Can someone tell me why they chose the vertex illumina over the radions? are they that much better? I herd people are getting great results from the radions? I was looking at a 2 foot cube to do sps tank and I like the illumina personally over the raidions as I think they are made better. Vertex state that you only need to have a 1 foot unit over a 2 foot tank? Currently in Australia they retail for $1250. The radions are $950. Some of the research I have done says that the radions give a better spred and have a much higher PAR reading. But again vertex say this as well. :headwally:
vertex illumina or radions?
- Thread starter luk81a
- Start date
geniusloci
New member
Afaik the Radions use lenses so they cannot give you better spread than the Illumina. As for reasons - I've stated some in the other thread, but I live in Europe 
Don't read too much into what the manufacturers say:
It is easy:
1- They use comparable LEDs
2- Radion uses less white compare to Vertex and drives the White LEDs at a higher current
3- Vertex uses more LEDs and drives at a lower current
Having said that the LEDs should produce comparable amount of light, if any of them says somehow magically they have more PAR using the same LEDs then that is BS.
However Radion uses a reflector which focuses the light in a smaller area so right under the lamp you will have more PAR than Vertex, but again since there are no Reflectors in Vertex they wil have a better spread than Radion.
Bottom line is this; they both have more than enough PAR to grow corals choose the one you like best!
For both fixtures people have to tune them way down! You should not have any issue growing corals under Vertex or Radion.
How tall is your tank and how close would you like to mount the light to the water surface?
Are you going to be using legs or Hang from ceiling?
Cheers,
Dave
It is easy:
1- They use comparable LEDs
2- Radion uses less white compare to Vertex and drives the White LEDs at a higher current
3- Vertex uses more LEDs and drives at a lower current
Having said that the LEDs should produce comparable amount of light, if any of them says somehow magically they have more PAR using the same LEDs then that is BS.
However Radion uses a reflector which focuses the light in a smaller area so right under the lamp you will have more PAR than Vertex, but again since there are no Reflectors in Vertex they wil have a better spread than Radion.
Bottom line is this; they both have more than enough PAR to grow corals choose the one you like best!
For both fixtures people have to tune them way down! You should not have any issue growing corals under Vertex or Radion.
How tall is your tank and how close would you like to mount the light to the water surface?
Are you going to be using legs or Hang from ceiling?
Cheers,
Dave
BigAl2007
Active member
Luxo have you considered the GHL Mitras? It's positioned to really make a bold statement in the LED arena with this new light. More details can be found at
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2181292
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2181292
bhazard451
New member
$1250? $950? That's insane.
Before I made my own DIY light, I ran these chinese fixtures over my 2ft cube with SPS. Worked just as good, and they're only $170-265. They can customize the leds you want to use, and you won't have to pay too much extra to ship to Austrailia.
This is one with a built in controller:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...nd-coral-fish-bank-120w/709204_545851661.html
This is one with manual dimming:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...nd-coral-fish-bank-120w/709204_545851661.html
I've tested these against my friends Radion, and they are just as bright, and put out similar PAR numbers. In most cases, they were higher. I've also torn them apart to see the internals, and they are made very well.
Neither the Radion or the Vertex are using the newest, most efficient Crees, and you need to spend $100 more for the UV module on the Vertex which I find essential for proper coloring.
The chinese ones are the smarter choice until better/cheaper fixtures come out. Even if you squeezed two of them over the same cube, you'd get more output than a Radion and its still 1/3 of the price for you.
Ok thanks. I just hear a lot that you only get what you pay for. Those chinese units I have had before but not that particular brand. I had 2 octopus 120w 1w/LED units over my 4' tank, that all look the same from china, the fans were way too noisy, and they didnt produce the shimmer effect as the more expensive ones do. I do like the dimming and controller effect though.
Anyone hear much about the vertex lumalux aqua sticks (Marino Bianco)? apparently the same LED's as in the illumina but without the fancy light shows. which then cuts the price tag by half. App $600 au.
