Radions - worst light fixtures in its class

[SamsReef]

I recently posted on bulkreefsupply my feedback on radion fixtures and thought of putting it up here as well.

I have been a long term user of Radion lights since Generation 3, all the way up to Generation 6. I have come to conclusion that they compromise health of corals for looks(extreme blue look).

Radion lights have several issues, but the three major ones are as follows:

1. The spectrum they use is too blue, which is not healthy for corals. I discovered this because I used other fixtures in my frag tanks, which are connected to the same system. The health and colors, particularly on my Goniopora, were much more vivid when using ATI T5 lights on one frag tank and Reef Breeders lights on the other.

2. Radion lights, especially Generation 5, have a very high failure rate. EcoTech often claims water damage as the cause, but my fixtures were hanging a foot over an open tank. All three of my Generation 5 lights died within three years.

3. Radion lights are too noisy and require regular cleaning of the fan intake. I used to have 8 of them and the noise was baaad.

In contrast, I have been very pleased with Reef Breeders and Illumagic lights. I will warn that One set of LEDs from reef breeders is too yellow, but perhaps this is helping my corals develop more resilience and develop more pigments.

In conclusion, please do not blindly invest money in Radion lights, hoping that they are the gold standard and you are doing good by your corals. I will encourage you to consider other lighting options. You will likely be happier with the results.

PS: to be fair Gen 4 fixtures were solid and have outlived all other Gens in my tank and did not have any of the above mentioned issues.

Sam

 

[VintageReefer]

I cringe when I see new reefers thinking they need to spend thousands on radions for their tank.

Reefbreeders Photon 48v2 owner

 

[GlassMunky]

In conclusion, please do not blindly invest money in Radion lights, hoping that they are the gold standard and you are doing good by your corals.

Sam

Here’s your problem right here.
Never blindly just trust someone that the new thing is the greatest. As you mentioned the earlier models were AMAZING. I’m still running my Gen4 Pros over my 220 now and they are amazing still and don’t have any of the issues you stated.

Your problem was Blindly believing The marketing hype and not doing research of your own and then you try and make this blanket statement they are all trash…. Thats not how this works.


Pretty much any LED at this point in the hobby will be able to grow your corals if you use it correctly (proper amount for spread and check PAR) so its up to you to find one that fits your budget and works for your tank layout and corals you keep.

 

[SamsReef]

Here’s your problem right here.
Never blindly just trust someone that the new thing is the greatest. As you mentioned the earlier models were AMAZING. I’m still running my Gen4 Pros over my 220 now and they are amazing still and don’t have any of the issues you stated.

Your problem was Blindly believing The marketing hype and not doing research of your own and then you try and make this blanket statement they are all trash…. Thats not how this works.


Pretty much any LED at this point in the hobby will be able to grow your corals if you use it correctly (proper amount for spread and check PAR) so its up to you to find one that fits your budget and works for your tank layout and corals you keep.

GlassMonky,

you misunderstood the intention of my post. I am not looking for your help. If I was blindly doing stuff, I would not be successful in this hobby for 19 years and counting. I have several different light fixtures including ATI, reef breeder, Illumagic along with 4 Gen4 radios that still works.

i am sharing this feedback with very specific drawback with their current line of fixtures for the benefits of others so new reefers can benefit for it. Bulksreef supply is pushing these fixtures with a large recommended badge.

Sam

 

[VintageReefer]

It’s no secret that the gen4 was a great fixture and then as they moved gen5 and eventually gen6 that end users were impressed with color blending improvement but greatly disappointed with par reductions.

One of these experiences frame cracks due to a misdesign. Ecotech will send free parts to fix. But yea my overall impression is “they ain’t what they used to be”

I wish they would make the old ones and let us pick what version to buy. A new unused gen4 is appealing to me

 

[Doctorgori]

Sorta a click bait topic as this light has a pretty loyal following and the Loyalist are sure to chime in…

IME all the newer stuff is fine for growing corals; it’s just a matter of durability/longevity at this point …

Pretty much any LED at this point in the hobby will be able to grow your corals if you use it correctly (proper amount for spread and check PAR) so its up to you to find one that fits your budget and works for your tank layout and corals you keep.

Anything BRS pushes has to be viewed with a side eye ….
I’m sure margins have nothing to do with it

 

[SamsReef]

Sorta a click bait topic as this light has a pretty loyal following and the Loyalist are sure to chime in…

Certainly not looking for subscribers or selling anything. I am trying to generate awareness for sure.

Along with poor spectrum, horrible longevity for the price, the fans get super noisy and the hav to clean the cover of the fan regularly.

Sam

 

[VintageReefer]

the par output on xr15’s…I see people all the time complaining the xr15’s are not giving enough output over their larger tank. And then they find out they really needed xr30’s at $1000 each

Regarding the title I don’t know if I would say they are the worst in their class but I would say they are the worst value

 

[SamsReef]

the par output on xr15’s…I see people all the time complaining the xr15’s are not giving enough output over their larger tank. And then they find out they really needed xr30’s at $1000 each

Regarding the title I don’t know if I would say they are the worst in their class but I would say they are the worst value

Par has never been an issue for me with Radion. It’s the spectrum of that PAR. Too blue (atleast with gen 5 and 6).

