d2mini's "Essential Focus" Mixed Reef Build
- Thread starter d2mini
- Start date
So are you switching to the LED's or just testing / comparing? Also what gen are those? Previous was ATI T5? I also know you used LED and MH before.
I can't ever see going back to any form of bulb lighting after using LED's. The amount of control with color, intensity, and gadget stuff like storms is too difficult to let go of. I currently have a pair of Borealis multi chip and adding in another 4 from a different vendor. DIY is still a viable option and reduced overall costs substantially - which is diverted to other things like the Vectra pump or other stuff
Looking to see what you think about the flexibility and/or control of those lights and what the light spread actually is.
I can't ever see going back to any form of bulb lighting after using LED's. The amount of control with color, intensity, and gadget stuff like storms is too difficult to let go of. I currently have a pair of Borealis multi chip and adding in another 4 from a different vendor. DIY is still a viable option and reduced overall costs substantially - which is diverted to other things like the Vectra pump or other stuff
Looking to see what you think about the flexibility and/or control of those lights and what the light spread actually is.
d2mini
Premium Member
So are you switching to the LED's or just testing / comparing? Also what gen are those? Previous was ATI T5? I also know you used LED and MH before.
I can't ever see going back to any form of bulb lighting after using LED's. The amount of control with color, intensity, and gadget stuff like storms is too difficult to let go of. I currently have a pair of Borealis multi chip and adding in another 4 from a different vendor. DIY is still a viable option and reduced overall costs substantially - which is diverted to other things like the Vectra pump or other stuff
Looking to see what you think about the flexibility and/or control of those lights and what the light spread actually is.
Never ran the PowerModule.
Ecotech contacted me before I even had a chance to fill the tank.
Been running three of the G3 Pro's so far, and now three of the G4 Pros.
The only reason I agreed to try them again on this build was because of the recent Coral Lab success and I knew what was coming down the pipe as far as the improved spread.
I don't mess with any of the "gadget" type stuff.
Just a quick ramp up and down on the ends with a flat full intensity run for most of the day. Similar to mh/t5.
Although I do change the spectrum for an hour or two in the evening to be more yellow so I can see the true color of the coral compared to the more blue spectrum of the AB+ Coral Lab program.
Looky what just showed up, direct from Ecotech.
Weekend project!
Nice!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Never ran the PowerModule.
Ecotech contacted me before I even had a chance to fill the tank.
Been running three of the G3 Pro's so far, and now three of the G4 Pros.
The only reason I agreed to try them again on this build was because of the recent Coral Lab success and I knew what was coming down the pipe as far as the improved spread.
I don't mess with any of the "gadget" type stuff.
Just a quick ramp up and down on the ends with a flat full intensity run for most of the day. Similar to mh/t5.
Although I do change the spectrum for an hour or two in the evening to be more yellow so I can see the true color of the coral compared to the more blue spectrum of the AB+ Coral Lab program.
Did they provide any data of the difference between the Gen 3 and Gen 4?
Outside product enhancements like wifi spectrum, Bluetooth or whatever but more with color spectrum, LED efficiency, LED manufacture, etc. One thing that will always hold me back regarding a closed system is that LED technology is changing pretty rapidly. That and of course package sizes, cooling, price, etc. Well, ignore price.
janci
New member
Looky what just showed up, direct from Ecotech.
Weekend project!
Nice supply. Interested to see the before/after and possible improvements on the tank.
Stunning as usual.
d2mini
Premium Member
Nothing more than what's been released to the general public.
reefanatik
Member
Looky what just showed up, direct from Ecotech.
Weekend project!
Nice!!! I really like my MH and T5s but sometimes I do miss those sleek Radions.
d2mini
Premium Member
Got one Radion G4 Pro installed tonite so I could compare them side by side.
Unfortunately, I don't have a par meter handy at the moment so this is just a visual comparison.
Later I'll test my par with all three and see how they stack up to the old numbers.
First, I was curious about the new power bricks.
On the left is the recent downsized brick from the G3 Pro. Some of you may already be familiar with these.
On the right is the new G4 brick. Obvious size difference.
Now here is a shot showing the G3 Pro on the left and G4 Pro on the right.
I went into Ecosmart live and made the new violet channel the same as the other blues and made the new white channel the same as the other white.
First thing I noticed is the overall brightness. The G4 definitely appears brighter to me.
Part of this is the fact that the lens hangs down below case. If you look at up at the lights, the G4 is a bit blinding. Actually, it almost makes you wonder if the G3 is turned on.
But the tank does appear more illuminated on that side.
Next, I noticed that the spread on the screen top is most definitely wider with the G4.
The lights are 16" off the top of the screen for reference.
