4 choices narrowed down

[mbsloan]

I am finally to the point where I am going to make a final decision on my lights. My tank is built aqua scaped and cycling.

I have a 5’ x 2’ x 2’ Peninsula I have done a ton of research and have narrowed down to these four lights, but not really sure how to make the final decision with love some advice on anybody that used these

Option one: Quanta Helix 4 light bar combo. Pros is that it is pretty much plug-in. Play not a ton of set up. Feel like I will get good coverage. Cons there’s very little adjustability. If you want to do ramp up ramp down, you need to buy a controller or something similar.

Option two: Reef i Uno2.x. We need 3 of these. Pros are that is highly adjustable. Cons are running three in a row is a little bit tough for cable management not as clean also, one of the most expensive options of these four.

Option three: Orphek Natura Icon. Will need two units. Pros it is expandable by adding light bars down the side if needed. Cons the units are a little bit larger.

Option 4: Reefbreeders meridian 45. Pros I like that it is expandable with light bars. Also like it being one unit all the way down the tank. Cons even though it’s expandable down the road will probably end up costing the most.

Between these four is there really any big performance differences? I would like to grow a mixed reef. I would like some adjustability so option one is my least preferred currently. Before anybody recommends it I just don’t have the money to do a Radeon set up. And after doing a lot of research, I am just not a fan nicrew or noops.

 

[minus9]

I'm a huge Quanta fan, so that's where I would start, but it's not my tank. I would list your priorities as most important to you and see which each light(s) offer. You can also do a hybrid of few options you listed. I still think the 4 bar combo will give you the most coverage on that size tank and you would need supplemental lights with the others listed. I think a Reefi/Quanta combo would be nice and give you more flexibility with spectrum/control. I'm old school when it comes to lighting, I pick a spectrum and simply ramp up/down and call it a day. But I get the idea of having a "blue" period to show off the colors. I love my Atlas/meso blue combo, the MB's give me the color pop and the Atlas gives me all the color rendering power.

 

[rtparty]

Wonder what you found on Nicrew you didn't like because they are a better Radion for 25% the cost

 

[mbsloan]

Wonder what you found on Nicrew you didn't like because they are a better Radion for 25% the cost

So not against the light itself. I think the fit and finish is good and the quality is good.

Same reason the Quanta isn’t my first choice is there is no app honestly. Yea you can buy a controller for an extra $50. But my biggest negative is the cords I think are ugly the way you have to do them in the peninsula. Plus the controller cord it just isn’t as nice as the others in my opinion. The Nicrew comes out the long side instead of the short side like the Orphek and when that is gonna be in your face on one side that sucks. Now I could turn it so it is wide but I will most likely need an additional light. Lastly, I like the idea of potentially adding light bars down the road. That isn’t a must and the Nicrew isn’t a definite no, just don’t like the features as much as others.

Again I’ve not put them on the tank so I might would feel differently. that’s just where I am currently.

 

[mbsloan]

I would say currently I have them “ranked” as Orphek, Reefbreeders, Quanta in that order. I could swap quanta for Nicrew, Noops, or another in that “$1500” price range.

I’m not saying there is one right or wrong answer here. I’m looking for people to challenge my thought process bc honestly I don’t have the luxury of buying a different set a year from now bc I hate it

 

[VintageReefer]

I use Meridian wit the 14k edge bars. The spectrum is unlike anything Ive seen before. It’s worth it and you can always add the bars down the line.

My coral colors are popping better than ever

 

[VintageReefer]

If you get the Meridian from rb website direct you don’t get charged sales tax. Every little bit of savings helps :)

 

[vetteguy53081]

I would say currently I have them “ranked” as Orphek, Reefbreeders, Quanta in that order. I could swap quanta for Nicrew, Noops, or another in that “$1500” price range.

