EcoTech XR15 Diffuser Review

[TheEngineer]

I just installed EcoTech’s new diffuser accessory on XR15 Pro G4 and I put together a short video about it. Please forgive my ugly tank and iPad video editing skills :)

 

[pecan2phat]

Nice review!
One thing that I did not like and immediately notice was the amount of light bleed vs before the diffusers.

 

[TheEngineer]

Nice review!
One thing that I did not like and immediately notice was the amount of light bleed vs before the diffusers.

It does bleed more for sure. I’m thinking we may wind up all needing to lower our lights. They don’t need to be so high when the light is better distributed, I would think.

 

[Bronx19]

Good video. Its bizarre they didn't match the plastic finish to the fixture itself.

 

[smokin'reefer]

Great vid. Thanx for the info.
Always scared to make any changes with light though. It seems corals are sensitive to even minor changes. Hate to set myself up for another roller coaster.

 

[Da Ghost]

Curious....Why the drop in the center?? Seems like that should have increased as well??

 

[TheEngineer]

Good video. Its bizarre they didn't match the plastic finish to the fixture itself.

Thanks. Agreed! For a company that clearly focuses on the form factor of their products this seems like a pretty big slip. Maybe that’s what the delay was about? Trying to get the right finish but they couldn’t?

Curious....Why the drop in the center?? Seems like that should have increased as well??

My assumption is the increase at the corners comes from the light getting more widely dispersed now. With just the puck the light really focuses just down. The diffuser will surely block some light though since it isn’t clear and that’s causing the drop in the center.

 

[studentdriver]

I received my Ecotech Diffuser a few days ago. The diffuser is just a very thin sheet of plastic, mine came with a cut in the diffuser sheet. I'm returning it back to BRS.

Instead I decided to use a diffuser that I took off of a Philips BR-40 LED bulb and it's a perfect fit under the XR-15. I think it works at least as well as the Ecotech diffuser to my eyes. I did NOT compare PAR from both diffusers. Below is a link to the bulb if anyone is interested in saving yourself some money.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0094BDB8...t=&hvlocphy=9015414&hvtargid=pla-309000776104

 

[Rakie]

Hey @TheEngineer -- I'm interested in any update you have on this after using for a week.

 

[TheEngineer]

Hey @TheEngineer -- I'm interested in any update you have on this after using for a week.

I really like it. I can’t express enough how much I despised the color banding before. It is nearly gone now and I need to look for it to notice it. The shimmer you’d expect from LED is still there but it is subdued quite a bit. Still happy with the purchase.

 

[st0rmtr000pa]

Thanks for the review. I may look into getting the diffusers for my lights now.

 

[Da Ghost]

If you can take PAR and Spectrum readings that would be very helpful to us all.

 

[jmp21677]

Are these ment for the G4 lights as well? I know with the new lenses in the G4 line the colors are much more blended and you don' get the disco effect

 

[TheEngineer]

If you can take PAR and Spectrum readings that would be very helpful to us all.

If you own either or both device and want to send them my way I’d be happy to take those measurments :)

 

[TheEngineer]

Are these ment for the G4 lights as well? I know with the new lenses in the G4 line the colors are much more blended and you don' get the disco effect

This is on my G4.

 

[Da Ghost]

If you own either or both device and want to send them my way I’d be happy to take those measurments :)

LOL hence why I said, "If you can." Maybe the local reef club in your area may have some equipment for loan ;) Explain it is in the pursuit of science. :) If I knew you better I would seriously have no problem with bringing mine over.

 

[TheEngineer]

LOL hence why I said, "If you can." Maybe the local reef club in your area may have some equipment for loan ;) Explain it is in the pursuit of science. :) If I knew you better I would seriously have no problem with bringing mine over.

Actually I’m the president of my local club. We’re a small club so we don’t have much equipment. We had a par meter but someone dropped it in their tank. The plan is to buy a new one this year. Although with the latest video from BRS our plan to get the new Apogee might change.

 

[Rakie]

Are these ment for the G4 lights as well? I know with the new lenses in the G4 line the colors are much more blended and you don' get the disco effect

That's not true at all, it may be better but I have a G4, the discoball lives.

here's a top down still shot, look at the color banding -- My G4 is 14" above the water

 

[North Borders]

@TheEngineer I like that fixture you have your Radion hanging from. What is it? Where from? :)

 

[[Cameron]]

Looking at his build thread looks to be from this company (formerly known as reeflightmounts.com):

http://www.6061.com/reef_contact.htm

Looks like their webpage is in disarray right now though.