Radion vs DIY - Need Advice

If you want all the bells and whistles in a light (i.e. dimming, storms, wireless, etc.), the Radion is hard to beat. That said however, one can mimic those same things with a DIY and an Apex controller. Depending on the size of your tank, it CAN be done for cheaper. If you're building this over a smaller tank, the Radion might be better than DIY. Larger tank, cheaper to go DIY.

If none of the "bells and whistles" matter to you, DIY is the best way to go.

 

Stay away from Ecoxotic IMO, there are many better options.

 

i bought two Gen 1 Radions about a year ago for my 75 Gallon tank and i'm not happy with them.for me it is hit or miss with corals.some will grow and some i will have to sell because they will start to die.if i don't sell them they will die.if i sell them to someone with T5 or MH the corals come right back and are happy.i'm thinking about just going Back to T5 for now.i think what is needed on the Gen 1 is the UV Leds. i'm look for Leds light from some place else.if i was you i would do a diy or find leds lights with UV with them.just to add the lighting was the only thing i change last year.

 

So for nightlights do you suggest I just leave it on all the time? I'd really like to have a color blend for night that brings out the maximum fluorescence in the corals - can anyone suggest a mix of bulbs? And given that I won't be dimming it, how many bulbs would give the appropriate amount of light for 24x7 use?

 

Which do you think looks better? My Radion Pro vs. Reefbreeders 32"

Radion Pro 14k Setting: (UV 100%, Royal Blue 100%, Blue 100%, White 75%, Green 75%, Red 75%)
ReefBreeders 32": (100% Blue, 75% White and colors)



100% All channels for both

 

from the second pic i think reef breeders look better.it is hard to compare in the first one.