Radion gen 2 pro vs Radion gen 3 pro - par test

Oceandreamadean · 09/28/2014, 03:30 AM

Hi,
I'm currently in the process of deciding whether I should purchase Radion gen2 pros or the gen3 pros. My tank is going to be 72"x36"x30" & I will be keeping a mixture of corals, including SPS eventually.
My dilemma is that I've seen a few par rating tests posted & the gen 2 pros always seem to come out on top. If this is the case, what extra features do the gen 3 pros have to warrant the extra cash (plus I have the chance to purchase x2 gen2 pros at a really good price).
Finally considering my tank dimensions, would I need the wide angle lenses. Again, with them I read it reduces the par rate quite considerably & since my tank will be 30" high (although 36" wide, where it would help) will this be a problem.

nikon187 · 09/28/2014, 06:47 PM

I would do six gen 2 on that tank size. you will need the standard optics at 30 inches deep

unze · 09/29/2014, 01:22 AM

can u still buy gen2?

Oceandreamadean · 10/02/2014, 09:56 PM

I don't think you can still buy the Gen 2's (would probably have to source them used or find a FS that's got old stock), & Nikon187 - I was told by an Ecotech rep that I would get away with 3 Gen3 Pros.
It was also the dilemma of whether I need the wide angle lenses because Radion suggest for my tank height (30") that the standard lens that they come with are better (because the par will punch deeper) but the wide angle lense are more suitable for a wider tank (which mine is at 72", because of the spread) - hence why I'm confused.
It recommends for a smaller deeper tank standard lens, but for a larger shallower tank - the wide angle lens, but my tank is large & deep in height

Help please if the are any Ecotech geeks or agents out there

trueblackpercula · 10/03/2014, 04:28 PM

Sorry but I just want to let you no you would only need two mitras lx 6200 hv to cover that size tank or three but that would be more then enough. I just wanted to share that's all

Mark426 · 10/03/2014, 06:38 PM

IMO...No way to get away with 3 using the wide angle lenses on your tank ...unless you limit your corals selection to lower light types. Wide angle lenses basically reduce the PAR by 50%. Somewhere on RC are PAR readings with side by side lens comparisons. I love Ecotech but they consistently recommend less fixtures than required for most tanks. I have yet to understand why. All it ends up doing is disappointing their customers. Long and short of it ...you will need 4 or more fixtures with the standard lenses for your tank unless you do some very creative landscaping. Like three small islands, each one directly under the light. Still will need the std lenses due to the depth.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oceandreamadean

I don't think you can still buy the Gen 2's (would probably have to source them used or find a FS that's got old stock), & Nikon187 - I was told by an Ecotech rep that I would get away with 3 Gen3 Pros.
It was also the dilemma of whether I need the wide angle lenses because Radion suggest for my tank height (30") that the standard lens that they come with are better (because the par will punch deeper) but the wide angle lense are more suitable for a wider tank (which mine is at 72", because of the spread) - hence why I'm confused.
It recommends for a smaller deeper tank standard lens, but for a larger shallower tank - the wide angle lens, but my tank is large & deep in height

Help please if the are any Ecotech geeks or agents out there

Mark426 · 10/03/2014, 06:43 PM

Found the wide angle PAR Chart. This was posted here on RC somewhere, I saved it to my drive. You can see the problem when you get away from the center of the fixture. 3 just wont do it on a 72" tank IMO.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

trueblackpercula · 10/03/2014, 09:15 PM

The spread on the Mitras is 36 x36

DV2027 · 10/05/2014, 11:36 AM

I am using 3 gen 1 radions w stock lens at 18" above the water with no problems on my mixed reef. Good growth with my sps at all levels of the tank. Montiporas love the lower portion and rest of my sps are mid to upper levels of rock work. And it's a standard 210.

