ecotech radion "is it worth $ it"

[JT3069]

like the title says, im planning on a 120 4x2x2 sps dominated build
and was gonna get two of these but i gotta here it from those that already have this fixture

so is it worth is

[bearpeidog]

Many people in the dyi arena are building more efficient, more par led rigs. The opinion by the resident experts there is they can build a much better led setup for a lot less. The LEDs used in the radium are identical to the ones used in dyi. So from that perspective, no.

That said, the software and synch with the vortechs are nice to have. If you want commercial, I think it would be a very nice light, albeit expensive.

The pheonix is do out soon, so you might want to check that out.

[kakalakasha]

The bonus of going with a Radion over a DIY or other basic LED unit, is simply the programming it comes with.
There are many options, from custom to presets, and you can sync them to your vortech pumps. Also, with Radion you can guarantee 100% best quality and great customer service if anything goes wrong.

Although LED power, brightness, par, etc. plays a big role, there are many reasons to go with the Radion over a more "powerful" DIY unit.

[JT3069]

yeah thats my thoughts, i like the controllablity, i like warrenty, and i already have
mp40's. i would like to know how the corals growth is and light spread?

is your tank bright in the center and dimm-on the outside edges?
or do you have light spilling out like i have with my halides?

[MarkT]

I just got 4 Radions for my 250 gallon reef. They are replacing the ATI SunPower T5's that I've been using for a couple of years.

The Radion fixtures are bright, compact, and look quite nice over my tank. The software makes it easy to customize the color and lighting schedule. I like them a lot.

With that said, they certainly are expensive. I have no doubt that you could put together a nice DIY system or purchase another brand of LED fixture for a lot less money.

For me, the software control was a big plus. Over time, I'm anticipating that EcoTech will continue to upgrade the software to add functionality and make the lights even better.

Only you can decide whether they're worth the money. There's no arguing the fact that they're expensive.

[tandldel]

I think everyone has hit the mark. I am very happy with mine for all the same reasons already stated. It comes down to are you someone who is a DIY or someone who likes a complete solution ready to go. For me I wanted a plug and play quality product that has ease to upgrade later. I also really like the ability to share lighting schedules between other owners and have already taken advantage of that. As far as growth and color under these lights only time will tell---I have seen good results thus far..

[JT3069]

i agree with markT i do like the fact that they have a good configuration
i hear that they will slowly ramp up the light and ive done my home work
i have not seen a diy yet that can do this, unless you are a gismo guru
which i am not so for me i think the radion will do it,
but i dont want to change lights for a long time after this its gotta be a sure thing for a good amount of time per the wife lol

does any one think they will drop the price a lil when the new leds hit the market?
if so do ya'll think i should wait to buy?

just my luck i buy then they have a sale lol

[RubberFrog]

I doubt they will drop the price. They haven't dropped the price on their pumps as newer pumps have come out.

[James77]

You could build a DIY setup with dimming for quite a bit less, but then it will not have that finished look. I have done the DIY route, and were I to go LED again, I would buy a finished fixture. They look far better, and the controllability is far easier and contained within it.

Are tehy worth it? Yes, but for me not really. Are they worth it for you? That is up to you. I have seen alot of positive reviews of them, and some impressive PAR and coverage reports. I do like that 2 would cover a 4x2x2 area as opposed to AI Sols, less clutter. I was even tempted to buy them for the heck of it, but Im still waiting a bit for long term results on LEDs since running halides is not much more expensive- if at all- than LEDs right now.

[milkman55]

Just got two Radion for my 120 gal SPS tank. Have not got them up yet, but I justified the price based on the level of controllability and customization. I have two MP40's which also were expensive compared to the competition, but two years later they are still performing flawlessly and I expect the same from the Radion. I use the Apex WXM to control the pumps and expect they will control the Radion in future upgrades.

I know if I do have problems, Ecotech is going to stand behind their product. I spend $160 on new T5 bulbs every 6-8 months, so the payback after netting out the sale of my T5 fixture should be 4-5 years.

