Radion Coverage and upgrades

[scott11]

Purchased a Gen 1 xr30 with 80 TIR lenses for my 36"x24"x24" tank.

Looks pretty good, some shadows at the ends of the tank, but not horrible.


I dont need to grow sps at the edges of the tank, but feel I do need a little more coverage than I have now.

Considering getting the 120 lenses to see how that helps. Will upgrading to a gen 3 give any greater coverage? Debating purchasing a second light, but if I can get better coverage with an upgrade, I would rather do that.

Where can I get the 120 lenses, dont see it online.

 

[dendrite]

ecotechmarine > store> radion> accessories> wide angle tir. I'd still go with a second light. Looks better, even without growing sps on sides

 

[davehead86]

You can have 1 light on a 36" tank but it wont look that good even with the 120 TIR lenses. The gen 3 upgrade is an improvement in the LED but it does not provide a wider angle.

thats just my opinion though.

 

[mfinn]

I started a thread on this subject on a similar sized tank.
The general consensus was that with the wide angle lens you would get decent coverage, but not perfect.

I would also suggest doing the upgrade to gen 3 if it's in the budget.
I upgraded all mine to gen 3 and love the color.

Personally I think 2 XR15's would be perfect for a 36" long tank.

 

[scott11]

What exactly is the difference with the upgraded models? Is it more par / efficiency, or different color options etc? Got a deal on the gen 1 without knowing much about them. I have always used AI in the past

 

[Alex Y EcoTech]

What exactly is the difference with the upgraded models? Is it more par / efficiency, or different color options etc? Got a deal on the gen 1 without knowing much about them. I have always used AI in the past

Scott,

A G3 Pro upgrade will nearly double the amount of power your Radion and improve your lights color spectrum. For more information, please see the following link: http://store.ecotechmarine.com/store/radion/upgrades

 

[Drichard]

Any idea when the upgrade kits will be in

 

[SoloGarth]

Raising the lights performs the same function as adding wider optics. I understand for those using a hood that isn't an option though.

I have my radions at 12.5"

 

[MizTanks]

Recently acquired a Gen 1 with 120° optics. Gotta say I'm impressed with the coverage on my 36" 40B at just 11 1/2" from surface.
I do plan on upgrading to Gen3 as advised but I'm loving it now as is [emoji1]

 

[scott11]

So, I went to purchase the wide lenses, and the ecotech site wants $11 for shipping. These should ship in an envelope for $1 or $2.

Is it worth almost $50 for the lenses? I am guessing I will get a second unit once my tank grows out, so I do really want to spend the money on these lenses now just to take them off in the future

 

[dendrite]

Why would you take the wide angle off? With two lights and the wide angle lenses you will have nice overlap and none of the spot light effect. I bought a used Gen 3 pro with the wide angle lenses already mounted. They show up on RC periodically

 

[scott11]

With 2 xr30 over a 36" tank, I would think I would have light spilling out the sides with the wide lense.

 

[dendrite]

I have 5 30's on a 72 inch 180 gallon reef with lights #1,3, and 5 having the wide angle tir and lights #2, and 4 having the standard tir lenses and there is little to no light spillage. In the real world the coverage estimates from the manufacturers are wildly optimistic

 

[mfinn]

With 2 xr30 over a 36" tank, I would think I would have light spilling out the sides with the wide lense.

I don't think you would.
I have 4 gen3 upgrades with wide angle lens on each over my 240.
The ones on the ends are centered 9-1/2" from the ends of the tank and I'm not seeing light spilling out the sides.

Light spillage is probably like having a mh bulb with no reflector.

 

[scott11]

Ok, guess it try it out. Now just want the gen 1 upgrades to become available.

 

[dendrite]

seems like ecotech is out of every upgrade. You wonder how a major player could let that happen. Someone asleep at the switch or not paying their suppliers. I did a gen 2 to a gen 3 pro upgrade one month ago. It worked out well. Good luck to you

 

[scott11]

OK, looking at picking up a second unit, probably a gen 3 pro. Until I am able to upgrade my gen 1, if I want the units to have equal out put, how should I use the settings? I am on apex.

For example, if the gen 1 is running 60% max, do I run the gen 3 at 30% max? I am sure its not that simple, but just looking for ideas so I dont burn the corals.

 

[dendrite]

I don't know about the apex and radions but on the ecosmart live you cant individually program the different lights on the same network. I suppose you could give each light a different group, name and treat them as separate networks and program them individually, or you could just say you have two radions with wide angle lenses on a 36 inch tank and a ton of overlap and not worry about it. Just judge success by how the corals are doing. There are so many other variables with these lights that whether one or the other has more or less UV or a bit more par probably is the least of your worries

 

[scott11]

ok, so next question- I now have 2 units, both older models.

Do I go with upgrades to gen 3 or gen 3 pro? Seems like with 2 lights the gen 3 should be plenty. Lots of rockwork, and 3 inches of sand, so most corals will be in the top 2/3 of the tank.

 

[mfinn]

ok, so next question- I now have 2 units, both older models.

Do I go with upgrades to gen 3 or gen 3 pro? Seems like with 2 lights the gen 3 should be plenty. Lots of rockwork, and 3 inches of sand, so most corals will be in the top 2/3 of the tank.

I guess it would depend on what you want to keep or ever hope to keep.
If you thought you were going to be into clams and light demanding species of sps, then go gen 3 pro.
If mixed, then just a gen 3 would do. IMO