Freshwater for the Kids! Build

[Darbex]

Everything you just said you want is in the Ecotech Radions but they run $600 new. I tried the Ecoxotic Panorama and the Ecotech Radions. While I liked the Panoramas I just love the features of the Radions. So I replaced my two Panoramas with Radions.

[jeb102385]

I used a multiswitch t5 fixture. Turned half the lights on in the morning all an hour later. The an hour before the lights went off I cut half the lights off. Then for an hour after the light went off I had my moonlights come on. I used timers to accomplish this. You can use timers from the store or you can buy the aquatic life fixture that has the timer built in on the front of the fixture

[jeb102385]

Not as nice as the radions but a lot cheaper

[AHP]

All good information thank you both. Off to research

Quick questiion.
- Ecotech Radions, do they only come in one standard size?
ie:

Length	11.8 in.
Width	7 in.
Height	3.5 in.

I guess at that rate I would have to buy 2 of them to cover the 48' length of the 75g. Correct?

[Darbex]

Yes they are the same size and their coverage is about 24"x24".

[AHP]

Man $1200 for some lights, I can see why people like to DYI this one. Are their any cheaper LED options? I guess I could got CL and look around.

[SunnyHouTX]

Ecoxotic Stunners for those of us who don't ball with Radions. Or you could check out eBay for some Beamswork fixtures.

[AHP]

Mentally, I am a baller... but I have kids and that makes me not a baller.

[Darbex]

Remember you get what you pay for. With Ecotech and Ecoxotic you are also paying for "insurance" if something goes wrong with the light they are pretty good at fixing it for you. Ecotech more so than any other company I have ever seen.

[AHP]

So question about T5's how long do they last?
I was looking at this
Coralife NEW STYLE Lunar Aqualight Compact Fluorescent Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 4X65W, 48"

http://www.marineandreef.com/48_inch_4_lamp_Coralife_Lunar_Aqualight_CF_Light_p/res08609.htm

If I was to go with T5's that seems fairly nice but i don't think it has a couple of things.
- Sunset / Sunrise
- Dimmer
- Timmer
If I was to get something like this how would I have the lights function like the 3 settings?

[jeb102385]

You cant put a dimmer on t5s. But the light you have linked to is a compact florescent. That isn't the same as t5s.like I said you can turn half the fixture, then turn on the the whole, then half again. And any timer from the store will work for an aquarium light

[Darbex]

The bulbs on a T5 last about 6-9 months depending on hours and how you drive them. LEDs can last up to about 10 years on good ones assuming 12 hr on time

[mistahoo]

Ecoxotic Stunners for those of us who don't ball with Radions. Or you could check out eBay for some Beamswork fixtures.

+1. There's also the Finnex Ray2 which is really bright. Buildmyled fixtures that's good. Beamswork are a good cheap light. You could do LED spotlights if you want.

Sent from my spaceship using Tapatalk 2.

[AHP]

What about Reef Breeders Photon48?

http://www.reefbreeders.com/photon48.html

[SunnyHouTX]

If you got the chedda, go for it LOL