Radions - worst light fixtures in its class

[AKReefing]

Keep in mind these facts:
- I already own the Radions (Gen 3s are a decade old).
- I'm running them at 40%, meaning I could get by with maybe six or eight of the Gen 3s Radions at 100%, but the fan noise would be too much, and the LEDs wouldn't last very long.
- I would NEVER buy Radions at retail.
- The thread was about how bad Radions are.

 

[AKReefing]

Hmm...I must be under lighting my display. I have a pair of lights over my 210 and it is 30" tall. Go figure.

Depends on what's in the tank.

 

[AKReefing]

It’s one the worse regarding cost
You already own the lights but for someone shopping new this sounds like over $8000 to light that reef with the current models

Compared to something new like the quanta atlas that could do it for less than half the price

Nobody recommended all new Radions. BTW, I don't think I paid more than $200 for each of the Ge XR30s. I think the G6 XR15s were around $250-300-ish, and they included those overpriced wire hanger kits.

 

[AKReefing]

So to continue the OT cost issue brought up here, if I had to buy LEDs from scratch, I'd build DIY. I have boxes of various LEDs sitting around, and they cost so little it's laughable. I built DIY 13 years ago and my SPS and LPS went bonkers under just blue, royal blue, and whites turned down to 20%.

That said, there's nothing wrong with older LEDS.

 

[areefer01]

Depends on what's in the tank.

Mixed reef, 20 - 24" table Acropora, every day normal stuff.

 

[areefer01]

That said, there's nothing wrong with older LEDS.

No, probably not. A lot depends on how they are kept and in what condition they are in.

 

[AKReefing]

No, probably not. A lot depends on how they are kept and in what condition they are in.

Operational is all that matters.

 

[areefer01]

Operational is all that matters.

I'm not sure to be honest but I understand your point of view. Some kits have a known life expectancy of X hours. Maintenance and how they are used may factor into this. Cleaning, dusting out, thermal management, intensity, etc.

Maybe it doesn't make a difference, maybe it does. Just what I was thinking when I replied. It would be something I'd consider if buying used.

 

[AKReefing]

I'm not sure to be honest but I understand your point of view. Some kits have a known life expectancy of X hours. Maintenance and how they are used may factor into this. Cleaning, dusting out, thermal management, intensity, etc.

Maybe it doesn't make a difference, maybe it does. Just what I was thinking when I replied. It would be something I'd consider if buying used.

I see your point. If all LEDs are lit and fan runs that's the real test. Yes, LEDs that were always run at 100% have some degradation (3% per year is what I've heard), but if that's the case, just use more of them to make up the difference. Spectrum and intensity.

As far as X hours, they all claim to last 100,000 or 50,000 hours. Those round numbers don't mean that much to me. Heat is the enemy of LEDs. If you control the heat, you extend the lifespans. At best, you would have to refresh the fans, assuming they're used. My first LEDs used an old Left Turn Only aluminum sign as a heat sink. The LEDs were barely warm to the touch because I spaced them far enough apart to control heat buildup.

 

[AKReefing]

Mixed reef, 20 - 24" table Acropora, every day normal stuff.

LOL. Right.

 

[AKReefing]

So anyway, back to the OP's point, I've never had an issue with Ecotech Radions. But then, I use enough to run them at lower intensities.

 

[areefer01]

I see your point. If all LEDs are lit and fan runs that's the real test. Yes, LEDs that were always run at 100% have some degradation (3% per year is what I've heard), but if that's the case, just use more of them to make up the difference. Spectrum and intensity.

As far as X hours, they all claim to last 100,000 or 50,000 hours. Those round numbers don't mean that much to me. Heat is the enemy of LEDs. If you control the heat, you extend the lifespans. At best, you would have to refresh the fans, assuming they're used. My first LEDs used an old Left Turn Only aluminum sign as a heat sink. The LEDs were barely warm to the touch because I spaced them far enough apart to control heat buildup.

We are more or less saying the same thing. Hobbyist care, use, etc. Like you I do not run my kits at peak. Life expectancy will vary by manufacture. Not trying to be confrontational with you just that it will vary. Kessil for example rates their a360x having a normal life expectancy of 35,000 hours or about 5 and 7 years. I only know that because I ran them for a bit.

LOL. Right.

I don't understand this point.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Are we still talking about this?

 

[AKReefing]

I don't understand this point.

I was being sarcastic about your 2-foot acto as "normal stuffl".

 

[AKReefing]

We are more or less saying the same thing. Hobbyist care, use, etc. Like you I do not run my kits at peak. Life expectancy will vary by manufacture. Not trying to be confrontational with you just that it will vary. Kessil for example rates their a360x having a normal life expectancy of 35,000 hours or about 5 and 7 years. I only know that because I ran them for a bit.

I never owned a Kessil, but thought they were designed for too much output from a small PCB. That's a lot of heat, and no heat sink and fan can reduce the heat enough to prevent quick burnout.

 

[AKReefing]

Are we still talking about this?

Nobody's holding you hostage.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Nobody's holding you hostage.

Wow , just having fun, guess you had a bad day hope it gets better

 

[AKReefing]

Wow , just having fun, guess you had a bad day hope it gets better

What would you rather talk about in a thread dedicated to Radion reliability?

 

[Cichlid Dad]

What would you rather talk about in a thread dedicated to Radion reliability?

That's kinda the point, why people keep arguing about this. Kinda like politics. Every one has an opinion and no one is going to charge their minds. Pointless to keep arguing

 

[areefer01]

I never owned a Kessil, but thought they were designed for too much output from a small PCB. That's a lot of heat, and no heat sink and fan can reduce the heat enough to prevent quick burnout.

No problem. It was just an example. There is a fan and heat sink although it is a small form factor. Philips Coral Care Gen 2's I think noted 25,000 hours. I don't know if all vendors provide that information nor do I claim to know how accurate it is or how it is derived.

I do not own Radions so cannot comment on them. To me it is one of those things that some like them others do not. I have no say as I'm not paying a stipend for anyone's lighting. Just found the thread interesting.