I’m not saying there is one right or wrong answer here. I’m looking for people to challenge my thought process bc honestly I don’t have the luxury of buying a different set a year from now bc I hate it

Not challenging here. Been Using Orphek a couple of decades and absolutely love them. Noopsyche is great on shimmer and havent heard any upset Nicrew owners but area coverage in tank is in question from reading owner feedback.
Reef breeders has always been a great light.... but price is on the high scale

 

[rtparty]

So not against the light itself. I think the fit and finish is good and the quality is good.

Same reason the Quanta isn’t my first choice is there is no app honestly. Yea you can buy a controller for an extra $50. But my biggest negative is the cords I think are ugly the way you have to do them in the peninsula. Plus the controller cord it just isn’t as nice as the others in my opinion. The Nicrew comes out the long side instead of the short side like the Orphek and when that is gonna be in your face on one side that sucks. Now I could turn it so it is wide but I will most likely need an additional light. Lastly, I like the idea of potentially adding light bars down the road. That isn’t a must and the Nicrew isn’t a definite no, just don’t like the features as much as others.

Again I’ve not put them on the tank so I might would feel differently. that’s just where I am currently.

Makes sense

I don't want a phone app for any reason if I can help it these days. Nothing but a headache with all of them.

The Nicrews use Radion mounting so adding Blades or another bar is pretty easy as there are a lot of aftermarket parts available.

I was just curious. Thanks for the answer. I can't help with the others as I wouldn't touch any one of them

 

[mbsloan]

Not challenging here. Been Using Orphek a couple of decades and absolutely love them. Noopsyche is great on shimmer and havent heard any upset Nicrew owners but area coverage in tank is in question from reading owner feedback.
Reef breeders has always been a great light.... but price is on the high scale

Why do you love the Orpheks? Why do you stay with them?

 

[mbsloan]

Makes sense

I don't want a phone app for any reason if I can help it these days. Nothing but a headache with all of them.

The Nicrews use Radion mounting so adding Blades or another bar is pretty easy as there are a lot of aftermarket parts available.

I was just curious. Thanks for the answer. I can't help with the others as I wouldn't touch any one of them

So wondering why you “wouldn’t touch any one of them”? Seems very direct. Have you had bad experiences or anything? Is it just Nicrews or bust? They are not off the table, what makes you love them? What kind of tank do you have them on? What are your par levels? What don’t you like about them?

 

[mbsloan]

I'm a huge Quanta fan, so that's where I would start, but it's not my tank. I would list your priorities as most important to you and see which each light(s) offer. You can also do a hybrid of few options you listed. I still think the 4 bar combo will give you the most coverage on that size tank and you would need supplemental lights with the others listed. I think a Reefi/Quanta combo would be nice and give you more flexibility with spectrum/control. I'm old school when it comes to lighting, I pick a spectrum and simply ramp up/down and call it a day. But I get the idea of having a "blue" period to show off the colors. I love my Atlas/meso blue combo, the MB's give me the color pop and the Atlas gives me all the color rendering power.

So a couple of issues with the Quanta. I really dislike the atlas dome thing. Obviously you can use without. I’ve heard great things about Quanta and if they helix bars had a bit more features would probably be my first choice.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Why do you love the Orpheks? Why do you stay with them?

Coverage, colors, coral growth, depth penetration as i run large tanks and they never let me down. I have a couple of close employees who have been nothing but supportive especially if parts are needed

 

[VintageReefer]

The RB app is solid and easy to use, and has a online community tab with cloud sharing of profiles. If you added bars down the line they can daisy chain power from the main light and you only have one power cord to hide.

I have full tank coverage, on walls, high mounted racks, and underneath overhangs

This is less than 40% and everything is still very colorful and bright

Tank is 48x20x21 and this is 2x Meridian 11 and 2x edgebar 45

 

[exnisstech]

I'm happy with my Meridien 11 but it's only been up a couple of months on a new tank so I don't want to say too much about it. My clams seem to like it and I'm very happy with the app. If the meridian performs as well as the photons that have been running over two tanks for several years I'll be satisfied. Reefbreeders CS has been pretty awesome if that's important to you.
I can't comment on any of the other brands except radions which you already scratched off your list. Good for you, I won't be buying anymore of them.

