Buying New LEDs - Head going to explode

If you have a lid and your lights are direct mounted, your biggest challenge will be cooling. The Razor is out because you can't get good convective flow. Sounds like the Radions need more clearance than what you've got available, but I've never used them so can't say for sure. Regardless, you will have to either cut holes in your canopy lid and line up the cooling fans with them so you have airflow, or you will have to go with a DIY kit like Steve's LEDs.

I have the same problem and just ordered a Steve's kit. I should have it in the next week or so and will have it up and running in the next couple weeks if all goes well. If you can hold out a bit longer, I'll post updates as it progresses.

 

AI Vega and Sol are of simple box shape with fan on top. Vega is quite a bit shorter. If you can cut holes in the lid and mount the lights so that fan can pull air from the top, I think you'll be happy with AIs. It's probably not necessary, but AI EXT rails mount flush into the fixture, that should give you easy way to screw that rail into the canopy lid. I am sure there are 100 other ways you could attach them.

I had two AI SOL SuperBlues over my 55g tank for almost 2 years now, and my tank is thriving. I have them 6" above water and don't run them at 100%, I think I have a 2h peak period during the day when they run at about 70% intensity, then back down to 40%..50% range. My whites are never above 50%, it's blues and super blues that do most of heavy lifting.

My programming has 8 or 10 steps in color ramp up/down, and the way tank colors change throughout the day is simply amazing. I also love the shimmer effect all over my tank. I have two small coralia pumps agitating the surface just for this reason. It makes all the difference.

Be advised, I have only soft corals in my tank, so I cannot vouch for how well SPS/LPS do with these. But they seem super potent. I've read a ton of people frying their corals by turning these lights up too much.

I've added my first SPS two days ago. I've turned down the lights to 25% and will be slowly ramping them up. And here's what it looks like with my lights at 25% (lights 6" above water, coral is about 13" below water surface):



I had power supply go out on one of my AI fixtures, and AI customer service was spot on. They overnighted me new one right away. Overall I am very happy with these lights.

I am starting 125g 48x30x18 rimless and bought 4 Vegas for it. Will have something to review in 4..5 weeks when tank gets here.

Be warned, there are some posts about new AI wireless controller being flaky and needing better firmware. Depending on how soon you going to buy these, it might be worth following.


P.S. I never owned any other type of lights besides T5s. Can't really compare to MH. My LFS has tons of MH, and I have to say my tanks look better color wise

 

I'd say Radions are out of the question, Alex was right about the 8". I just read the manual and here's a statement from them.

"Warning: Mounting below the recommended above tank height of 8 inches may expose the fixture to excessive moisture or contact with water. Water damage is not covered under warranty."

 

Just realized you're thinking 2 over 48x24. I have two over 48x12 and I feel it's just about right. I am worried 2 might not be enough for your tank. The corners might be a little dark.

 

I appreciate all the responses! The mounting system I have now gives about an inch of clearance on the top for airflow.. but it seems the radions still scare me with that warranty statement.

So the razors and the vegas seem to be the top choices. Any concerns on the razors 6" off the surface?

I am not really a DIY person with electricity and I have Chinese LEDs now that have given me fits the last couple of years, so I don't want to repeat that.

Anything else I am not considering before pulling the trigger on one of these?

John

 

Agreed that the Radion is amazing and offers a lot if contro... WHEN the buggy as h3ll software works. I have one and I'm not sure that I'd buy another.

 

AI vegas all the way, They are upgradable from the colors they come with and have 20 channels of control for great color mixing. (not that you would really use all 20 channels.)

2 would be okay, 3 would be ideal tho.

 

How about an Aquatic Life fixture? They are really nice as well and fully programmable with many different lighting combos.

 

Controllability isn't everything. Razor has the best spectrum IMO of the three, it doesn't really need red because the WW have a good red spike.

 

ok, I went ahead and got two of the Maxspect Razors and will modify my canopy. I will post up some pics when they are in and on.

Appreciate the insight.

John