“Class” takes into consideration watts and price.

Sam

 

[DanyL]

They are overly priced fixtures, with a pretty limited spectrum.

Most light fixtures would be more or less on the same level with them, or above.

I agree about the Gen 4, it’s the most good looking spectrum they ever made imo.

 

[JGT]

I think Sam’s intent was to say to new reefers, do your homework and don’t believe the hype.

I also think like a lot of things in life, individual mileage may vary.
I have had 7 Gen 5’s for 4 years. Bought them all used. Still running strong.
Biggest problem I have in my tank is my corals growing too well resulting in coral warfare and having to constantly frag them. Have never had to do any type of maintenance on the fans. I check every few months and still relatively clean. Lights are in a canopy so while the fans can be heard when they turn on ((which isn’t often) mine aren’t loud.
Would I buy these again? Probably. But I’d also consider others that have come along in the lighting market.

 

[SamsReef]

They are overly priced fixtures, with a pretty limited spectrum.

Most light fixtures would be more or less on the same level with them, or above.

I agree about the Gen 4, it’s the most good looking spectrum they ever made imo.

I am hoping they read customer feedback

 

[exnisstech]

Just following to see how long this thread is allowed here. I started a thread complaining about mobius and the time date issue and the mods shut it down and moved it to the vendor feedback forum.
I don't know why anyone would spend the money on radions with so many other options out there. I stopped running my gen4 xr15s because I got tired of the lights coming on in the middle of the night when the app changed time on its own.

 

[VintageReefer]

Just following to see how long this thread is allowed here. I started a thread complaining about mobius and the time date issue and the mods shut it down and moved it to the vendor feedback forum.
I don't know why anyone would spend the money on radions with so many other options out there. I stopped running my gen4 xr15s because I got tired of the lights coming on in the middle of the night when the app changed time on its own.

That’s a feature! Night growth mode

 

[exnisstech]

That’s a feature! Night growth mode

I like the logic. A feature is aways better than a fault

 

[SamsReef]

I think Sam’s intent was to say to new reefers, do your homework and don’t believe the hype.

I also think like a lot of things in life, individual mileage may vary.
I have had 7 Gen 5’s for 4 years. Bought them all used. Still running strong.
Biggest problem I have in my tank is my corals growing too well resulting in coral warfare and having to constantly frag them. Have never had to do any type of maintenance on the fans. I check every few months and still relatively clean. Lights are in a canopy so while the fans can be heard when they turn on ((which isn’t often) mine aren’t loud.
Would I buy these again? Probably. But I’d also consider others that have come along in the lighting market.

that is good to hear. I used to run my tank with 7 radion as well. Now 4 remains. As they are dying, I am replacing them out other fixtures.

Sam

 

[thedon986]

Agree the new gen aren’t worth their price tag. Hopefully more people will stop buying them and bring the price down. Doubtful though.

Love my G4s and can get those for about $300

 

[DanyL]

Agree the new gen aren’t worth their price tag. Hopefully more people will stop buying them and bring the price down. Doubtful though.

Love my G4s and can get those for about $300

I wish it was only the price.

I find it ridiculous that they sell a “Blue” and a “Pro” versions now, instead of packing in enough diodes to do both.

Isn’t that the whole idea of using LEDs and having them on separate channels?

Why would anyone need to choose between the two before he even setup the tank?

What if you’d like to transition from one to the other during the day like I do on my tanks? Purchase 2 sets of fixtures?

It’s a weird and unnecessary choice to make, and I’ve seen quite a few that regretted their original choice and had to sell and switch models.

And than, when you also put the hefty price tag on top of this..

 

[X-37B]

Halide guy forever.
I am new to leds, like 3 years.
I ran 4 gen 5 xr15's over my 80.
I moved and went with RB photon 50's over my 170. Love these led.
I went with 3 xr15's on my new 50 because I had 5 from my other build. If I did not have these I would have went with the photons.

I bought all 5 used with arms for an average of around $320. They are 3-4 years old.
$600 with mount is pricey to say the least, but many other less expensive leds do the job.
One died and was replaced by Ecotech, still under warrenty. I ran ab+ @ 100/100 and it was not the heavy blue look, imo.

So I know they grow acros real well.

This is a few pics of some of the corals in my 80.

 

[VintageReefer]

Halide guy forever.
I am new to leds, like 3 years.
I ran 4 gen 5 xr15's over my 80.
I moved and went with RB photon 50's over my 170. Love these led.
I went with 3 xr15's on my new 50 because I had 5 from my other build. If I did not have these I would have went with the photons.

I bought all 5 used with arms for an average of around $320. They are 3-4 years old.
$600 with mount is pricey to say the least, but many other less expensive leds do the job.
One died and was replaced by Ecotech, still under warrenty. I ran ab+ @ 100/100 and it was not the heavy blue look, imo.

So I know they grow acros real well.

This is a few pics of some of the corals in my 80.

Tbh I would sell them and buy more photons or reefi uno pro