Why are Radions worth it?

[slingfox]

The why is very simple: Most major coral sellers grow and take pictures of their coral under Radions. If you want to increase your chances of getting the same look then use the same lights.

I have seen this effect first hand on multiple occasions where I bought corals from coral shows and LFSs and then put them in my tank 20-45 minutes later. The corals looked better under the Radions than my AI lights! I have zero doubt their are other lights that also look great.

The Radions output a very pleasing spectrum. LED and lighting technology has advanced materially since the Gen6 were released so I wish Ecotech would refresh the Radions. Since Ecotech apparently doesn’t plan to release Gen7 lights anytime soon, however, I plan to switch to ATI Stratons once the new model comes out.

Thanks for that reply. I do agree that I've seen almost all coral dealers on YouTube etc. use Radion.

I assume part of that is because the major coral sellers as well as LFS get special pricing on lighting so cost is a little less of an issue. Also, if you are a major coral grower you likely want to go with something that has been widely used and tested.

 

[mfinn]

Sorry I didn't read all the posts. I started with radions and moved away from them. They were fine when I ran the G4s using a browser and reef link but I upgraded all my stuff to Mobius and the date time issue that some if us experience with mobius makes them unusable.

PS I'm running reefbreeders photons and a meridian over 3 tanks and noopsyche k7s over another now.

I never had the time issue, but I hate Mobius.
I got spoiled with ESL.

 

[cba191]

can you mix gen 4 or 5 with a gen 6?

 

[nickng]

Ecotech fixed the time issue as far as I have been told by multiple people running them and none are having the time issues now. I don't have any Radions to test that.

Are they worth it? Depends on the person buying. They are great lights no matter what the haters claim. Their biggest issue is there are numerous great lights these days and most are half the cost.

Hi, my rations G6 blues manufactured in 1/2025 still has the rare random light turn on issues. The issue has gone away when I bought the Neptune MXM unit just to control the lights. It was a last ditch effort to get the lights to operate correctly according to the programmed schedule. So far for almost 10 months now the lights are working properly. I’ll likely replace with reefbreeders suplemented with T5 when i upgrade to a larger tank

 

[nickng]

Thanks for that reply. I do agree that I've seen almost all coral dealers on YouTube etc. use Radion.

Yeah that’s the reason I went with radions. So far it’s been able to retain the colors on my torches and acros

 

[rtparty]

Hi, my rations G6 blues manufactured in 1/2025 still has the rare random light turn on issues. The issue has gone away when I bought the Neptune MXM unit just to control the lights. It was a last ditch effort to get the lights to operate correctly according to the programmed schedule. So far for almost 10 months now the lights are working properly. I’ll likely replace with reefbreeders suplemented with T5 when i upgrade to a larger tank

Have you run them on Mobius recently though? It’s not about their manufactured date here. It is the app controlling them

 

[GSPClown94]

Hi, my rations G6 blues manufactured in 1/2025 still has the rare random light turn on issues. The issue has gone away when I bought the Neptune MXM unit just to control the lights. It was a last ditch effort to get the lights to operate correctly according to the programmed schedule. So far for almost 10 months now the lights are working properly. I’ll likely replace with reefbreeders suplemented with T5 when i upgrade to a larger tank

I'm glad you are no longer suffering from this issue but jeez that's an expensive workaround for some already expensive lights...

 

[Head-High and Glassy]

I just got 4 xr15 g6 and 2 vortech mp40 for my first real attempt at a reef tank. Chose them because it seemed undeniable from the comments that they grow coral, and I didn't want to always be asking whether the many problems I anticipate having were due to the lights. Almost reconsidered when I saw the app reviews, but rolled the dice thinking that Schwab only has 2.5 stars for its app, and anyways the tank is not in my bedroom. Zero issues so far touch wood. Afterwards, walked into my LFS for first time ever and saw all radions. Super relieved that the stuff looked good under them (although radions were also the only lights they were prominently displaying for sale, as probably the margins are ridiculously high...but still).