And third, personally my favorite difference from a visual standpoint, is the color.
The best way I can describe it is the G4 feels more "full spectrum".
The white channel adds more of the yellow or white side of the spectrum and the violet seems to add more pink.
Running the Coral Lab AB+ program and like I said earlier, adding in the two extra channels on the G4, the G3 has that kind of washed out windex look where the G4 just has richer colors. You can see it in the rock. The rock on the left looks blue, and the rock on the right looks purple.
When both lights are on, it's subtle, but it's definitely there.
Now comes the fun part... lighting them up individually.
Both shots are taken with the same exact exposure, wb, etc.
No photoshopping, just a couple minor adjustments and the exact same adjustments applied to both photos.
The first pic is the G3, second is the G4.
The G3 barely lights up half the tank adequately, whereas the G4 is lighting up more like 3/4 of the tank.
There is obviously a lot more spread.
And now, you can really see the color difference.
You can probably tweak the channels to get the G3 closer to the G4, this is just me keeping the same AB+ program and adding in the two new colors.
Also, notice the spread front to back. The sand bed at the front is dark in pic 1, but lit up bright in pic 2.
Another thing to keep in mind is that my lights are hung front to back, so when just one is lit up, that's really just a one puck width.
The tank is 47" long.
That's it for now.
I'll get the others installed tomorrow.
Unfortunately, I don't have a par meter handy at the moment so this is just a visual comparison.
Later I'll test my par with all three and see how they stack up to the old numbers.
First, I was curious about the new power bricks.
On the left is the recent downsized brick from the G3 Pro. Some of you may already be familiar with these.
On the right is the new G4 brick. Obvious size difference.
Now here is a shot showing the G3 Pro on the left and G4 Pro on the right.
I went into Ecosmart live and made the new violet channel the same as the other blues and made the new white channel the same as the other white.
First thing I noticed is the overall brightness. The G4 definitely appears brighter to me.
Part of this is the fact that the lens hangs down below case. If you look at up at the lights, the G4 is a bit blinding. Actually, it almost makes you wonder if the G3 is turned on.
But the tank does appear more illuminated on that side.
Next, I noticed that the spread on the screen top is most definitely wider with the G4.
The lights are 16" off the top of the screen for reference.
And third, personally my favorite difference from a visual standpoint, is the color.
The best way I can describe it is the G4 feels more "full spectrum".
The white channel adds more of the yellow or white side of the spectrum and the violet seems to add more pink.
Running the Coral Lab AB+ program and like I said earlier, adding in the two extra channels on the G4, the G3 has that kind of washed out windex look where the G4 just has richer colors. You can see it in the rock. The rock on the left looks blue, and the rock on the right looks purple.
When both lights are on, it's subtle, but it's definitely there.
Now comes the fun part... lighting them up individually.
Both shots are taken with the same exact exposure, wb, etc.
No photoshopping, just a couple minor adjustments and the exact same adjustments applied to both photos.
The first pic is the G3, second is the G4.
The G3 barely lights up half the tank adequately, whereas the G4 is lighting up more like 3/4 of the tank.
There is obviously a lot more spread.
And now, you can really see the color difference.
You can probably tweak the channels to get the G3 closer to the G4, this is just me keeping the same AB+ program and adding in the two new colors.
Also, notice the spread front to back. The sand bed at the front is dark in pic 1, but lit up bright in pic 2.
Another thing to keep in mind is that my lights are hung front to back, so when just one is lit up, that's really just a one puck width.
The tank is 47" long.
That's it for now.
I'll get the others installed tomorrow.
reefanatik
Member
Wow. Huge difference in my opinion. Can't wait to see the coral growth and color
d2mini
Premium Member
If anything I would raise them further if the extra PAR is there.
The higher they go, the better the spread.
But they'll probably stay where they are... 17" above the water surface.
Good eye though, I didn't even look back there.
Can't tell if serious? haha
Of course not. It was only a few minutes time. Actually, the nems and gorgonians were closing from me turning the lights OFF.
I am serious. I probably didn't word it right. By new, I meant somewhat different. For me, whenever I started my White LED channel when my T5s were on, the anemones and some corals showed instant reaction. Like something was pinching them. Same thing happened when I put on a completely different brand. However since G3 and G4 are very similar they probably didn't notice. Hope the G4 brings even better results. It's hope for everyone else who had tried Radions before.
d2mini
Premium Member
haha, yeah it's just that i was turning lights on and off, hovering over the tank, etc so any reaction from the coral in that short time couldn't be judged as any effect of the new light.
If I had switched out all three and let them run for an hour or so, then we may have seen something like corals wearing sunglasses. :beachbum:
Jetmech2000
New member
what percentage are you running each channel at?
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