A8 or NICREW

[shaggydoo92]

I was wondering what everyone's thoughts are on the A8 from Alibaba as well as the NICREW Gen 2 lights

 

[bradreef]

A8se max is a great value and will hang with any light for performance.

 

[shaggydoo92]

A8se max is a great value and will hang with any light for performance.

Is that what you are using? I heard the se is using cheaper Chinese LEDs and motherboard? I'm not sure if I have that other one right but there was two things that was using Chinese parts and then there was one that is just an A8 but I guess it is using Cree LEDs and a couple better parts?

 

[bradreef]

Is that what you are using? I heard the se is using cheaper Chinese LEDs and motherboard? I'm not sure if I have that other one right but there was two things that was using Chinese parts and then there was one that is just an A8 but I guess it is using Cree LEDs and a couple better parts?

Yes. I have 2 older ones and two newer Max. They work very well.

 

[shaggydoo92]

Is that what you are using? I heard the se is using cheaper Chinese LEDs and motherboard? I'm not sure if I have that other one right but there was two things that was using Chinese parts and then there was one that is just an A8 but I guess it is using Cree LEDs and a couple better parts?

Yes. I have 2 older ones and two newer Max. They work very well.

I was just nervous about buying them cuz I'm either hearing really good reviews or really bad reviews like one guy was saying his lights were set and then came on at 100% And basically bleached everything in his tank and things like that so not really sure what the deal is

 

[bradreef]

I was just nervous about buying them cuz I'm either hearing really good reviews or really bad reviews like one guy was saying his lights were set and then came on at 100% And basically bleached everything in his tank and things like that so not really sure what the deal is

There are some weird things with the app. Once it runs it continues to hold the schedule.

 

[shaggydoo92]

I was just nervous about buying them cuz I'm either hearing really good reviews or really bad reviews like one guy was saying his lights were set and then came on at 100% And basically bleached everything in his tank and things like that so not really sure what the deal is

There are some weird things with the app. Once it runs it continues to hold the schedule.

Okay thank you for the reply i appreciate it

And did you do anything like apply this thermal paste people talk about or anything?

 

[CarpetSurfer]

A8 100%. App isn’t great but you’ll get the hang of it. Plus Radion lens also work on them which is the 1 thing I would upgrade since the stock are cheap Chinese ones. The high intensity Radion lens work perfectly. I have both and even if something does go wrong with the a8(which I have had happen) they sell replacement parts for cheap. Like a whole new led panel was only $65 when one of the channels failed after years of use.

 

[bradreef]

Okay thank you for the reply i appreciate it

And did you do anything like apply this thermal paste people talk about or anything?

I've done one with thermal paste. I figured it can't hurt. But, haven't bothered with the others

 

[shaggydoo92]

Okay thank you for the reply i appreciate it

And did you do anything like apply this thermal paste people talk about or anything?

I've done one with thermal paste. I figured it can't hurt. But, haven't bothered with the others

Okay that's good to know I was thinking Papa just doing that anyway with what people were saying, what schedule and intensity are you running on those lights?

 

[Aaron75]

Another supporter for the a8se. Running 2 a8se blue on my new tank 10" over with a 28"x28" coverage and get plenty of par.

 

[gkprevite]

Is that what you are using? I heard the se is using cheaper Chinese LEDs and motherboard? I'm not sure if I have that other one right but there was two things that was using Chinese parts and then there was one that is just an A8 but I guess it is using Cree LEDs and a couple better parts?

They use Cree according to one of the recent ads I saw

 

[Aaron75]

They use Cree according to one of the recent ads I saw

The pro use cree, the se use something else. Lights havent been out long enough to see if it really matters.

 

[CBonito]

The new 200w Nicrew with the 3 clusters looks like a nice light to me.
And any shots I've seen of them over tanks, the corals look excellent.

There are a lot of people here who have them.

Anyone have any real experience with the Nicrew to speak of?

 

[Aaron75]

The new 200w Nicrew with the 3 clusters looks like a nice light to me.
And any shots I've seen of them over tanks, the corals look excellent.

There are a lot of people here who have them.

Anyone have any real experience with the Nicrew to speak of?

The Nicrew probably is a good light. But you can get 2 a8se for the cost of 1 nicrew.

 

[shaggydoo92]

A8 100%. App isn’t great but you’ll get the hang of it. Plus Radion lens also work on them which is the 1 thing I would upgrade since the stock are cheap Chinese ones. The high intensity Radion lens work perfectly. I have both and even if something does go wrong with the a8(which I have had happen) they sell replacement parts for cheap. Like a whole new led panel was only $65 when one of the channels failed after years of use.

Thank you for your reply, was that what you had go wrong with it was one of the channels failed after a year??

 

[shaggydoo92]

They use Cree according to one of the recent ads I saw

The pro use cree, the se use something else. Lights havent been out long enough to see if it really matters.

Yeah I was considering just buying the one with the cree LED just because they were much cheaper than any other light anyways this might as well spend a little extra and hopefully get the better one and I believe that one comes with a better power brick or something like that?

 

[shaggydoo92]

The new 200w Nicrew with the 3 clusters looks like a nice light to me.
And any shots I've seen of them over tanks, the corals look excellent.

There are a lot of people here who have them.

Anyone have any real experience with the Nicrew to speak of?

Yeah id love to hear any real feedback about either light!

 

[shaggydoo92]

Another supporter for the a8se. Running 2 a8se blue on my new tank 10" over with a 28"x28" coverage and get plenty of par.

What is your lighting schedule and intensity?

 

[CarpetSurfer]

A8 100%. App isn’t great but you’ll get the hang of it. Plus Radion lens also work on them which is the 1 thing I would upgrade since the stock are cheap Chinese ones. The high intensity Radion lens work perfectly. I have both and even if something does go wrong with the a8(which I have had happen) they sell replacement parts for cheap. Like a whole new led panel was only $65 when one of the channels failed after years of use.

Thank you for your reply, was that what you had go wrong with it was one of the channels failed after a year??

I have one of the very first gen ones that has been in use for 2-3 years and there was a problem where one of the blue spectrums wouldn’t work. Rest of light was fine but to fix I contacted one of the suppliers through aliexpress and they sold me a brand new whole LED panel for $65. Involved taking off and on 15 screws but that was it super easy. And now I have practically a brand new light for $65

I also have a nicrew which also works fine (most lights these days grow corals) but for the price and customizability of the A8 plus ability to get replacement parts is a big plus. They even make shades, diffusers, and mounts for the A8