Current USA R24 users

[Aparker2005]

Hey everyone. I figure this is gonna be next to impossible without a par meter, but I'm mostly just curious at this point.

I've had 5 of the 52w, and 2 of the 95w Current USA R24 Puck style lights since they were released. They were our first real light, and I've been very off and on with liking them, but haven't switched to anything else yet mostly due to cost.

I have found very varying responses on actual par from these lights.

Currently, we have 4 of the 52w, and 2 of the 95w on our 125 mixed reef. Corals are doing so so. Our 2 BTA seem to be thriving.

We will be running one 52w for my wife's tank, but likely are switching to the new Nicrew lights for it. Debating even trying the R24 52w with her 20 gallon.

For Daylight, I have recently set it to the 14k preset, which looks the best. It's 100% blues, red, and green, and 50% white. There's also a 12k with all colors at 100%.

I can't tell if I'm burning our corals or not giving them enough light, or else it's my water parameters and our lights are fine.

We lost quite a bit of coral in the last 2 years, mostly to me being lazy and not continually checking parameters. Life with a toddler got incredibly busy and my wife got very discouraged with losing so much money in coral.

Now that life's back to somewhat normal, we're both heavily back into the tanks. Got a new water test kit on the way, but I'm very unhappy with the look of any of these spectrums on the r24s.

Nicrew seems to have much better color pop and overall spectrum, but if these R24s aren't our true issue, I'm fine with keeping them. I'll post numbers here ASAP.

How are our BTA doing so well, and other corals like Duncan's, euphylia, we can't seem to keep anymore? That has to be too much light, or water parameters id think?

I feel like the anenomes should be the first thing to not be making it if it was water issues, but like I said they look wonderful and split even.

Thoughts with just this info? Here's the tank.

 

[Aparker2005]

Another thought because I have no real idea. Is it possible, with 4 52w and 9 95w, that we have TOO much light on the tank?

 

[Matt L]

I par checked a 52w one on a 20” cube tank. Par was 600 at max intensity with all channels on under the top of the water line. Blue only is about half that. I currently have four of them at 12” above the water on a frag tank at 90% blue. It is possible you have too much par if they are at 100%. I personally don’t like the full spectrum on these, the color seems off.

 

[Aparker2005]

I par checked a 52w one on a 20” cube tank. Par was 600 at max intensity with all channels on under the top of the water line. Blue only is about half that. I currently have four of them at 12” above the water on a frag tank at 90% blue. It is possible you have too much par if they are at 100%. I personally don’t like the full spectrum on these, the color seems off.

I've always thought the spectrum was off on these as well.

Currently on all 6 we have 100% blue, 50% white, 10% red, and 15% green for daylight.

We're likely switching to all Nicrew once we can afford to. Not thinking I would get much $ selling these R24s

 

[Aparker2005]

I just noticed on my 52w lights, only 7 of the blues are working. Looks like they've already burnt out. We've had them since 2020 though

 

[oreo54]

I just noticed on my 52w lights, only 7 of the blues are working. Looks like they've already burnt out. We've had them since 2020 though

Well the " blue" channel consists of 3 different nm of " blue".
8, 8, and 2 of like 440, 460,400- ish
Which colors dyed would be interesting.

When you are done with them maybe send one to @_AV to diagnose the failure point for posterity.

I believe Current gave you these as a " promotion" if sorts of their new light
I can understand not wanting to s pending $$'s on lights you got for free. Especially after 3+ years of use.
Now don't get me wrong they should last longer than 3+ years if built well.

At the led density I would have expected the larger units to have failed first. Then if they were dimmed to match the smaller output lights ther stress on ind. LEDs would be less.

Historically (and possibly arguable) the 400- ish nm LEDs would be the first to fade. I wouldn't be surprised if they failed after 3 years.
You should be able to see which failed by orientating around the red line placement

 

[Aparker2005]

Yep it's the royals and regular blues that went out. Funny too, it's the top right and bottom right corner on each that's went out.

 

[oreo54]

Yep it's the royals and regular blues that went out. Funny too, it's the top right and bottom right corner on each that's went out.

Well that's interesting.

Hooray for the violets(UV).

 

[Aparker2005]

Well that's interesting.

Hooray for the violets(UV).

I'm just wondering how much it's affecting our corals. Most are doing okay, but our Duncan is just not opening whatsoever.

Impossible to tell without a par meter

 

[legionofdoon]

I recently found that the blues were burned out on one of my 52s as well.

 

[Aparker2005]

I recently found that the blues were burned out on one of my 52s as well.

I am ditching my 52s and have got Nicrew hyperreef 200w on the way. Giving my wife my 95 watt light for her 20g until they inevitably go out as well. I'm done with Current USA products.

 

[legionofdoon]

I'm not knocking them too bad they are 5 years old. They lasted longer than my first gen reefbreeder, and I like how easy the controller is.

 

[Aparker2005]

1 of the Nicrew 200w came in. MUCH brighter. The other one comes in tomorrow. Gotta decide if 2 is gonna suffice or if I need a 3rd.

I've got the R24 running still to see if maybe 1 on each end would help, but likely ditching them all together on this tank

 

[legionofdoon]

It looks like one might do it for a 4 foot tank judging by your picture.

 

[Aparker2005]

It looks like one might do it for a 4 foot tank judging by your picture.

I'll know today with the r24s completely gone and the other nicrew on!

 

[legionofdoon]

So do you think one would work for a 4 foot tank?

 

[Aparker2005]

So do you think one would work for a 4 foot tank?

I may would still do 2 of the lower wattage ones for a 48" tank

 

[legionofdoon]

What are your settings?

 

[furam28]

I got a couple of the 52w r24s with a tank I purchased. I was not planning to keep them, since I switched to T5s. However, on testing, I noticed, in both lights, 9 out of the 16 blue / royal blue LEDs were out. Not the UVs, whites, reds or greens. Just the blues: 9 dead, 7 working. Interestingly it's the exact same LEDs on both that burned out. I guess it's an issue with these lights. Overall, I think build quality, app and price is good, but the blue LEDs burn out.

 

[lmore84]

I par checked a 52w one on a 20” cube tank. Par was 600 at max intensity with all channels on under the top of the water line. Blue only is about half that. I currently have four of them at 12” above the water on a frag tank at 90% blue. It is possible you have too much par if they are at 100%. I personally don’t like the full spectrum on these, the color seems off.

Do you have any information on where about to get new leds..I just picked up 2 and some leds aren't working. I've looked but can't really find any replacements! TIA