G4 Pro vs. G5

mstgkillr · Feb 17, 2020

Now that the G4 Pro (with diffuser) is on sale for $672, and the G5 Pro/Blue has been released at $840, just wondering what everyone plans to go with.

Icemam457 · Feb 17, 2020

i am upgrading to 8 gen 5 pros.

mikeintoronto · Feb 17, 2020

mstgkillr said:
Now that the G4 Pro (with diffuser) is on sale for $672, and the G5 Pro/Blue has been released at $840, just wondering what everyone plans to go with.

I’m not in the market for lights but without Apex support on the G5, I’d buy G4’s right now if I wanted to go EcoTech.

ESH · Feb 17, 2020

My system currently uses G4’s, and they are about 1-2 years old. I’m sticking with gen4s for now and picked up 2 more G4’s w/diffusers for my frag tank. Can’t beat the 20% off & free diffuser. I have no clue what the expected lifespan of these lights are, but maybe in a few years I will start to upgrade. If I started an entirely new tank, which I prolly will this summer, then I would consider starting w/gen 5s.

Ricky_Reef · Mar 19, 2020

Sticking with my T5 Hybrid and Gen4 Pro's with diffusers. They have been doing a great job and i definitely don't want to screw with lights after i finally have everything stable and doing good. Not sure if 2 Gen5's would even do as good of a job as my T5/LED hybrid set up anyway.

wcharon · Mar 20, 2020

Ricky_Reef said:
Sticking with my T5 Hybrid and Gen4 Pro's with diffusers. They have been doing a great job and i definitely don't want to screw with lights after i finally have everything stable and doing good. Not sure if 2 Gen5's would even do as good of a job as my T5/LED hybrid set up anyway.

What T5 Hybrid you have? I am Ok with my ATI 6 Bulbs T5 but the electric bill is killing me so i am evaluating if i should go full Led, Hybrid or the ATI Hybrid lighting.

Will have to evaluate cost vs long run benefits.

Thanks in advance...

Ricky_Reef · Mar 20, 2020

wcharon said:
What T5 Hybrid you have? I am Ok with my ATI 6 Bulbs T5 but the electric bill is killing me so i am evaluating if i should go full Led, Hybrid or the ATI Hybrid lighting.

Will have to evaluate cost vs long run benefits.

Thanks in advance...

Noopsyche P1802 Hybrid LED T5 Fixture 36" | Aquarium Specialty

Noopsyche P1802 Hybrid LED T5 Fixture 36". Works with most major brands of LED lights.

www.aquariumspecialty.com

This thing has been fantastic, built in controller, adjustable and only One power cord for 4 bulbs.

45ZoaGarden · Mar 20, 2020

The g4 and g5 are essentially the same fixtures. The questions you have to ask yourself are:

How many units do I need?

do I want to get the maximum amount of spread out of each unit?

These are a few important questions. The g5 has a lot more spread and would require less units to cover a tank. Another benefit is the single strip of light opposed to pucks which would reduce shimmer and the disco ball effect.

45ZoaGarden · Mar 20, 2020

I would personally go with the G4’s because one unit would cover my whole tank no problem :)

ca1ore · Mar 20, 2020

My gen4 pros have plenty of life left in them so I went out and bought one more.

AJsReef · Mar 20, 2020

I sold my Gen4s and picked up Gen5 Blues. I was running AB+ so really wanted to be able to boost PAR levels up. Spread tests better overall but obviously depends on usage case. Negatives, fans are noisier and as of now Mobius has a lot of room for improvement. What I can’t assess, long term growth and long term spread advantages to prevent shadowing, etc

Honestly, Gen4s are the best bang for your buck currently.

Ricky_Reef · Mar 22, 2020

AJsReef said:
I sold my Gen4s and picked up Gen5 Blues. I was running AB+ so really wanted to be able to boost PAR levels up. Spread tests better overall but obviously depends on usage case. Negatives, fans are noisier and as of now Mobius has a lot of room for improvement. What I can’t assess, long term growth and long term spread advantages to prevent shadowing, etc

Honestly, Gen4s are the best bang for your buck currently.

Exactly why I kept my Gen4 Pros with Noopsyche T5Hybrid, G5's only ain't gonna match that PAR and spread.

AJsReef · Mar 22, 2020

Ricky_Reef said:
Exactly why I kept my Gen4 Pros with Noopsyche T5Hybrid, G5's only ain't gonna match that PAR and spread.

To be fair, I get 420+ front to back at 15” depth with 390+ at 24” sand bed at 100%. The spread is substantially better than Gen4. How that equates to growth when colonies are dense I can’t determine personally as I just rebooted so only frags for me.

Ricky_Reef · Mar 22, 2020

AJsReef said:
To be fair, I get 420+ front to back at 15” depth with 390+ at 24” sand bed at 100%. The spread is substantially better than Gen4. How that equates to growth when colonies are dense I can’t determine personally as I just rebooted so only frags for me.

I'm running mine at 75% Intensity on AB+ schedule, 2 Gen4 Pros with diffusers, 4 ATI blue plus bulbs in the hybrid mounted 9" from surface. Top portion of the tank is between 500 and 600, 350 middle and around 225 on bottom. Scared to turn them up to 100% lol

Superlightman · Apr 28, 2022

With the g5 you loose par and the spectrum is much worse ,see here the comparison between the g4 and g5.the red line is the g5 pro.

wcharon · Apr 28, 2022

Superlightman said:
With the g5 you loose par and the spectrum is much worse ,see here the comparison between the g4 and g5.the red line is the g5 pro.

Waooooo. I was thinking on the switch from T5 to G5 and didn't know of this. I really like the wide coverage of the G5.

Thanks for pointing it out. Thoughts, thoughts.

Superlightman · Apr 28, 2022

wcharon said:
Waooooo. I was thinking on the switch from T5 to G5 and didn't know of this. I really like the wide coverage of the G5.

Thanks for pointing it out. Thoughts, thoughts.

Keep your t5 , to have good results and coverage with the radions ,I had to add twice the recommended amount and I ended to add again some t5 as the results in growth and colors were not so good as t5 for some corals.I consider actually go full t5 again.

wcharon · Apr 28, 2022

Superlightman said:
Keep your t5 , to have good results and coverage with the radions ,I had to add twice the recommended amount and I ended to add again some t5 as the results in growth and colors were not so good as t5 for some corals.I consider actually go full t5 again.

Thanks @Superlightman for the advise. Seems it is the best option at the moment.

X-37B · Apr 28, 2022

On my new 48x24x16 growout I will be running 2 xr15 gen 5 blue.
This should work well for my application. My bottom to water is 13.5" and with 2 15"x15"x1.5" frag racks my water to racks will be 12". I dont plan on any supplemental lighting for this system.
I am going used though. Just purchased 1 with arm and diffuser for $345 shipped which I think is a pretty good eal.