AI Blade Grow - I’m a believer

[ElementReefer]

I’ve been running a Blade Grow 30” as the only light on my 20 gallon long LPS and Softie tank for about a year now, and I thought I’d give it a review.

I have to say, it blows my Nicrews out of the water. It’s surprisingly powerful, I use the optional tank mounting brackets and keep it at around 30% at peak for this shallow tank application. I could go higher for better coral pigments, but I don’t have time for the algae fight.

More importantly, they freaking nailed the spectrum. I don’t want to dump on Nicrew, they give you the PAR per dollar you need to get into this hobby. But AI has made me a convert on spectrum vs PAR. It’s no contest.

 

[19Mateo83]

Good looking tank! I love that spectrum for softies. But…. I know I won’t be the first to comment so…

 

[ElementReefer]

Good looking tank! I love that spectrum for softies. But…. I know I won’t be the first to comment so…

Tang police has become such a meme that I can’t tell anymore when it’s being used as a joke and when it’s virtue signaling.

 

[19Mateo83]

I’m just messin with ya

 

[Sean Clark]

Don't worry about the Tang police. They don't know that you are sending me the yellow tang when it outgrows that 20 gallon in another month or so.

 

[rtparty]

The Blades definitely work and I love them. Ran my 250 on them for 9 months. My current 25g Waterbox has 3 of them over it. Total overkill but eh

However, the new Nicrew is miles ahead of the Blade. Way more PAR per dollar and a much better spectrum.

 

[spsick]

I love them and would have some if they chose a spectrum that included anything in the 400-430nm range on the grow model.

 

[ElementReefer]

Don't worry about the Tang police. They don't know that you are sending me the yellow tang when it outgrows that 20 gallon in another month or so.

Don’t worry, when he outgrows the 20 I have a 10 cube for him.

 

[ElementReefer]

I love them and would have some if they chose a spectrum that included anything in the 400-430nm range on the grow model.

Oh I heard they solved that! They’re calling it “buy the Glow model.”

In seriousness though, I do understand that with this particular product and price point, they could either add LEDs and make it too hot, or replace LEDs and lose PAR. It’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all product.

 

[ElVeeShreck]

I’ve been running a Blade Grow 30” as the only light on my 20 gallon long LPS and Softie tank for about a year now, and I thought I’d give it a review.

I have to say, it blows my Nicrews out of the water. It’s surprisingly powerful, I use the optional tank mounting brackets and keep it at around 30% at peak for this shallow tank application. I could go higher for better coral pigments, but I don’t have time for the algae fight.

More importantly, they freaking nailed the spectrum. I don’t want to dump on Nicrew, they give you the PAR per dollar you need to get into this hobby. But AI has made me a convert on spectrum vs PAR. It’s no contest.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I’ve been running a Blade Grow 30” as the only light on my 20 gallon long LPS and Softie tank for about a year now, and I thought I’d give it a review.

I have to say, it blows my Nicrews out of the water. It’s surprisingly powerful, I use the optional tank mounting brackets and keep it at around 30% at peak for this shallow tank application. I could go higher for better coral pigments, but I don’t have time for the algae fight.

More importantly, they freaking nailed the spectrum. I don’t want to dump on Nicrew, they give you the PAR per dollar you need to get into this hobby. But AI has made me a convert on spectrum vs PAR. It’s no contest.

Your coral look amazing!

 

[ElementReefer]

Your coral look amazing!

Aw thanks!

 

[Justfebreezeit]

also have a single 30" grow over my 20 long and its growing everything so far. Including the easier sps. gunna throw a couple acros in soon

 

[ElementReefer]

also have a single 30" grow over my 20 long and its growing everything so far. Including the easier sps. gunna throw a couple acros in soon

Yup! Have some frags off a monti in there from an…incident lol. Recovering well.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Thank you for the review. I'm pondering one for my new 48" tank and I see reviews where people are complaining that one side is a different color than the other.

 

[ElementReefer]

Thank you for the review. I'm pondering one for my new 48" tank and I see reviews where people are complaining that one side is a different color than the other.

Yes. They had a manufacturing error where each bank of blue-blue-white LEDs was facing the same direction. They’ve since corrected it where they alternate, and when I got a unit that had the issue they quickly replaced it.

 

[RMS18]

The Blades definitely work and I love them. Ran my 250 on them for 9 months. My current 25g Waterbox has 3 of them over it. Total overkill but eh

However, the new Nicrew is miles ahead of the Blade. Way more PAR per dollar and a much better spectrum.

You're referring to the HyperReef or their older strip light?

 

[rtparty]

You're referring to the HyperReef or their older strip light?

The new Gen 2. Hyperreef sounds right