Does anyone actually make decent lights?

[cedwards04]

I’m thinking about switching back to the old-school metal halide + T5 setup. It just seems like corals respond better to that combo. I’ve been running Radion G5/G6 and Orphek, but I’m curious to go back and compare results

I have definitely considered metal halides with some led strip lights. I can't go t5 bc they give my wife headaches. The problem with halides for me is that bulbs are getting harder to find and so are other parts. Unless something has changed that I don't know about. I dont like halides will be an option for much longer.

 

[Quantum.Reef]

Honestly, I don’t think T5/halides have much of a future. The biggest issue right now is how hard it is to find bulbs. I keep checking ebay/Amazon and grab them whenever they’re in stock, that way I’m covered for the next 3–5 years.

 

[Yazannreef]

I have definitely considered metal halides with some led strip lights. I can't go t5 bc they give my wife headaches. The problem with halides for me is that bulbs are getting harder to find and so are other parts. Unless something has changed that I don't know about. I dont like halides will be an option for much longer.

Well im still runing Halide/ t5 /LED combo. Best of all worlds. Bulbs sourcing is not an issue at all( im using 10k from Aquabrightsolutions and they are still producing bulbs and have no intention of stopping.I can do without t5 if I want to as well just like the blanket of light they provide. If I were to switch out from halides I will go GHL mitras. Reefbum for instance is my guide as he changed his Halides for Mitras without skipping a beat!!

 

[jez]

Radion G6, I still think they are hard to beat especially if you like to see detail on your corals and good color rendition on your fish. People these days who are rating lights on a narrow subset of primary wave lengths used for photosynthesis I presume do not appreciate the beauty and detail of coral shape and form and just want blue. I wanted more par than spread so the narrow angle lens pumps that back up but if you are working with LPS or mixed then the standard lens gets you a lot of coverage.

As for Straton X they are a nice slim design with good output and no fans. The App is definitely G1 but they have said this version will get you up and running and do the basics you need, with more of the nice to haves coming in later editions

 

[cedwards04]

Radion G6, I still think they are hard to beat especially if you like to see detail on your corals and good color rendition on your fish. People these days who are rating lights on a narrow subset of primary wave lengths used for photosynthesis I presume do not appreciate the beauty and detail of coral shape and form and just want blue. I wanted more par than spread so the narrow angle lens pumps that back up but if you are working with LPS or mixed then the standard lens gets you a lot of coverage.

As for Straton X they are a nice slim design with good output and no fans. The App is definitely G1 but they have said this version will get you up and running and do the basics you need, with more of the nice to haves coming in later editions

I had radion g4's and radion g5's in the past. Wasn't impressed with the color blending on either one. Also, hated the mobius app. I don't think i would consider g6's.

 

[Quantum.Reef]

Well im still runing Halide/ t5 /LED combo. Best of all worlds. Bulbs sourcing is not an issue at all( im using 10k from Aquabrightsolutions and they are still producing bulbs and have no intention of stopping.I can do without t5 if I want to as well just like the blanket of light they provide. If I were to switch out from halides I will go GHL mitras. Reefbum for instance is my guide as he changed his Halides for Mitras without skipping a beat!!

Sorry, kinda off topic, but I’m curious, where can I learn more about your light setup?

 

[Yazannreef]

Sorry, kinda off topic, but I’m curious, where can I learn more about your light setup?

Just send me a private message

 

[sjfishguy]

I too like you can’t stand the pinkish fake look for reefi unos and I really don’t like the way radions look either. I went with orphek naturas and it by far puts out the nicest led light of any led I have seen. It is the closest thing to the old 14k Phoenix halide I have ever been able to find. The app sucks to program, but is reliable. My acros are growing like crazy.