DubiousMaximus · 07/19/2016, 01:53 PM

I know this is old, but a big difference I noticed between them is gen2's use warm white LEDs vs gen3's cool whites. IMO, is a great change over, both older versions have too much red/yellow light as it was, still a bit too much on gen3. I keep reds down during hight of daylight hours

09/28/2014, 03:30 AM	#1
Oceandreamadean Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: UK Posts: 26	Radion gen 2 pro vs Radion gen 3 pro - par test Hi, I'm currently in the process of deciding whether I should purchase Radion gen2 pros or the gen3 pros. My tank is going to be 72"x36"x30" & I will be keeping a mixture of corals, including SPS eventually. My dilemma is that I've seen a few par rating tests posted & the gen 2 pros always seem to come out on top. If this is the case, what extra features do the gen 3 pros have to warrant the extra cash (plus I have the chance to purchase x2 gen2 pros at a really good price). Finally considering my tank dimensions, would I need the wide angle lenses. Again, with them I read it reduces the par rate quite considerably & since my tank will be 30" high (although 36" wide, where it would help) will this be a problem.

09/28/2014, 06:47 PM	#2
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	I would do six gen 2 on that tank size. you will need the standard optics at 30 inches deep __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

10/03/2014, 04:28 PM	#5
trueblackpercula Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: STATEN ISLAND Posts: 7,517	Sorry but I just want to let you no you would only need two mitras lx 6200 hv to cover that size tank or three but that would be more then enough. I just wanted to share that's all __________________ Life is to short to buy frags ! But for FREE I'LL take them ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. >((((º> LIVE SAND ITS THE CURE........® Current Tank Info: 120 CUBE Live sand Mitras lx6100hv MRC MR 2 single becket MP40 power head Aquamedic dosing pump using B-ionic

10/03/2014, 06:43 PM	#7
Mark426 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,479	Found the wide angle PAR Chart. This was posted here on RC somewhere, I saved it to my drive. You can see the problem when you get away from the center of the fixture. 3 just wont do it on a 72" tank IMO. [IMG][/IMG]

10/03/2014, 09:15 PM	#8
trueblackpercula Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: STATEN ISLAND Posts: 7,517	The spread on the Mitras is 36 x36 __________________ Life is to short to buy frags ! But for FREE I'LL take them ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. >((((º> LIVE SAND ITS THE CURE........® Current Tank Info: 120 CUBE Live sand Mitras lx6100hv MRC MR 2 single becket MP40 power head Aquamedic dosing pump using B-ionic

09/29/2014, 01:22 AM	#3
unze Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 411	can u still buy gen2?

10/02/2014, 09:56 PM	#4
Oceandreamadean Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: UK Posts: 26	I don't think you can still buy the Gen 2's (would probably have to source them used or find a FS that's got old stock), & Nikon187 - I was told by an Ecotech rep that I would get away with 3 Gen3 Pros. It was also the dilemma of whether I need the wide angle lenses because Radion suggest for my tank height (30") that the standard lens that they come with are better (because the par will punch deeper) but the wide angle lense are more suitable for a wider tank (which mine is at 72", because of the spread) - hence why I'm confused. It recommends for a smaller deeper tank standard lens, but for a larger shallower tank - the wide angle lens, but my tank is large & deep in height Help please if the are any Ecotech geeks or agents out there

10/05/2014, 11:36 AM	#9
DV2027 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Midlothian,TX Posts: 59	I am using 3 gen 1 radions w stock lens at 18" above the water with no problems on my mixed reef. Good growth with my sps at all levels of the tank. Montiporas love the lower portion and rest of my sps are mid to upper levels of rock work. And it's a standard 210. Last edited by DV2027; 10/05/2014 at 11:37 AM. Reason: Needed to add additional statement

07/19/2016, 01:53 PM	#10
DubiousMaximus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 80	I know this is old, but a big difference I noticed between them is gen2's use warm white LEDs vs gen3's cool whites. IMO, is a great change over, both older versions have too much red/yellow light as it was, still a bit too much on gen3. I keep reds down during hight of daylight hours