 

[rtparty]

So wondering why you “wouldn’t touch any one of them”? Seems very direct. Have you had bad experiences or anything? Is it just Nicrews or bust? They are not off the table, what makes you love them? What kind of tank do you have them on? What are your par levels? What don’t you like about them?

Don’t care for the influencers that push Quanta

Reefbreeders is a long, private story. Tons of hobbyists have great success with them. Of your 4, this is what I would pick if I had no other options.

Orphek is a trash company IME. Came to market full of lies, got caught in those lies, and then threatened anyone that pointed out those lies. This included a phone call from the US rep to me threatening myself and my family.

It’s definitely not Nicrew or bust for me. There are a lot of great lights on market these days. The Nicrew are just fantastic lights for the price IMO.

The new ATI Straton flex lights look awesome. The Giesemann V12 is absolutely gorgeous but pricey. Best looking light on market IMO.

The Blades are fantastic lights IME as well. Ran my 250 peninsula with them for 9 months. So sleek and easy to mount.

 

[minus9]

Don’t care for the influencers that push Quanta

Reefbreeders is a long, private story. Tons of hobbyists have great success with them. Of your 4, this is what I would pick if I had nothing other options.

Orphek is a trash company IME. Came to market full of lies, got caught in those lies, and then threatened anyone that pointed out those lies. This included a phone call from the US rep to me threatening myself and my family.

It’s definitely not Nicrew or bust for me. There are a lot of great lights on market these days. The Nicrew are just fantastic lights for the price IMO.

The new ATI Straton flex lights look awesome. The Giesemann V12 is absolutely gorgeous but pricey. Best looking light on market IMO.

The Blades are fantastic lights IME as well. Ran my 250 peninsula with them for 9 months. So sleek and easy to mount.

I don't quite understand your comment about influencers who push Quanta. Luca doesn't advertise, so it's all from word of mouth and first hand experience, as he doesn't give people money to advertise for him. He certainly didn't pay me or give me a discount and I still give his products praise because I use them and they simply work. Are they for everyone, no, but I wouldn't lop him in with all the "big reefing" companies that definitely have influencers working for them.
I like the meridians, but they do the same thing Ecotech did with the radions, this is why you're seeing more and more of them in the hands of certain vendors. The markup on them is way up there too. But hey, this is a niche hobby, so prices are going to be crazy no matter what.

 

[rtparty]

I don't quite understand your comment about influencers who push Quanta. Luca doesn't advertise, so it's all from word of mouth and first hand experience, as he doesn't give people money to advertise for him. He certainly didn't pay me or give me a discount and I still give his products praise because I use them and they simply work. Are they for everyone, no, but I wouldn't lop him in with all the "big reefing" companies that definitely have influencers working for them.
I like the meridians, but they do the same thing Ecotech did with the radions, this is why you're seeing more and more of them in the hands of certain vendors. The markup on them is way up there too. But hey, this is a niche hobby, so prices are going to be crazy no matter what.

Are you an influencer? By that I mean a YouTube channel, IG page, likely a group or two for your followers to post on?

 

[VintageReefer]

I like the meridians, but they do the same thing Ecotech did with the radions,

Which is?

 

[minus9]

Are you an influencer? By that I mean a YouTube channel, IG page, likely a group or two for your followers to post on?

No. I don’t create content or review products, but I do voice my opinion on forums and at my LFS to help out products that I like and use. I’m old school, so I still push books and old school methods that work and when I see small companies, I try to support them as much as I can. Especially ones trying to do the right thing. I’ve been doing this since I was a kid, started with FW in the 70’s and moved to SW in the early 80’s, but I’m always learning new things with this hobby. I totally get the cynicism with this hobby and “big reefing”, but I’ve never found that Reefi or Quanta were part of that engine. But that’s just my take on it.