180 g new lighting options?

[likemike99]

I have a 6ft 180 G tank that is running 3 red sea reefled 90's. So I bought these lights used 1 by one over the past 6 years- not really sure how old they really are. I think they are losing their longevity. I can run the lights at 90% white and it is not too bright. this version/ G1, when you increase the blue it lowers the white- I guess there is a max output so as one uses more the other has to use less (issue fixed in the new G2 lights). I need more lighting. my tank is 72x24x24. I have SPS and LPS and fish. I was thinking about the new reefled G2 115's (3 again-$1500). I was recently at world wide corals in orlando (awesome store) and they run radions and I really liked their look and results. for 6ft could I do 3 xr15 -($1700)? or do I need the xr30's? if so, could I get away with 2 ($2000) or do I RELALLY need 3 ($3000)? my other new thought was to keep the reefled's and add AIblade grow lights ($500) for the blue and just use the reefled's for the white? this covers both ends and is also the cheapest.
thanks, happy reefing

 

[rtparty]

Nicrew Hyperreef Gen 2. Better than the Radion at 1/3 to 1/4 of the cost

 

[likemike99]

Nicrew Hyperreef Gen 2. Better than the Radion at 1/3 to 1/4 of the cost

heard good things but I can't support china when possible. AI and Radion made in US.

 

[rtparty]

heard good things but I can't support china when possible. AI and Radion made in US.

AI and Radion are all China built and then assembled in the US

You won’t find any light made in the US. Giesemann is made in Germany but again, likely all Chinese components

Edit: google search shows AI might be made in Florida or Iowa which is odd because AI is headquartered in Pennsylvania now in the Ecotech warehouses. I know they make some components in Pennsylvania so maybe they moved more production in house. I’ll have to check my Blade boxes at home

 

[PPBlimpy]

I run noopsyche k7s over my 300G mixed reef.

I replaced my g4 xr30 pro radions with these after having one die. i bought all 5 used for less then replacing one radion used

When it comes to color and intensity I think they compare to the radions. the app mostly sucks but if you are like me you get them set where you like it and never mess with them then they are great. i dont need all the bells and whistles.

other good thing is they are $176 each right now I think. when i get to SPS i will ad a couple more. the 30" wide leaves shadowing.

 

[exnisstech]

Radions are over hyped, over priced and under powered IMO. I have gen4 XR15s on the shelf because i got tired of them coming on in the middle of the night when Mobius would randomly change the date and time. A problem that has been going on since mobius was released. I par tested the gen 4s which are stronger than Gen 5 and 6s the output was pathetic compared to my noopsyche k7 III pros that I used to replace the radions.

My 180g under six K7s

 

[JohnNYC8]

I have a 6ft 180 G tank that is running 3 red sea reefled 90's. So I bought these lights used 1 by one over the past 6 years- not really sure how old they really are. I think they are losing their longevity. I can run the lights at 90% white and it is not too bright. this version/ G1, when you increase the blue it lowers the white- I guess there is a max output so as one uses more the other has to use less (issue fixed in the new G2 lights). I need more lighting. my tank is 72x24x24. I have SPS and LPS and fish. I was thinking about the new reefled G2 115's (3 again-$1500). I was recently at world wide corals in orlando (awesome store) and they run radions and I really liked their look and results. for 6ft could I do 3 xr15 -($1700)? or do I need the xr30's? if so, could I get away with 2 ($2000) or do I RELALLY need 3 ($3000)? my other new thought was to keep the reefled's and add AIblade grow lights ($500) for the blue and just use the reefled's for the white? this covers both ends and is also the cheapest.
thanks, happy reefing

Two big Blade Grows will be a nice option to compliment the ReefLEDs. Do you know if the ReefLEDs have true UV? That’s spectrum you won’t get from the Grows.

 

[likemike99]

I run noopsyche k7s over my 300G mixed reef.

I replaced my g4 xr30 pro radions with these after having one die. i bought all 5 used for less then replacing one radion used

When it comes to color and intensity I think they compare to the radions. the app mostly sucks but if you are like me you get them set where you like it and never mess with them then they are great. i dont need all the bells and whistles.

other good thing is they are $176 each right now I think. when i get to SPS i will ad a couple more. the 30" wide leaves shadowing.

Two big Blade Grows will be a nice option to compliment the ReefLEDs. Do you know if the ReefLEDs have true UV? That’s spectrum you won’t get from the Grows.

the red sea lights do have UV but it is low and mixed with the blue so you cannot control it. also If I go the blade rout I would be decreasing my red sea blues> decreasing my UV. something I didnt think about. I will look into the noopsyche lights as well. thanks for the feedback

 

[bradreef]

Red sea lights aren't the best option regardless of money. I can imagine you can truly find and US made lights as all the components would still be from China. I agree with the noopsyche as a great budget option. Basically you want a minimum of 150-200 watts of lights for every 2 ft square to not limit what coral you can grow well. The reefi Uno 2 is a solid option as well for the same price as xr15s but almost 3 times the power.

 

[dwest]

I have a 6 ft tank also. Mine has two thick braces. If yours does, I would keep the shading from the braces in mind.

I use a T5 hybrid with kessils and I’m thinking about my next down the road option as well. I would consider the Noopsyche and Reefi Unos for sure. I would also look at the meridians too off the top of my head.

 

[likemike99]

what is the concern with the red sea lights. the G2's look like they fixed the watage issue from the G1. I have used these for a few years, no issues
I dont get any shadow with 3 reefled's as they fall between the braces.
anyone hear much about the AI Edge lights? was looking at 2 68's

 

[bradreef]

You need the 170 to get decent par for higher light corals and it's $700. Still only 170 watts vs uno 2 at 270 watts and $450. The noopsyche is similar in performance at $170. Search on here and read reviews, imo, you are paying double for a brand. The other one mentioned above nicrew 200 watt is $400 and has a bigger footprint for less shadowing.