Took a few goes with different diffuser lenses but I finally got there. I have been testing them on my 3 Radion XR30. I have had them on a few weeks now and working very well.
Radion diffusers, I think I have cracked it.
- Thread starter atoll
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Please define very well. I', curious what types of numbers you are getting.Took a few goes with different diffuser lenses but I finally got there. I have been testing them on my 3 Radion XR30. I have had them on a few weeks now and working very well.
OP
OP
Sorry I don't own a PAR meter but am trying to find somebody with one I can borrow to do some testing. The supplier, however, informed me that there is an 11% reduction in PAR.
Here are some other spec's
Here are the advantages of the diffusers.
1/ Colour blending of the individual LED colours giving much more even colour spread eliminating/reducing the disco effect. .
2/ Easy to fit, can be fitted in minutes using a small pozidrive and a slot head screwdriver (not provided).
3/ Air will continue to be drawn through the existing fans.
4/ The lens will not warp, bend or discolour.
5/ You do not remove the existing light Eco Tech Radion cover, the diffuser simply attaches to it with it insitu.
6/ No need to remove the light unit, it can stay on the tank while you fit your lens.
7/Long lasting.
8/ Easy to clean.
9/ Slim design.
10/Impact resistant.
11/Resistant to high temperatures (UK class 1 fire rating)
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Neat idea!
Sounds awesome. I hope its not too good to be true. I'm following along for test results as if it is truly only 11% loss, it could be a big hit. I just highly doubt that you will see anywhere near that loss. I would bet it is closer to 30%+.
OP
OP
30% light loss?
Here is the diffuser spec from the suppliers and I have no reason to doubt them what so ever.
OP
OP
Speculation or not you actually think there will be as much has a 3o% reduction in PAR, WOW!
If you have a PAR meter send me it to take the tests I am only in the UK and PAR meters are few and far between here.
iTzJu
Well-Known Member
looks awesome, i'm thinking about doing something similar to my hydras. where did you get the diffuser and are those stand offs you used?
if not to much to ask, can you post pics of the whole assembly?
if not to much to ask, can you post pics of the whole assembly?
I don't have one to send. You can be served just as well with a LUX meter as it will show comparison numbers. another thing you can do is take a picture of the tank with your diffuser on one side, no diffuser in the middle, and Ecotech's diffuser on the other side. Although the eye might not see the difference, often time the camera will see the difference in the photo. I would also turn the fixtures so that they are perpendicular to the tank so you get less blending for the photo.Speculation or not you actually think there will be as much has a 3o% reduction in PAR, WOW!
If you have a PAR meter send me it to take the tests I am only in the UK and PAR meters are few and far between here.
OP
OP
Am in the UK and bought them from a specialist plastics diffuser suppliers. The spacers and longer screws took some finding
I have been looking at sheets of diffusers used for greenhouses, I have contemplating these for a few weeks now. There are several varieties. This is just one.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/LEXAN-4...oclear-Polycarbonate-Sheet-15762128/300511921
https://www.homedepot.com/p/LEXAN-4...oclear-Polycarbonate-Sheet-15762128/300511921
OP
OP
Thats called twinwall over here and quite a bit thicker than the stuff I am using, I wonder if it will scatter the light too much
addo
New Member
I'm going to try window film on a piece of acrylic, something like https://www.homedepot.com/p/Instant...dhesive-Window-Film-50-sq-ft-20-101/207192072
iTzJu
Well-Known Member
any specs on the spacers and screws? maybe i can source some locally. thanks!
The loss is actually zero, if you measured in an integrating sphere or other mechanism that does not care about direction as much, including direct reflection back up into the fixture. They could totally measure at 11% for general room lighting where scattering is not so bad and 30% for downward focus onto the reef... it is not like there is less light, it just gets spread out more.
In any case, who cares? Only the people running already at 100% that cannot turn them up more.
In any case, who cares? Only the people running already at 100% that cannot turn them up more.
OP
OP
That's interesting and of course, with light will be spread more as well as the blending of the colours. What I have noticed or not noticed is any more appreciable light spillage with these diffusers. One of the first things my friend noticed was the fact there was no noticeable extra light spillage. The diffuser, unlike the Ecotech ones these are clear 3mm polycarbonate with lots of tiny prisms to diffuse the light while the Ecotech ones are opaque. I did try a few similar ones to the Ecotech diffusers but there was a noticeable drop in tank illumination or I just did not like the effect.
It is hard to tell if the flash from the camera is creating the shadows, or the lights?
In any case, what is the big deal? The lights that LED have been trying to catch up to all spread like crazy and even waste some spill. This power increase to make up for the lost spread is very much progress, IMO. ...blended light coming from everywhere is a good, no matter the cost (to a point, I guess).
Can you work on a reflector next?
In any case, what is the big deal? The lights that LED have been trying to catch up to all spread like crazy and even waste some spill. This power increase to make up for the lost spread is very much progress, IMO. ...blended light coming from everywhere is a good, no matter the cost (to a point, I guess).
Can you work on a reflector next?
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OP
OP
It is hard to tell if the flash from the camera is creating the shadows, or the lights?
In any case, what is the big deal? The lights that LED have been trying to catch up to all spread like crazy and even waste some spill. This power increase to make up for the lost spread is very much progress, IMO. ...blended light coming from everywhere is a good, not matter the cost (to a point, I guess).
Can you work on a reflector next?
I don't use flash from my phone hence why my pic's could be better. The phone does not give the best representation of course and the tank shot looks a lot dimmer than actual. I do have a decent DLSR and when I am back off holiday in a week I will try and get some better photographs.
A reflector for Radion Xr30? Not sure I want to go there and if it would be worthwhile. Wouldn't narrow lenses be just as good or do you mean some sort of reflector to help mix the colours of the LED's instead of a diffuser?
I completely agree. When I said 30%+ i was referring to the decrease that would be seen in the tank. That is what matters to many. For me, the color blending is most important. For other's they are not willing to sacrifice the output for the more diffused look.
I do however question the OP (@atoll), what percentage decrease in output is unacceptable to achieve this color blending? Is it 25%, 30%, 40%, ect???
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