Vega or Radion

[dbm reef]

Ok so i am going to start a new build. I am setting up a neo105
which is 48"x24"x21" tall and i am trying to switch over to leds from halides.
So my question is which would you go with? vegas or radions?
I would like to get away with running 2 over the tank

Thanks in advance for your ideas and help just trying not to buy twice like we usually do!

[Ron Reefman]

Seriously look into an EverGrow IT2080 or Reef Breeders Photon 32 (the same light rebranded). You can buy their layout or have a totally custom (your design) led layout and colors, as good or better PAR, you only need 1 as it's 32" long and has 99 3w leds and you'll save a lot of money. 2 Radions = $1500 + shipping, 1 EG IT2080 = $475 delivered. After I got my EG fixtures, I sold my Radion. I even like the built in controller better! Just my 2 cents.

[mikeatjac]

I have tried both and like the Radion better. Either will do what you want but I got better par with the Radion and it one sick looking fixture.

[trueblackpercula]

I have a radion over my 30 x 30 x 31 deep and its plenty

[mooch1982]

Radio, go Pro if you can.

[dbm reef]

I think the radion and the mp40s working together is cool as well
does the evergrow have any uv? and what are the control options.
im kinda swaying towards the radion because of the matching up with the pumps
and the controllability. What controller has a better led controller and how does it
compare to the stock radion stuff?
I own a reef keeper light and was gonna upgrade to the elite but dont know alot about the apex

[dbm reef]

Sorry if im rambling on but I got all this stuff just bouncing around in my little brain!
And it comes out in no order.

[Typlus5]

I chose the Vega Color and glad I did. Your tank is 21" tall so the Vega spread w/80 degree optics would work perfect...IMO.

[dbm reef]

Typlus5

Do you use the new AI controller or your apex?
And i noticed you use the apex for your mp40 does it work better
than the stock ecotech controller? What are the differeces?

[premilove]

You don't need a radion pro. Your tank is not deep enough for it. If you get a pro, you spend 900 on a fixture that you will run at 20-30%. There's no point in doing that. I've experimented with the Vega and I'm not a fan of it. If you decide to buy used, you can get away with two radion gen 1's. Otherwise, 2 gen 2's are more than enough!

[dbm reef]

premilove

What about the other colors that the pro has in it? I would be picking the pro if I
did more because the "full spectrum" wouldnt I?

Thanks

[Squidmotron]

I have to say the radion pro looks hella amazing.

[premilove]

I have a gen 1 and I get any color I can possibly think of. The pro has a lot more power, and leds i think it has 5watt leds vs 3? Call up ecotech and they will give you great information when deciding bt the g2 and the pro!

[dbm reef]

Thanks
premilove

and everyone else.

Is there any studies that anyone knows of that talk about the effects of using or not using the
uv bulbs

Indigo: 4 SemiLEDs UV, 415nm (2.5w each)
Ultraviolet: 4 SemiLEDs UV, 405nm (2.5w each)

[premilove]

Np but ecotech over AI anyday. I honestly think the pro will be over kill for your tank. I have a gen 1 on a 12" deep tank, I hang it at 10" and run it around 50%. So I can only imagine you running pros at 20-30% for a $900 fixture which doesn't make sense to me lol.

[Gatorbait]

2 Radions over a 48 might not be enough. I ran into some shadowing issues with just 1 over my 30x24. You might need 3 for perfect coverage.

[Tron_954]

I'll have u know I just switched from ai to ecotech....

Radion > ai

[dbm reef]

@ Gator how deep was your 30x24?

@ tron Did you go with the pro? or the gen 2?

[ghostman]

I hate to be "that guy" that comes in with a curve ball, but how about other brands? I've owned AI and radions, and now use hyperions. I would never look back on the AIs and would never own a radion again. You could use 1 hyperion fixture that is less than the price of 2 radions and still have true violet, real wireless control, and only 1 fixture. I also really like the look of the Maxspect razor lights, and the king of them all is the mitras for big $$$$. Just throwing it out there...

[fishome25]

neither. go with acan lighting

[chadfarmer]

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

Seriously look into an EverGrow IT2080 or Reef Breeders Photon 32 (the same light rebranded). You can buy their layout or have a totally custom (your design) led layout and colors, as good or better PAR, you only need 1 as it's 32" long and has 99 3w leds and you'll save a lot of money. 2 Radions = $1500 + shipping, 1 EG IT2080 = $475 delivered. After I got my EG fixtures, I sold my Radion. I even like the built in controller better! Just my 2 cents.

do u work for evergrow, man u surely push them

[mikeatjac]

Originally Posted by chadfarmer

do u work for evergrow, man u surely push them

Either that or he cuts and pastes.

Back to the question. A MH Radium is hard to beat. I left Radiums for LEDS because of the heat generated in my office area. I did a lot of research before the switch. Now I have Radions and I love them but I would look at tanks in person before you do anything. Lots of misleading info out there.

[Bugger]

I only own the radion but its a nice lamp

[JohnnyHeavens]

I went with the radions for a few reasons. One of them was the ability to upgrade the fixture. Just a couple weeks ago I did just that when I upgraded from the gen1 radion to the pro for just the cost difference of the two models.

Here is a recent review of the different radion models should it help you with what model to select.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/1/review

[BlakDuc]

2x250 or 1x400 Halides.

I have a Vega over my Solana and when I upgrade this weekend, I'll be hanging 2 over my 80 cube, but I wish I would have saved the money and just gone halide. The selling point for me on the Led's was the controlability. It's pretty awesome. I'm not regretful, but I miss running halides.