 

[MushroomMan101]

I’ve watched all of these YouTube videos but who’s actually gone from AI or other brands to Radion and noticed a difference?

I recently switched from an AI hydra 32hd to radion xr15 gen5 pro. I noticed more “POP” and coloration; while running the lights on almost the exact same intensity/schedule with the radion. I believe this is in part due to the fact my hydra were 5 plus years old (LEDs slightly degrade over time) and the UV/V LEDs had been damaged from melted lens. I like the xr15 lot but am not 100% sure it would have been a huge difference if my Hydra was as worn out.

 

[areefer01]

I recently switched from an AI hydra 32hd to radion xr15 gen5 pro. I noticed more “POP” and coloration; while running the lights on almost the exact same intensity/schedule with the radion. I believe this is in part due to the fact my hydra were 5 plus years old (LEDs slightly degrade over time) and the UV/V LEDs had been damaged from melted lens. I like the xr15 lot but am not 100% sure it would have been a huge difference if my Hydra was as worn out.

Ignoring the age and maintenance the "pop" probably has to do with the spectrum you are running and the LED composition used. They are not the same which will shift the spectrum. No different than if you used a Kessil, ReefFi, etc.

 

[Starry Night Reef]

Im not sure exactly what you are looking for, a "scientific reason"? This is like asking why an Iphone is worth it. Ultimately it comes down to your personal taste.
I switched from AI Hydras, Reefi uno 2.1s, Ive seen friends kessils and orpheks and Ive sold all those and switched to Radions. I love them. I dont have a scientific reason for you other than they look better to my eyes, and I enjoy the app and preset colors. Ive had 0 issues with them. I use G6 Pros.

 

[Red_Beard]

Its the gucci of lights. Other lights light just as good or better. But great if you like to spend money and like telling people about it.

 

[winxp_man]

They most definitely aren't worth it unless you really enjoy lights randomly coming on at 3am. Also AI and Ecotech are basically the same company, its all owned by aperture pet and life...

Have three xr15 pro g6 running for over a year. No issues at all. My not eotech issue has been rats chewing my power cables! Haha!

 

[gcarroll]

I guess why are they worth it then?

Why is spending any of the money on this hobby "worth it"? The answer to that is not always clear cut.

An analogy...
Space shuttles and skateboards both move people from Point A to Point B. Is a space shuttle really "worth it"? ...are skateboards really "The Best"?

I drive a car. No re-entry flaps, no ollies, but it seems to do what I need. :)

Great comment! Love it!

 

[GSPClown94]

Have three xr15 pro g6 running for over a year. No issues at all. My not eotech issue has been rats chewing my power cables! Haha!

Just remember to change the battery in your Eotech and you should be able to take care of that rat problem in no time ;)

 

[exnisstech]

Thanks for that reply. I do agree that I've seen almost all coral dealers on YouTube etc. use Radion.

Something to keep in mind. Most vendors also edit photos so just because a person has the same lighting doesn't mean the coral will look the same as images online. YouTube isn't really my thing so I'm not sure about video showing accurate colors.

 

[Kooma]

I like them. They are very common, can be found used easily and last a long time. The app is good, I have 4 and no issues with coming on at night, and they can simulate very nice sunlight patterns. The app hooks to my mp40s and I have no complaints.

The no complaints is enough for me to say, why change?

 

[Red_Beard]

I like them. They are very common, can be found used easily and last a long time. The app is good, I have 4 and no issues with coming on at night, and they can simulate very nice sunlight patterns. The app hooks to my mp40s and I have no complaints.

The no complaints is enough for me to say, why change?

^^ That, I believe cuts to the crux of the whole of it, features and functions notwithstanding. Very well summarized.

 

[Euphyllia098]

I've been running Gen 5 XR15's for over 5 years. No issues with them coming on at night. Not sure what the original issue was, but it didn't effect everyone.

 

[areefer01]

I've been running Gen 5 XR15's for over 5 years. No issues with them coming on at night. Not sure what the original issue was, but it didn't effect everyone.

This is true. Which is one reason why it was difficult to address.