Reeferhead's 150DD Build

I hear you on the GFO. I have a dual reactor running carbon and GFO. I couldn't see spending 120 bucks on a jumbo reactor. I just bought another single canister running carbon in that one, and GFO in the dual. I just figured out that I should be running 4 cups of GFO in my system, not 2. No wonder why I have so much algae.
 
zero26 said:
I hear you on the GFO. I have a dual reactor running carbon and GFO. I couldn't see spending 120 bucks on a jumbo reactor. I just bought another single canister running carbon in that one, and GFO in the dual. I just figured out that I should be running 4 cups of GFO in my system, not 2. No wonder why I have so much algae.
Click to expand...

Does the Dual do a good job running GFO in both canisters? I thought about trying it.
 
Let me know how it goes. I was worried one chamber might slow up faster than another, though from a physics standpoint that shouldn't happen. :)
 
Reeferhead said:
Sorry, I'm not sure where exactly on Sanjay's your pointing me. Do you think the Radions don't have enough penetration because of their choice of wide optics? If I ever get them they'll be hung very low = short canopy
Click to expand...

Exactly. Go to : LEDs - Echotech Radion ...

I saw them at gateway and was ready to make the commitment but then I found that link.
 
We used a par meter on the Radions as well as other LED's and the Radions were showing around 200 par on the sand in a 30" deep tank as well as seeing the best growth I have seen personally in one months time. Im still sold
 
Schplitter said:
Exactly. Go to : LEDs - Echotech Radion ...

I saw them at gateway and was ready to make the commitment but then I found that link.
Click to expand...

Sanjay's readings can be a little bit deceiving. Watt for watt the par values are not that much different than the AI's. The primary difference is the in the lighting department is the spread. For my purpose a fixture like the AIs wouldn't really work as they would need to be hug at least 10-12" to get the same spread I could get with the Radions at about 4". My canopy is only 9" high. If I pull the trigger I'll put two Radions fairly close together in the center of my tank. This should get me about the same lighting intensity and penetration at a fraction of my current wattage. However, the real difference in price between the Radions and other LED fixtures out there is the control factor. I'm almost sold but its actually Neptune who might seal the deal for me if they ever make the Radion compatible with the Apex/WXM
 
Reeferhead said:
Sanjay's readings can be a little bit deceiving. Watt for watt the par values are not that much different than the AI's. The primary difference is the in the lighting department is the spread. For my purpose a fixture like the AIs wouldn't really work as they would need to be hug at least 10-12" to get the same spread I could get with the Radions at about 4". My canopy is only 9" high. If I pull the trigger I'll put two Radions fairly close together in the center of my tank. This should get me about the same lighting intensity and penetration at a fraction of my current wattage. However, the real difference in price between the Radions and other LED fixtures out there is the control factor. I'm almost sold but its actually Neptune who might seal the deal for me if they ever make the Radion compatible with the Apex/WXM
Click to expand...

Look at the Apollo lights. I have one on my frag tank running through my apex and am extremely impressed. I still think they could tweak their optics a bit but overall I am shocked at the growth I am getting

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
 
Reeferhead said:
Sanjay's readings can be a little bit deceiving. Watt for watt the par values are not that much different than the AI's. The primary difference is the in the lighting department is the spread. For my purpose a fixture like the AIs wouldn't really work as they would need to be hug at least 10-12" to get the same spread I could get with the Radions at about 4". My canopy is only 9" high. If I pull the trigger I'll put two Radions fairly close together in the center of my tank. This should get me about the same lighting intensity and penetration at a fraction of my current wattage. However, the real difference in price between the Radions and other LED fixtures out there is the control factor. I'm almost sold but its actually Neptune who might seal the deal for me if they ever make the Radion compatible with the Apex/WXM
Click to expand...

Well get on it before I get my tank built. If you like them... I need to start skimming money slowly.
 
chadscamaro said:
We used a par meter on the Radions as well as other LED's and the Radions were showing around 200 par on the sand in a 30" deep tank as well as seeing the best growth I have seen personally in one months time. Im still sold
Click to expand...

Coolest light out there. No questions there. Time will tell how people really like them and what kind of growth they get. If I didn't have a complete MH setup just sitting around I would definitively try them but I can just wait until someone else like reeferhead tests them :)
 
Schplitter said:
Coolest light out there. No questions there. Time will tell how people really like them and what kind of growth they get. If I didn't have a complete MH setup just sitting around I would definitively try them but I can just wait until someone else like reeferhead tests them :)
Click to expand...

You know you are saying you REALLY want them, don't you:D?
 
I've heard good things about the Apollo lights but what exactly can you control with the Apex? just on/off and dim?

Something makes me a little wary about buying from one of the seemingly endless different LED manufactures that pop up every 4-6 months. Will they still be around providing good customer service 5-10 years down the road when I’ll likely really need them? Will upgrade options be available in the future as LED technology rapidly develops? Or will I have to by all new lights. I’ve been very happy with Ecotech’s customer service and their business model with their pumps. They still provide service and hardware/firmware upgrades for even their earliest models. The Radion seems to be designed with future upgrades in mind. I’m certainly open to other options but when spending this much money, I like to weigh my options very carefully.
 
If I had a smaller tank setup I would definitely be trying something:D As it is, the extreme cost factor doesn't outweigh the electricity and bulb replacements for as many as I would need.
 
Nanook said:
If I had a smaller tank setup I would definitely be trying something:D As it is, the extreme cost factor doesn't outweigh the electricity and bulb replacements for as many as I would need.
Click to expand...


Have you ever done the math to figure out the total savings and how many years it would take for the LEDs to pay for themselves? Not just powering the fixture and bulb replacement, you need to calculate reduction in cooling costs as well. If it's less than 7 you should consider it, just like any other home efficiency.
 
I spend about $1500-1600/year for all bulbs and electricity associated with running them and cooling. With the large footprint of my tanks, it would take a lot of fixtures to cover them.
 
It would cost $360/year to run 12 LED fixtures at 120 watts each. The cost of 12 LED fixtures for Radion's would be $9600. If I run what I have right now over 7 years it would be $11,200. If I run the Radions, with electricity and cost of fixtures, it would be $12,120. That is pretty much a wash and I really like the look of my Phoenix 14K and VHO combos.
 
Nanook said:
It would cost $360/year to run 12 LED fixtures at 120 watts each. The cost of 12 LED fixtures for Radion's would be $9600. If I run what I have right now over 7 years it would be $11,200. If I run the Radions, with electricity and cost of fixtures, it would be $12,120. That is pretty much a wash and I really like the look of my Phoenix 14K and VHO combos.
Click to expand...

Nook I would have to agree in the bigger systems LED technology just isn't there yet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

E
4x2x2 Acrylic reel tank and stand for sale
Replies
4
Views
268
ebe
E
A
Large reef tank from years ago?
Replies
5
Views
185
polywise
polywise
R
Sandbed depth question
Replies
9
Views
329
Guygettnby
Guygettnby
skeeter_ca
How do i alternate two closed loop system DC pumps.
Replies
11
Views
217
wvned
wvned
T
Alternative Lighting for Biocube 29
Replies
0
Views
113
thommyboy12183
T
Back
Top