radions

so i'v had the idea of getting two for my 450 l tank (150cm in length and 60cm deep). whats been holding me back however is;

A) the price of the damn things and...

B) i dont want to drill my ceiling to hang them

soooooooo, does any one know of any other way to hold them over your tank?

iv seen a few plexiglass stands being developed in asia but it seems all flaky for the Mo. of course i could patch up a little DIY mount but if i can get something nice and already built i would much prefer....

also you people reckon 2 is an over kill for a tank my size?

 

Might you be able to use something like this, or at least use the design for a DIY unit?

Current Hanging Arm Lighting Assembly, Aquarium Lighting Power | PetSolutions

You'll most likely need 2 to get full coverage end-to-end with your tank.

 

I could never find a commercial mount that I liked, so I bent and painted conduit and used the Ecotech hangers. It made for a nice finished look.

Sorry, not a really good picture.

As for two being overkill, not really. More like underkill. Radion states coverage is 24" x 24" (60cm x 60cm) so you will be a little dimmer out toward the ends. However, I don't really think that would be much of an issue. Basically, if your tank can be lit with 2 x 250w MH lights, it can be lit with 2 Radions

 

That mount looks great! I used some hooks from the hardware store to mount to my wall and hang from. I didn't want to pop holes in my ceiling either. If you have a canopy, you could always get a piece of angle iron and attach it to your canopy and the light.

 

hmm that is a nice mount, we shall see how much change i have at the end of the month and perhaps start investing somewhere. you guys keep em at about 20 - 30 cm from the water surface?

 

Mine is about 20cm off the water, but I also have a screened top (albeit very loose webbing). You may choose to hang yours higher. It is more about coverage than intensity as you can dial the intensity up or down to suite your tank.

To build the mount for multiple lights you will need:

2 pieces of galvanized metal conduit ~ 12cm x ~180cm (depends on desired height, this was how I did mine.)
2 plastic furniture caps to cap the exposed ends
Good quality spray primer
Hammered black metal spray paint
4 x 12mm tube straps
Drill and bits
Assorted wood screws
Tube Bender (borrow from an electrician or home store, or have an electrician bend it for you)
Ecotech Marine Premium Hanging Kit
Ecotech Marine Radion rail kit(s).
Black hook&latch (Velcro) straps.

In essence, you get the rails bent, then prime and paint them, then cap the raw end. Drill the ends where the hanging kit be attached.

Assemble your light rig with the rails and measure the end-to-end distance. Attach the tube straps to the back of your stand at the width of the light fixture (mine are closer just to give a flared appearance).

Put the tubes in place and use a set screw to keep them from turning, if desired/necessary.
Attach the hanging kilt and light rig. Use velco strapping to provide strain relief route the electrical cables out of the way.

 

Radions- do alot, @ $750 ea.

or an Ebay specail, with dimmers, for about $180

People seem to like the chinook ones, including me without the dimmers model.

I simply used some wood I had a built a stand that goes between the DT and the wall.
Doesn't look as nice perhaps as painted, bent cunduit, but it works.

No more accidentally knocking my lights into my tank while tinkering with it.

 

Yes, they are expensive, but the way I figure it, with the 10 year life span, reduced cost of energy consumption, no need for a chiller, no need to replace bulbs annually, at $750 each, I am still saving money over metal halide. With the infinite controllability of intensity, color, and schedule, plus the very sleek and aesthetically pleasing fit and finish, I am more than happy to part with the $750. I feel that you get what you pay for.

I will buy them again for the next tank.

 

750$ for you lucky folks in the states and your mind blowing coral color selection! i have to import this stuff to switzerland and im lucky if i can find it online for about 800 euros + shipping + tax + bs costs ALL OF THAT TIMES TWO!!!

i actually found them in a shop here once you know for how much? 1700 swiss francs....i almost spat in his eye

 

so if radions are the ferraries of led lighitng what would be a solid 5 series BMW brand equivalent?