Anyone hear much about the vertex lumalux aqua sticks (Marino Bianco)? apparently the same LED's as in the illumina but without the fancy light shows. which then cuts the price tag by half. App $600 au.
bhazard451
New member
I switched over to a DIY light to run off my Apex, since that's the only thing they couldn't do without modification. I have a bunch of pics in the chinese led thread of lights I ran for about 2-3 months.
Tank itself is only 4 months old without much coral, but I have had some growth from my 1 sps stick and several softies. Maxima clam on the sand bed has never been happier.
The AIs, Illuminas, and Radions have great software features, but their actual output is lacking with their stock lighting arrangements. You are basically buying leds that are 2 generations old compared to their newer counterparts, the Cree XT-E and XP-G2, and paying a premium to do so.
Tank itself is only 4 months old without much coral, but I have had some growth from my 1 sps stick and several softies. Maxima clam on the sand bed has never been happier.
The AIs, Illuminas, and Radions have great software features, but their actual output is lacking with their stock lighting arrangements. You are basically buying leds that are 2 generations old compared to their newer counterparts, the Cree XT-E and XP-G2, and paying a premium to do so.
Englishmatt
New member
Marine Depot thread
Marine Depot thread
Go check out the Marine Depot forum in Vendors.
Jeremy did a really nice job of comparing the AI SOL, Radions and Vertex.
Good pics of the light spread as well as PAR number.
Thanks,
Matt.
Marine Depot thread
Go check out the Marine Depot forum in Vendors.
Jeremy did a really nice job of comparing the AI SOL, Radions and Vertex.
Good pics of the light spread as well as PAR number.
Thanks,
Matt.
Actually the new vertex Illumina uses XTE for white and RB.
.@ Big Al, I like the added colors of Mitra though probably not needed at all. Most of the radion users I know appreciate the red but find the green useless. Not sure about other colors as I have never used them.
What I dont like about Mitra is just that the fan blows in the LED compartment.
Personally I find the Radion andVertex much better design.
Cheers,
Dave
.@ Big Al, I like the added colors of Mitra though probably not needed at all. Most of the radion users I know appreciate the red but find the green useless. Not sure about other colors as I have never used them.
What I dont like about Mitra is just that the fan blows in the LED compartment.
Personally I find the Radion andVertex much better design.
Cheers,
Dave
bhazard451
New member
Ahh, I didn't know that. In that case I prefer the Vertex over a Radion easily.
jmvaldes80
New member
So, I did some investigation on the Vertex Illumia and why BRS and Premiumaquatics doesn't carry the illumina.
I started by emailing a British vender to inquire if they ship international. However, they shut me down quick. No, they did not with no explaination. Try to figure out why they would not dare to ship internationally, I remembered the patent issues and how more importantly the fixture will not work on our grid. (UK 220/US 110).
I then searched for countries with the same grids as the US, turns out Canada has the same grid. I then emailed JL Aquatics in British Columbia. I got word from them that they do ship to the US, but that there is one US retailer left, Proline Aquatics in California.
Ecstatic that there possibly might still be a vendor in our great nation, I saught out Proline Aquatics' sales team.
There is **** news and good news... **** News: Vertex illumina is extinct... Went out of product last year. Good News: there is a new model coming out Spring 2016.
Let's see! Just around the time I'll be ready to fire my 40 build up.
I started by emailing a British vender to inquire if they ship international. However, they shut me down quick. No, they did not with no explaination. Try to figure out why they would not dare to ship internationally, I remembered the patent issues and how more importantly the fixture will not work on our grid. (UK 220/US 110).
I then searched for countries with the same grids as the US, turns out Canada has the same grid. I then emailed JL Aquatics in British Columbia. I got word from them that they do ship to the US, but that there is one US retailer left, Proline Aquatics in California.
Ecstatic that there possibly might still be a vendor in our great nation, I saught out Proline Aquatics' sales team.
There is **** news and good news... **** News: Vertex illumina is extinct... Went out of product last year. Good News: there is a new model coming out Spring 2016.
Let's see! Just around the time I'll be ready to fire my 40 build up.
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