[northerncoral]

Kessil is apparently comming out with the a350 which will be dimmable and likely programable. And given the price of the a150w I would expect the price of the 350 would be much more afforable than the ecotechs. Kessil makes their own LED chips specifically for aquariums which no other LED brands do. Worth checking out atleast. I was set to pick up a radion but opted out to the kessils. I have 2 150s on the way

[Felixc395]

How's the color? Is there significant better coverage of the spectrum than say.... AI's?

[JT3069]

i looked at those but the sellere on the radions is the controllabilty and the fact it has all natural wavelengths, its not missing color, its just like my halides are

[chadfarmer]

just get it and tell us how u like it

[JT3069]

one more question i seen a site that sells the axep jr with the wxm module and the cable
but cannot find it again does anyone know were i might find this again it was a good deal

[Chooch1]

In my opinion and experience they are worth it. The sleek look, the programability and the overall versatility of the lights are amazing. Ecotech customer service is top notch as well. Previously on my 180 gal reef tank I had 3x10k halides with 2 72" VHO super actinics. The Radions can exactly replicate this look or any other look you want between 6k and 20k or all blue. I'm currently ramping them up about 5% per week. They are maxing at 50% intensity right now and they are very bright. All of my corals are thriving. I really think Ecotech hit a homerun with these lights.

[AGYDAL]

My concern about the Radion is the location of the fan on the underside of the fixture, they say that moisture can't get into the fixture...I have my doubts, the "guts" of the fixture might be safe, but I think that people are going to have salt creep issues down the road on the fan blades.

I also might be a bit biased since I run a Vertex Illumina...I do own MP10's too though and love them!

I've been running my Illumina for a year now at about 5" off the water, while there isn't a lot of splash up onto it, there still is some if my fish get overzealous at feeding time...I'm just not sure I'd feel comfortable if it's fans were on the side facing the water.

In the end it's your $$ not mine, there is also a decent thread in the premium aquatics section that compares AI/Vertex/and Radion you might want to check out.

[JT3069]

if you have the link post it
mrsaltwatertanktv just posted a video about the fans and the moisture that you were talking about you should watch that video

[RubberFrog]

^ both of you guys post links! lol

[AGYDAL]

Originally Posted by JT3069

if you have the link post it
mrsaltwatertanktv just posted a video about the fans and the moisture that you were talking about you should watch that video

Sorry I'm on my phone, but just go to the Vendor section of RC then Premium Aquatics the thread should be on the first page.

Do you have the location for your link?

When I say moisture I'm meaning more the splash up and resulting salt crust...LEDs run cool, my LED fans don't run the entire time the light is on, I'm wondering if there were to be water splash up when the fans are off, if the salt would dry and overtime the buildup could add weight, causing the fan to become noisy? I only started to think about this, when I took my light down after a year of running to give it a good cleaning...even though I use a can of compressed air from time to time to blow the dust off, there was a still a fair amount of dust stuck to the fan blades, it made me wonder how crusty & dusty they would have been if they were on the bottom like the Radion.

Just a thought.

[JT3069]

http://www.youtube.com/user/mrsaltwa.../1/ZknwUNBfoBU

[JT3069]

just one man opinion but i say with any fan you are gonna need proper cleaning for dust
and if your water splashes up 5 inches then id just move the fixture up,

[karsseboom]

I would get the AI sol because its proven to grow sps while the radion has olny been out for a few months. never buy the first run of anything.

[ange062]

Yup, worth it:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...&postcount=433

[ange062]

Originally Posted by SkullV

Sure they are, but they don't look as sleek, carry the best warranty in the industry, a team of software programmers to constantly update and improve the software interface, or a ready out of the box system.

Well said, +1. Not to mention, if you really look around at LED fixtures or even MH/T5 combos, for what you get the Radion is really only priced in the mid-range. If you don't believe me, go look up an Orphek LED or Elos MH/T5 combo...