Best Supplemental LED Bars in 2025

[Biokabe]

I currently have 3 Radion XR15 (2 G4, a G5) over my Reefer 350 (about 47" long, about 18" back to front). The tank is surviving on them, but not really thriving - they're about 5 years old, so they've likely lost some oomph. I could (and probably should) increase the power, but I'd like to get some supplemental lighting on there to increase my PAR and get a little more growth in the tank.

I can add one of the strip light fixtures to my tank pretty easily, but I haven't kept up with all the current options. What are people's favorites right now for supplemental LED fixtures?

 

[TheWB]

You’ll want to look at the Quanta Bars and the Orpheks. Those seem to be the most liked. The AI Blades get love as well. I’ve been toying with the idea of figuring out how to make a couple of the Quanta Bars work with my light rack. Same issue as you, just trying to find a way to supplement what I’ve already got running (XR15 gen 4 in the middle of two Neptune Skys on a 4’ long tank).

 

[Savage Henry]

If you can get one, the vertex illumillux were low powered but very good quality.

 

[eggie]

I would honestly go with the option that affects less the way your hanging your lights. For example if your using the RMS arms to the back wall glass I would definitely go with the AI Blades they are lighter in weight and great to adjust since tehy are Mobius ready

If you have a hanging kit from the wall or ceiling then either option of Orphek, Quantas Or Blades will work fine each Orphek and quanta wieght 5 pounds per bar

Blades are very lite
I had Orphek and jump to AI blades

 

[Reefltx]

I did 4x XR15 G6 on a similar tank and did not have a problem with growth or color. The tank is SPS dominant.

 

[Hooz]

If your Radions are set to the recommended 7-8" mounting height, then I'd say Quanta Helix or AI Blades would work. Helix has a better, fuller blue spectrum than you get from the Blades, even if combine a Grow and a Glow ... BUT ... The Blades have the app and form factor in their favor.

With the recent revelations about the Orphek OR4, I would steer clear of them until they get their stuff sorted.

 

[minus9]

Quanta Helix and there are custom printed mounting options for them. Cleven on IG makes them for Luca and does custom work as well. I wouldn't waste my money on any other LED bar.

 

[gregrock68]

Quanta Helix and there are custom printed mounting options for them. Cleven on IG makes them for Luca and does custom work as well. I wouldn't waste my money on any other LED bar.

why? do you know of others in the market that are better than the Helix, AI Blades etc..?

 

[Hooz]

Quanta Helix and there are custom printed mounting options for them. Cleven on IG makes them for Luca and does custom work as well. I wouldn't waste my money on any other LED bar.

why? do you know of others in the market that are better than the Helix, AI Blades etc..?

He said he would NOT use anything OTHER THAN Quanta. For spectrum, blending, power, etc, there really isn't a better strip out there.

 

[JonoH]

I went with the AI Blades mainly so they were on the same control/app as my others, and because of how slim they are.

Have been super happy with them.

 

[gregrock68]

He said he would NOT use anything OTHER THAN Quanta. For spectrum, blending, power, etc, there really isn't a better strip out there.

Haha, yes, multi tasking again and 49% attention. Thx

 

[minus9]

Haha, yes, multi tasking again and 49% attention. Thx

As far as spectrum, par (and pur) you’re not going to find a better bar for the price. Being able to control different channels means nothing to me, especially if the “full” spectrum is a little weak. The AI blade has a really attractive form factor, but that’s where it ends for me and most of the other bars either lack the spectrum, blending or they’re simply too expensive for what you get. I’m not a features guy when it comes to lighting. Spectrum wins out over everything else, but if someone ever makes a thin panel that has a robust spectrum with shimmer, I would buy it. Imagine the Straton with a bunch of Kessil dense matrix clusters filled in with Quanta meso blue strips in between, to me, that would be the perfect fixture. But like anything else, it’s all subjective and personal preference.