lighting question (2 Viewers)

[FarmerTy]

I would take one of those hands down any day over a Radion or hydra. From what I understand (I'm not terribly knowleagable of the reef breeders), those are very adjustable, customizable, etc like a Radion or hydra. That would take away the only advantage a Radion or hydra would have over a black box.

Keep in mind, my original point doesn't even include nice fixtures like that reef breeder. It wouldn't be fair to compare a Radion to one of those (assuming they can be programmed) because the reef breeder would be leaps and bounds better. One if those Orphek Atlantik units, assuming they had the same build quality, is basically a large black box with the same controllablity as a Radion. Hands down a better unit, assuming build quality is equal, but we aren't comparing those two units yet. Radions still can't prove to be better than a $92 Chinese black box. Radions fail in some key aspects when compared to the black boxes.

To you and I, I agree... Because we'll desolder and slap in the diodes we want. But to most who don't want to do that or who don't trust their own handyness, buying a black box locks you into their diodes. Which is okay but nothing like what comes straight out of the box with a Radion.

 

[FarmerTy]

That's one of the reasons why I like the Reef Breeders Photon V2. It has all the same LED's as the AI Hydra, but they spaced them out for much more uniform coverage across the tank. Par levels across the tank are fairly consistent with minimal hot spots compared to other options.

What I liked about my Ocean Revives. It was the most spread out LED black box type fixture at the time.

 

[i_am_poor]

Can we talk about Jebao versus Ecotech’s MP now??? Lol

 

[Cody]

To you and I, I agree... Because we'll desolder and slap in the diodes we want. But to most who don't want to do that or who don't trust their own handyness, buying a black box locks you into their diodes. Which is okay but nothing like what comes straight out of the box with a Radion.

I went the "slap on some t5s" route. I have been meaning to change some diodes for years, but I never got around to it. Either way, between the two channels of leds and two bulbs to choose, I can make the tank look how I want it to. Not to mention, with that setup, you're incorporating coverage that no led unit on the market can reach in addition to balancing out the spectrum for anything the leds might miss. A black box/t5 combo is capable of more beneficial aspects than any cluster style led fixture on the market, and that's including a radion/t5 combo. Those still don't have the same level of coverage that a black box/t5 would.

 

[Cody]

Can we talk about Jebao versus Ecotech’s MP now??? Lol

Not until you confirm that you haven't been kidnapped!!!

 

[FarmerTy]

I went the "slap on some t5s" route. I have been meaning to change some diodes for years, but I never got around to it. Either way, between the two channels of leds and two bulbs to choose, I can make the tank look how I want it to. Not to mention, with that setup, you're incorporating coverage that no led unit on the market can reach in addition to balancing out the spectrum for anything the leds might miss. A black box/t5 combo is capable of more beneficial aspects than any cluster style led fixture on the market, and that's including a radion/t5 combo. Those still don't have the same level of coverage that a black box/t5 would.

You're preaching to the choir Cody. I ran this for 4 years. [emoji16]

Now I run the opposite... T5s with LED actinic bars on the sides.

I'm still impressed with the Radions. [emoji14]

 

[Cody]

You're preaching to the choir Cody. I ran this for 4 years. [emoji16]

Now I run the opposite... T5s with LED actinic bars on the sides.

I'm still impressed with the Radions. [emoji14]

Ridiculous! A person can't hold multiple positions on the same issue in this day and age! It's one side versus the other! Us versus them! There can't be complexity!!!!

 

[FarmerTy]

Ridiculous! A person can't hold multiple positions on the same issue in this day and age! It's one side versus the other! Us versus them! There can't be complexity!!!!

I cannot compute... Danger danger!

 

[PorpoiseHork]

I would take one of those hands down any day over a Radion or hydra. From what I understand (I'm not terribly knowleagable of the reef breeders), those are very adjustable, customizable, etc like a Radion or hydra. That would take away the only advantage a Radion or hydra would have over a black box.

Keep in mind, my original point doesn't even include nice fixtures like that reef breeder. It wouldn't be fair to compare a Radion to one of those (assuming they can be programmed) because the reef breeder would be leaps and bounds better. One if those Orphek Atlantik units, assuming they had the same build quality, is basically a large black box with the same controllablity as a Radion. Hands down a better unit, assuming build quality is equal, but we aren't comparing those two units yet. Radions still can't prove to be better than a $92 Chinese black box. Radions fail in some key aspects when compared to the black boxes.

They are very customizable and with the v2+ upgrade it's much easier than ever. You still have to set each channel intensity by total percentage of power by the hour for your desired schedule. Then instead of a hard step at each hour it ramps up/down every 10 minutes for a much smoother transition. The controller once you get used to using it is a breeze to work with. My only complaint is unlike the Radions or Hydras, there isn't a single button press preset for specific color temps like dialing up a 14k or 20k spectrum. And Reef Breeders doesn't (as far as I can find) provide the channel levels for these settings. So I did my best to copy find a happy mix between the Coral Lab AB+ and LPS color settings but at 45% of their power levels shown. I ran them at 30% for several weeks before ramping up slowly and I still had some minor bleaching of my euphyllia the first few weeks under this light.

I did the v2+ upgrade myself and it is very similar to the black box designs but they improved the cooling and have a much better driver unit than most of the black box units. I was surprised that they are using the same LED's as AI uses in the Hydras, except for the whites. AI uses a 6.5K white where the Photon V2 uses a 5.5K color, but are still Cree XP-G2 chips. As for penetration at 45% on the blues at 8" above the water line I am easily pulling 125-135 par on the sand bed.

Overall I highly recommend this light as an alternative option.

 

[oneasianguy]

I own 2 ocean revive. I like it. It is growing all different kind of corals for me. However, i would prefer if it can ramp up and down for sunset and sunrise effect.

 

[Reefahholic]

I like T5’s. Always will.

I may eventually switch to the Radion Gen 10 when it’s available.