Feelingsalty33
New member
Does ecotech have good
Customer service and is that light worth the money?
Customer service and is that light worth the money?
ecotech radion
- Thread starter Feelingsalty33
- Start date
Windirmere
New member
Im stuck on the fence for lights as well, but i seem to be leaning towards AI due to more mounting options :S
Feelingsalty33
New member
Very true I'm between ai hydra 52 of the radion gen 3 pro and I don't know what to get. I like the mounting options for ai but I love how much you can upgrade the radions
haha I face this everyday so far
Feelingsalty33
New member
Still deciding
fishgate
Active member
I think the Radions are incredibly overpriced. I am looking at these.
http://www.barrierreefaquariums.com...2060-24-LED-Custom-Tuned-by-BRA-515p11451.htm
http://www.barrierreefaquariums.com...2060-24-LED-Custom-Tuned-by-BRA-515p11451.htm
origreefer
Member
Please stop posting links to cheap chinese lights, they are junk compared to Ecotech. Not even comparable.
kevin_austin
New member
It depends what you want. I bought the 24" Evergrow/OEM brand for $135 and it works extremely well for my needs.
Yes, you can spend $600, $700, $800 or more for the same PAR and coverage and have all the extra bells and whistles. However, if you aren't all that interested in being able to map out your spectrum from your computer, set 10 minute intensity increments, or control your lights from your Android phone, a simple 2 channel light with a couple of Home Depot timers might be just fine.
For someone setting up a 72" reef, they can spend $405 (3 fixtures) on the Evergrows or $2400 on something else. Some won't want to spend $2400 on their entire setup, never mind the lights.
Like it or not, cheap, reasonable options are here to stay. This shouldn't make you feel bad about your expensive purchase of the same PAR lights. You had reasons for purchasing it. However, don't assume everyone has the same requirements or desires as you.
A very reasonable lighting solution can be made with these cheap LEDs. Furthermore, most places selling them (Barrier Reef, Reef Breeders, Ocean Revive, etc.) offer solid warranties and customer service.
So, I would encourage folks to continue to share options, no matter how cheap or expensive they are. :beer:
p.s. When did it become a requirement that your lighting had to be able to simulate a storm while streaming you a video of the latest Glee episode? Didn't we get along just fine with fluorescents and metal halides that had just two modes: on and off? Heck, in the case of metal halides, the on mode was more like the ............on mode.
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I have 6 radions .I tried the Chinese lights they work well but dont have the control ability or customer support and upgradabilty .leds are starting to burn out after 18months.Radions are American made , upgradable and outstanding service? The Chinese lights are basically disposable
kevin_austin
New member
With a 2 year warranty and for $135, they are a great deal. After 2 years, they will be working (even if warranty work was needed). Also, having only spent $135 they can be sold for say $60 and new ones purchased with the latest LEDs.
Disposable might be one way to look at it. However, upgrading those Radions is not cheap. It usually costs at least 50% of the price of a new fixture.
Again, with a 2 year warranty and $135, it is really hard to beat. You could spend $800 on an expensive fixture and another $400 to upgrade in 2 years. It just doesn't make much sense to me. Even if an LED burnt out in the Evergrow fixture, you could bump it from 60% to 70% output to compensate. Of course, folks like Reef Builders and Barrier Reef* will have cheap replacement parts.
For $135, it would actually be a lot cheaper to buy Evergrow fixtures every 2 years rather than replace metal halide bulbs over that two year period (not even including the initial MH fixture and ballast cost). And, of course, the Radion upgrade will blow everything else out of the water in terms of cost.
I actually think I'm going to stay away from the more complex fixtures (even the Evergrow IT* series) because of the added complexity. A very simple fixture with just intensity dials and easily replaceable LEDs is going to be much more reliable, easier to deal with, and easier to fix. I'm hoping that this is the best $135 I've spent on aquarium supplies.
*This is an awesome place. If you are every in the Seattle area, you should check them out. Their Evergrow tanks look amazing.
Just upgrade my Vega color units to the Hydra 52 last night and I'm impressed with the spread of these lights and the intensity / power of the LED's is unreal.
After I plugged in both of my Hydra's after the upgrade, I couldn't believe the difference between the Vega Color and Hydra 52 light distribution and the intensity of these LED's. My fish actually freaked out when they turned on at full power, prior to me updating the Hydra 52 with my AI Director controller.
Once I adjusted the intensities, the fish were fine and the corals looked amazing. Since my corals have been used to my Vega's for over a year and a half and which there are 32 more LED's per fixture raining down on the tank times two, I think I'll lower the intensities for awhile and let my corals adjust to these new lights. As for the UV and Violet LED's, I'm starting at 7% for now.
As for the Radion lights, these lights are amazing in there own right as well and have the same controllability and intensity as the AI LED's.
Both AI and Ecotech Marine has some of the best customer service departments you could ask for and their products are made in the USA.
Just to let you know, I do own Ecotech Marine products, which I have two Vortech MP40's along with there Reeflink Controller and let me tell you, Ecotech Marine is in a league of there own.
In closing, Both Ecotech and AI are great companies and have excellent products, so when your plopping down $600.00 to $750.00 dollars per light fixture, you have to make the best decision based on your wants and needs and go for it.
When I have time over the weekend, I'll some pictures or videos of my Hydra 52 and tank, which will give you a basis to go by.
Thanks,
Randy
roberto_lopes
Member
Go slow after the upgrade Randy.
They are really much more powerfull than the Vegas. Drop your intensities .
They are really much more powerfull than the Vegas. Drop your intensities .
firemountain
New member
I am looking into lighting myself for my new 65g setup. What I have learned thus far, is to focus on the important things and don't skimp. Have a long and short list, must haves, needs, and wants.
Most importantly, try not to spend money twice. Would I love an apex controller, absolutely...but I have to prioritize....but when I look for items to purchase, I look for Apex Ready items to purchase now, that way when I get the Apex system, I will be ready to just plug and play.
Most importantly, try not to spend money twice. Would I love an apex controller, absolutely...but I have to prioritize....but when I look for items to purchase, I look for Apex Ready items to purchase now, that way when I get the Apex system, I will be ready to just plug and play.
Dmorty217
Saltwater Addict
You want Cree LEDs on whatever you choose to buy not Bridgelux, if you only want to buy once. Anyone who thinks Ecotech is overpriced then also thinks Apex is overpriced and wouldn't listen to them anyway. If you want quality those two company's come 2nd to none as far as customer service goes and the products speak for themselves
