Thinking about switching from T5 to LED

[m0nkie]

I've been slowly making the display tank more easy to care. less dosing, less time consuming corals (SPS), and thinking about less lighting.

I currently run two 8 bulb ATI powermodule with reefbrites. It's been 4-5 years and the lights are in need of maintenance. need some fans replaced and 1 channel ballast replaced.

I'm thinking about switching to 8 Radion Pros. either 3rd gen or 4th gen. I already have 2 laying around collecting dust. so need to buy 6 more.

I'd assume this would cost me about ~$4000 upfront. But i should be able to knock down electricity cost at least $200 a month. With my solar panel I should pay nothing on electricity then. I've been slowly cutting back light periods from 13hours days to 10.. aiming for 8hrs later on.

from a cost saving perspective, do you guys think the swap is worth it?

anyone use Radion lights more than 4-5 years? because if these LED start crapping out in 2-3 years, then probably not worth the swap. takes at least 2years to break even the initial cost

 

[untico]

FWIW I've had my Ai for 3 years with no issues at all


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[solitude127]

[MENTION=213583]pciscott[/MENTION] . He made the same switch.

 

[Sbdud]

Hybrid ?

 

[m0nkie]

Hybrid ?

Powermodules with built in LED

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Absolutely worth it. I was running T5 on a much smaller scale than you and recently switched to Gen 4 Pro XR30. I also have a Gen 4 Pro XR15 that I will be adding to my system that's currently being upgraded. Surprisingly the colors on my coral frags and colonies are actually better now than they were under T5. It's my opinion that to achieve the same colors I'd have to use more bulbs thereby increasing the cost. And the thought of spending $100+ on 4 bulbs every year doesn't sound all too exciting. Can't imagine needing more bulbs than that each year.

 

[m0nkie]

[MENTION=213583]pciscott[/MENTION] . He made the same switch.

Thanks Mike. I recall Scott was raving about how nice it came out. I wonder if radions can last 5+ yrs. I see people upgrading to newer gen before them breaking down

 

[m0nkie]

Absolutely worth it. I was running T5 on a much smaller scale than you and recently switched to Gen 4 Pro XR30. I also have a Gen 4 Pro XR15 that I will be adding to my system that’s currently being upgraded. Surprisingly the colors on my coral frags and colonies are actually better now than they were under T5. It’s my opinion that to achieve the same colors I’d have to use more bulbs thereby increasing the cost. And the thought of spending $100+ on 4 bulbs every year doesn’t sound all too exciting. Can’t imagine needing more bulbs than that each year.

Thats good to hear. I almost forgot about bulb maintenance. I have to replace 32 bulbs a year lol

What % did you run the radions at after the switch? Started low?

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Thats good to hear. I almost forgot about bulb maintenance. I have to replace 32 bulbs a year lol

Lol that's a lot.
I also recommend using the diffuser. They're a little flimsy but coral and anemone seem to be doing better with it than without it.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

What % did you run the radions at after the switch? Started low?

Started at 20% and now at 25%.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

and just for comparison's sake...my OG Bounce below under T5 and Radion. T5 was good and grew a lot of coral. My only colony that looked kinda sad for a month after switching was Rasta but it's doing well now. Everything else did transition just fine.
T5

Radion

 

[thirst]

Go halides or go home.

Just put like 4x400 and call it a day


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[pga7602]

Get more solar panels and go mh!

 

[m0nkie]

I actually bought the MH already, two 4ft Spectra. But they require a chiller. I already run 4 two ft Spectea on the nem tanks. Too much electricity

Changed my mind. Now they are sitting in garage

 

[pga7602]

I actually bought the MH already, two 4ft Spectra. But they require a chiller. I already run 4 two ft Spectea on the nem tanks. Too much electricity

Changed my mind. Now they are sitting in garage

Be like thirst.

 

[m0nkie]

Be like thirst.

That's the goal. Thirst is high up in the balling mountain.

 

[HAMreef]

Those zoas!


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[five.five-six]

Go halides or go home.

Just put like 4x400 and call it a day


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This^^^^^

I absolutely love my 400's. Until summer and I have to put the 250's back in

250's still look great

 

[Zatoichi]

I switched from metal halide and t5 to LED can't go wrong

radians are like the iPhone of thlll reef industry no one ever keeps them as long as they could go because they are status symbols so must be upgraded whenever a new model comes out

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[hersheyb]

have you looked into orpheks? i've been using them for 2-3 years now, very happy with them... and each unit has better coverage than the radions, so you'll need less units, so it's cheaper.