Radion G4 Pro > Should I upgrade?

[BrianReefer]

I'm currently running 3 of these over my 120g high end SPS heavy tank, production date on them is from either late 2018 or 2019, typically using the lights around 60% power in AB+ mode. I run Reef Moonshiners and am always l looking to maximize color and growth and am willing to invest to do so. With my lights being 6-7 years old, what's the consensus on whether I should upgrade or not? They are well maintained and seem to work fine, haven't noticed any kind of PAR degradation, etc, but I assume they do degrade over time and I wouldn't mind better spread that I hear you get from the G6 Pro Blue's. Thoughts???

 

[lapin]

Upgrade.
Someone needs your money

 

[areefer01]

You can try to search the web for the G4 specifics and see if they included a lifespan on them. Typically in hours. Some do, some don't. 50,000 hours is not uncommon but of course a lot of factors play into these numbers. Thermal management being one. Quality of LED another.

Now on your side of things, you need to do some fuzzy math and soul searching.

Did you take any PAR readings after installation? That is your starting point.
Can you take any PAR readings today? That is your end point.
Math is fun - calculate to see the fall off and what percent that is
Ask yourself - is that a lot, or not a lot

There are some posts on social media that say they prefer the G4's to the later models. WWC being one that I hear often staying this. Point is, they are good lights and work well. If they are not broken and still producing light with good PAR numbers, don't change.

It really is as simple as that. If you don't have the baseline I would rent or buy a PAR meter and take some numbers. If they are reasonable, let the lights ride. You mentioned you are only using 60% intensity (assuming peak, not average) then there is a good chance there is plenty of life in them.

Note: I do not use Radions. Kessil includes life expectancy in their FAQ documentation. This is why I raised it. Other vendors also include it. It is a guide/reference.

 

[Featherweight]

To what? What's gonna be better than g4s?

 

[BrianReefer]

Upgrade.
Someone needs your money

Appreciate the constructive input!

 

[xabo]

In a similar situation as you. I have 6 Radion G4 Pros over a 225 SPS Tank. Three are 7 years old and three are 8 years old. Running the Phoenix 14K spectrum at 100% and getting 350-400 par at lower/bottom end of tank. Think I"ll wait a while longer.

 

[The Ugly Phase]

if ur tank is looking good lights are working why change it could dump that £2000 on coral i have the gen 6 xr30 pros and they seem too powerful tbh i don't have coral atm but they are turning my nori white lol

 

[JonoH]

I run AI Hydra 52HD's on my SPS tank...and in the same boat - to upgrade or not.

At this stage, I dont actually have any compelling reason to upgrade unless you have spare $$$ to spend!

If your LED's are still working, and there is no issue with Acro Growth, then why bother?

If you want to do anything perhaps look at adding in supplimentary LED bar's to help with shadowing?

 

[elysics]

Of you really feel that the lights have lost a bit of their luster by now, you could just slowly ramp them up from 60% to maybe 70%

 

[malacoda]

Sounds like you're worried about PAR...

And you say you are "ready and willing to invest to maximize your SPS color and growth..."

If that's the case, my initial question to you would be: Do you have a PAR meter?


If you do have a PAR meter — are your current Radions still giving you the PAR you want where you want it?

If not, you still have considerable room to bump up the % you run them at. Why blow over $2,000 on a new generation when the Radions you have are/could still give you the PAR you want?


If don't have a PAR meter, why not invest in a PAR meter instead to make certain you are getting the PAR you want, where want it, from whatever lights you use...?

IMO, a PAR meter would be a much better, wiser, and cheaper place to spend some money.

New lights used without out a PAR meter are just as much a shot in the dark as older ones given that every tank and its aquascape, shading, bracing, height of lights above water, etc. will be unique from any other tank.

 

[BrianReefer]

Thanks for all of the replies!

I do have an Apogee par meter; unfortunately, I haven't used it often/consistently enough to monitor PAR trends over time to know if the LED effectiveness is declining or not

The root of my question wasn't really PAR though; because I agree, I can just dial up the intensity if I need to and there's plenty more PAR left. My question was based on not really knowing a ton about LED effectiveness and if/how LED's degrade over time, and if that degradation would always be seen in terms of reduced PAR, or if there's other less measurable symptoms of LED's losing effectiveness...if the range they put out changes over time, etc

But if consensus is net PAR measurement is the sole determinant, and as long as PAR is high enough you never upgrade, then I guess the above is accurate. But is that indeed true?

 

[areefer01]

Thanks for all of the replies!

I do have an Apogee par meter; unfortunately, I haven't used it often/consistently enough to monitor PAR trends over time to know if the LED effectiveness is declining or not

The root of my question wasn't really PAR though; because I agree, I can just dial up the intensity if I need to and there's plenty more PAR left. My question was based on not really knowing a ton about LED effectiveness and if/how LED's degrade over time, and if that degradation would always be seen in terms of reduced PAR, or if there's other less measurable symptoms of LED's losing effectiveness...if the range they put out changes over time, etc

But if consensus is net PAR measurement is the sole determinant, and as long as PAR is high enough you never upgrade, then I guess the above is accurate. But is that indeed true?

The crux of the problem is that there is no real before and after x years to really compare. Over your system. As I mentioned earlier most quality vendors will put a life expectancy on their kits. There is a lot that will play a role in this such as, but not limited to:

Intensity
On/Off duration
How On/Off is done
Overall thermal management (hobbyist cleaning, dusting)

If they are well taken care of, which you said they are, and you only ran them at a peak of 60% you are looking pretty good in my opinion. Also if you ramp up, ramp down, and the peak is 60% the mean will not because of the offsets before and after the peak.

Since you have the meter just do some par measurements and see what it looks like. Sounds like you will have some pretty solid numbers. If that looks good, and your tank looks good, I would let it ride. Marketing is the driving force of lights these days - they really don't change much though so don't fall for the trap.

If the numbers are weak or 'you' want a change, that is a different story. As noted - WWC and hobbyist alike swear by the G4's. That is telling.

 

[BrianReefer]

Helpful input, thx!