there is "something else" (a few something elses actually)...but they fall under those other considerations.
If the light is pretty much the same, what are the 'something else' things that make corals grow better? Not things that make them for fun to play with or look cooler like doing sunrise and sunsets, but as the OP posted, "...but at the same time I have to wonder if there is "something else" that makes coral grow better..."


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Unread 08/28/2013, 09:41 AM   #7
sirreal63
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IMO Ron, food is the thing that helps corals more than anything and most people in an attempt to keep nutrients in check do not provide enough of the proper food for the animals we keep. Stable chemistry (alk, cal, mag) are also extremely important but food is often the missing ingredient.


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Unread 08/28/2013, 09:50 AM   #8
phenom5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Reefman View Post
240gallons, I'm not trying to hijack your thread, but I just have to ask...

If the light is pretty much the same, what are the 'something else' things that make corals grow better? Not things that make them for fun to play with or look cooler like doing sunrise and sunsets, but as the OP posted, "...but at the same time I have to wonder if there is "something else" that makes coral grow better..."
Sorry Ron, I think my post was too vague. IMO/ IME, coming from an SPS focus, lighting is important, but in terms of growth/ overall health, it takes a backseat to water quality, and maybe flow. Those were the something elses I was refering to, IMO, they're too important to set aside. You see people having success (with SPS) with all sorts of lights...not so much with bad water quality.

As far as the OPs question about if the bells and whistles are worth it, that up to each individual. For some it is, for some it's not.


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Unread 08/28/2013, 12:39 PM   #9
Ron Reefman
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sirreal63 View Post
IMO Ron, food is the thing that helps corals more than anything and most people in an attempt to keep nutrients in check do not provide enough of the proper food for the animals we keep. Stable chemistry (alk, cal, mag) are also extremely important but food is often the missing ingredient.
Quote:
Originally Posted by phenom5 View Post
Sorry Ron, I think my post was too vague. IMO/ IME, coming from an SPS focus, lighting is important, but in terms of growth/ overall health, it takes a backseat to water quality, and maybe flow. Those were the something elses I was refering to, IMO, they're too important to set aside. You see people having success (with SPS) with all sorts of lights...not so much with bad water quality.

As far as the OPs question about if the bells and whistles are worth it, that up to each individual. For some it is, for some it's not.
Thanks guys, I thought we were talking about bells and whistles on led light fixtures. So lets give the thread back to the OP.

I think the quality of light from an Eco Tech Radion G2 and a Reef Breeders 'Value Fixture' are very, very close to equal. If I had to pick one... too many other considerations get in the way... just on light quality I'd take the RB 'VF'.


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Unread 08/28/2013, 01:56 PM   #10
sirreal63
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240, you linked a Radion G2 and given the choice between it and the Value, I would do the Value any day over the G2.


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Unread 08/28/2013, 05:55 PM   #11
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I have found the most important function on an led fixture to be a dimmer. Other than that multi spectrum lights with 5 or 6 different LEDs look better with all the bells and whistles because they are so adjustable. Also clustered LEDs give better color than widely spaced strip fixtures with multiple spectrums, where you get a lot of spotty areas. If it's just blue and white your fine with the strips for good light spread.

Personally I would do cheap white and blue, maybe violet too in a widely spaced orientation for best coverage and no hot spots.


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