EcoTech Radion vs Aquaillumination Sol
- Thread starter alrha
- Start date
pmrossetti
Active member
correct, the Sol is also much stronger than 250w mh.
this is important as it gives leeway to fixture height and tank coverage and color adjustng.
MedRed
Active member
In that case, a splash would affect the Radion the same as it would another fixture.
Ecotech says the coverage is the same as what AI claims (24x24). I have 2 AI's over my tank and just ordered 2 Radions. The advantages for me will be the full RBG spectrum. I'll agree that the AI's are a better bang for the buck, but the Radions offer the premium of a full spectrum and ultimately more capability.
AI disclaims the 400 watt MH claim and also says that overall the fixture is more comparable to a 250 watt fixture
pmrossetti
Active member
AI disclaims the 400 watt MH claim and also says that overall the fixture is more comparable to a 250 watt fixture
i know what they say, but look at any par measurements and they're more powerful than 250s
In that case, a splash would affect the Radion the same as it would another fixture.
correct, but other fixtures are powerful enough to mount higher or punch thru a glass tank cover.
also, if you adjust the color on a Radion you must turn it down which then is less than a 250w
AI could just release more colors for an increased spectrum.
i know what they say, but look at any par measurements and they're more powerful than 250s
In that case, a splash would affect the Radion the same as it would another fixture.
correct, but other fixtures are powerful enough to mount higher or punch thru a glass tank cover.
also, if you adjust the color on a Radion you must turn it down which then is less than a 250w
AI could just release more colors for an increased spectrum.
AQD_ottawa
New member
If you work on dollars per watt and plus functionality Radion wins the game.
pmrossetti
Active member
dollars per watt is dubious. how does it win on functionallity?
mthomp
New member
I looked at the radions at macna between my shifts there and i was impressed at first but after watching their coraless demos of the system I became less impressed. the red and greens seem like a waste of leds to me. I do not feel my coral will benefit from those colors in growth or color in fact it almost seems like it may wash out some of the color. with the AI being half the cost, having wireless access and with them changing how the light is focused, no more hot spots in the middle of the tank, I feel AI comes out on top once again.
AQD_ottawa
New member
Full spectrum capability is just a starting gun shot on that debate.
MedRed
Active member
That is also misleading as the light spread is not adequate with the stock optics IMO. After raising my lights, I switched back to the stock 40º optics. I had many areas that were completely in shadow that were under good light when it was 70º optics. I was also able to see my tank being lit with one stock optic fixture and then with one all 70º. Visually, I didn't find either as a suitable replacement for a single metal halide fixture.
Using all 70º optics makes a huge difference in the spread but also dramatically curtails par readings. Considering the Radion has exactly every LED that the AI Sol has down to the brand... plus the whites are overdriven, plus 2 more whites, plus 2 more blues, plus 4 more royal blues, plus almost double the wattage... it all comes down to the optics. I have to think that the Radions are going for better light spread versus punching holes thru the glass cover.
We don't know anything about how these measurements were conducted. The Radions may be achieving 250 watts with spread and par whereas the AI's are just doing it on par. I suspect we'll see some third party tests soon to answer these questions.
mthomp
New member
the new AI they took into consideration how water and the glass on our tanks affect the light. They will now have more focus towards the outer areas of our tanks with the glass helping to redirect light back to the center. At least that is how i understood it from the reps at macna.
pmrossetti
Active member
yes,i'm not sure about this full spectrum thing yet.doesn't the ocean filter out the reds anyway?
but i love the moon cycles on the AI.
and they come in black now
MedRed
Active member
have a full spectrum light with a spectral graph closer to metal halide will probably mean your corals will look less washed out. The red and green offer a slight benefit to your corals but will provide more benefit for your viewing pleasure. I wouldn't be swapping AI's out (that I paid full MSRP for mind you) for a more expensive fixture if I didn't see something there that's missing in the AI's. AI's are great quality and will get the job done. I Feel that the Radions will get the job done better, but there is a price premium.
pmrossetti
Active member
MedRed
Active member
yes,i'm not sure about this full spectrum thing yet.doesn't the ocean filter out the reds anyway?
but i love the moon cycles on the AI.
and they come in black now
The deep ocean does, but corals also live in very shallow water such as shown in "How rare is this" thread. Also, we don't look at our corals in the ocean. We try to create lighting that aesthetically appeals to us as well as benefit the corals.
pmrossetti
Active member
the Radion has better spread, but the cost means its too close to the water, bottom line. imo unless Ecotech says splashes won't harm your 800dollars.
pmrossetti
Active member
MedRed
Active member
What? my AI's were 6" over my water before I moved them up for better spread less than a month ago. They are still alive and kicking. We have no idea how far up or down we need to hang the Radion to get acceptable par. That will take someone actually reviewing their units.
SkullV
They Got My Number
Get off this splash thing man. The Diode optics will not burst if splashed and all other electronics are sealed. Did you not see the photo of the internals in one of the many other radion threads you are posting in?
