Radion

CafeReef · 09/19/2016, 01:52 PM

Question, would an Radion XR15 Freshwater be a usable/good light for macro algae? Right now I only have chaeto, but would like mangroves eventually. There is a one for sale locally at a good price.

Thanks

slief · 09/19/2016, 03:07 PM

It wouldn't be my first choice for lighting over macro or mangroves. For macro algae, you really want a light that is between 5000 & 6500k spectrum and you would be wasting a lot of diodes in that XR15 and getting very minimal usable output from it at that point. Pretty much a waste of a perfectly good light with little upside for that application.

I run inexpensive 10 and 20 watt 6500k LED flood lights that cost around $15-$20 each and put out a lot of light. They grow chaeto as well as other macro and mangroves great.

Here is a 4 pack of the 10w lights I use. The 4 pack is only $30. You just have to add a power cord which is simple. You can find the same lights in 10 or 20 watt version with power cords on both Amazon and eBay for under $20 each by searching for "6500k LED Flood Light".

https://www.amazon.com/eTopLighting-...dp/B017AHW8UK/

fishguy306 · 09/19/2016, 03:08 PM

I recently purchased a bunch of them for a large fw tank I'm setting up. I remember seeing somewhere on them that it said good for refugiums. From what I can gather the light can hit all the same wavelengths as the reef versions it just isn't nearly as powerful. That said they are still very bright.

Just me being nosey, but how much is it being sold for?

slief · 09/19/2016, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishguy306

I recently purchased a bunch of them for a large fw tank I'm setting up. I remember seeing somewhere on them that it said good for refugiums. From what I can gather the light can hit all the same wavelengths as the reef versions it just isn't nearly as powerful. That said they are still very bright.

Just me being nosey, but how much is it being sold for?

I didn't even notice the fact that he mentioned "freshwater". A lack of sleep last night has led me to not be firing on all cylinders today. Heck, I didn't even know that Ecotech had a freshwater specific version but then again, I only pay attention to the salt water stuff anyway. If that's the case and this is a fresh water specific light, then the XR15 would probably work fine and certainly better than a reef version. Most of the fresh water specific lighting is well suited for planted tanks and typically provides a "daylight" spectrum that would be consusive to decent macro growth. Still, it would have to be a steal for it to be worthwhile in my opinion simply because there are lots of very inexpensive lights that will grow macro very well.

gus6464 · 09/19/2016, 04:02 PM

Get a Kessil H150 Magenta before they're gone forever.

GimpyFin · 09/19/2016, 04:03 PM

The Mars Hydro Mars300 works extremely well too. $80 off Amazon. If you want algae/plant growth, it blows away any other bulb or LED fixture I've used.

fishguy306 · 09/19/2016, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slief

I didn't even notice the fact that he mentioned "freshwater". A lack of sleep last night has led me to not be firing on all cylinders today. Heck, I didn't even know that Ecotech had a freshwater specific version but then again, I only pay attention to the salt water stuff anyway. If that's the case and this is a fresh water specific light, then the XR15 would probably work fine and certainly better than a reef version. Most of the fresh water specific lighting is well suited for planted tanks and typically provides a "daylight" spectrum that would be consusive to decent macro growth. Still, it would have to be a steal for it to be worthwhile in my opinion simply because there are lots of very inexpensive lights that will grow macro very well.

I haven't used other Radions before, but the FW version it pretty nice. It has all the same abilities as the reef versions just a bit less powerful and cheaper. I believe they are $299 for the XR15FW, or if you wait for a sale $240 each.

That said I agree. That is very expensive for a macro light. I only went with them because of the look and wanting a pendant style with sunrise/sunset abilities. For behind the scenes I wouldn't spend that much.

CafeReef · 09/22/2016, 10:24 AM

Sorry for the late reply guys.

Well I ended up buying it. I am extremely excited, I do completely agree with everyone's assessment that they are far to expensive for a refugium light when there are cheaper options available.

That said. I think it will compliment my XR15pro I have on the display nicely and I was able to pick it up for $75

fishguy306 · 09/22/2016, 10:56 AM

Dang! That is a really great price! Cheapest I found a used one for was $150, for that price I would have bought it too.

09/19/2016, 01:52 PM	#1
CafeReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Elkhorn, NE Posts: 1,405	Radion Question, would an Radion XR15 Freshwater be a usable/good light for macro algae? Right now I only have chaeto, but would like mangroves eventually. There is a one for sale locally at a good price. Thanks __________________ 50 Gallon cube

09/19/2016, 03:07 PM	#2
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	It wouldn't be my first choice for lighting over macro or mangroves. For macro algae, you really want a light that is between 5000 & 6500k spectrum and you would be wasting a lot of diodes in that XR15 and getting very minimal usable output from it at that point. Pretty much a waste of a perfectly good light with little upside for that application. I run inexpensive 10 and 20 watt 6500k LED flood lights that cost around $15-$20 each and put out a lot of light. They grow chaeto as well as other macro and mangroves great. Here is a 4 pack of the 10w lights I use. The 4 pack is only $30. You just have to add a power cord which is simple. You can find the same lights in 10 or 20 watt version with power cords on both Amazon and eBay for under $20 each by searching for "6500k LED Flood Light". https://www.amazon.com/eTopLighting-...dp/B017AHW8UK/ __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

09/19/2016, 04:03 PM	#6
GimpyFin Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,032	The Mars Hydro Mars300 works extremely well too. $80 off Amazon. If you want algae/plant growth, it blows away any other bulb or LED fixture I've used. __________________ Brian Current Tank Info: 110 gallon

09/22/2016, 10:24 AM	#8
CafeReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Elkhorn, NE Posts: 1,405	Sorry for the late reply guys. Well I ended up buying it. I am extremely excited, I do completely agree with everyone's assessment that they are far to expensive for a refugium light when there are cheaper options available. That said. I think it will compliment my XR15pro I have on the display nicely and I was able to pick it up for $75 __________________ 50 Gallon cube

09/19/2016, 03:08 PM	#3
fishguy306 Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago, Illinois Posts: 306	I recently purchased a bunch of them for a large fw tank I'm setting up. I remember seeing somewhere on them that it said good for refugiums. From what I can gather the light can hit all the same wavelengths as the reef versions it just isn't nearly as powerful. That said they are still very bright. Just me being nosey, but how much is it being sold for?

09/19/2016, 04:02 PM	#5
gus6464 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,079	Get a Kessil H150 Magenta before they're gone forever.

09/22/2016, 10:56 AM	#9
fishguy306 Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago, Illinois Posts: 306	Dang! That is a really great price! Cheapest I found a used one for was $150, for that price I would have bought it too.