I'm torn between choices.

[drezden88]

I'm setting up a 180 6x2x2. Will be sps only looking for around 200 par at the bottom for encrusting montis. Tank has 2 cross supports dang near evenly spaced. I've narrowed it down I think to 3 daula x4 or two reef breeder meridian 35. Both have bar options which I would like to add down the road when I run into shadowing. What's y'all's opinions? App control is honestly an after thought as I set once and don't touch ever again. I do enjoy a more white balanced tank. My idea look is something like a t4 4 blue plus 3 coral plus. And one atinic.

 

[minus9]

Quanta Helix bar combo.

 

[BryanM]

Reefbreeders, I love my meridian63.

 

[drezden88]

Reefbreeders, I love my meridian63.

Honestly what surprised and impressed me the most was the customer support. I emailed them with my goals and plan. Liam personally called me and talked on the phone for over an hour. That alone is what hooked me.

 

[drezden88]

Do they daisy chain? I really don't want 4 plugs if I could help it.

Quanta Helix bar combo.

 

[BryanM]

Honestly what surprised and impressed me the most was the customer support. I emailed them with my goals and plan. Liam personally called me and talked on the phone for over an hour. That alone is what hooked me.

Yep, super responsive, helpful, also a small business, like to support them.

 

[minus9]

Do they daisy chain? I really don't want 4 plugs if I could help it.

No daisy chain with them. You can plug them into a power strip and control via 0-10v dimming. Or plug them into a timer w/multiple outlets, there are plenty of outdoor timers that would work in this situation and what I use on my son's tank to turn on the older Quanta meso blues.

 

[steveschuerger]

Another vote for RB if on fence. I used Photon v2 as well previously as well. Solid lights , super responsive customer support.

 

[Science/G]

You can daisy chain the Reef breeder meridians and purchase a 450watt (just enough) or 600 watt power supply. One and done. These lights are great. Amazing punch, beautiful full spectrum with all channels at 100% or a great blue/violet look for later in the day or all the time if desired. Zero lights spill, great blending and a solid app also. And, don't get me started on the 3500K and 5000k LEDs....awesome

 

[painter1982]

I’d look at the Straton X. I’m impressed with mine.

 

[drezden88]

I’d look at the Straton X. I’m impressed with mine.

I was thinking about that but it would run me 3k to light the tank. Paired with almost no mounting options for rimmed tasks which I have. I don't wanna have to use extruded aluminum and create something custom if I wanna add bars later.

 

[drezden88]

You can daisy chain the Reef breeder meridians and purchase a 450watt (just enough) or 600 watt power supply. One and done. These lights are great. Amazing punch, beautiful full spectrum with all channels at 100% or a great blue/violet look for later in the day or all the time if desired. Zero lights spill, great blending and a solid app also. And, don't get me started on the 3500K and 5000k LEDs....awesome

I think I've made up my mind with the RB. They check all the boxes. Liam recommended going up on the power supply for that reason when I talked to him on the phone. The new shallow reef version is suppose to be closer to the 14k mh look from back in the day I love so much.

 

[Science/G]

I think I've made up my mind with the RB. They check all the boxes. Liam recommended going up on the power supply for that reason when I talked to him on the phone. The new shallow reef version is suppose to be closer to the 14k mh look from back in the day I love so much.

Double the 3500k and 5500K LEDs on separate channels.... awesome! They really clean up the light allowing you to run the blues high for maximum pop without that hazy T5 Blue+ look

 

[drezden88]

Double the 3500k and 5500K LEDs on separate channels.... awesome! They really clean up the light allowing you to run the blues high for maximum pop without that hazy T5 Blue+ look

I'm excited can't wait. Waiting on Liam to call me back to put my order in.

 

[drezden88]

No daisy chain with them. You can plug them into a power strip and control via 0-10v dimming. Or plug them into a timer w/multiple outlets, there are plenty of outdoor timers that would work in this situation and what I use on my son's tank to turn on the older Quanta meso blues.

That's a no go for me. I really wanted to give the Atlas a go but it's been out of stock for 8 months and Luca hasn't responded my email about the availability in the future.

 

[oreo54]

I'm setting up a 180 6x2x2. Will be sps only looking for around 200 par at the bottom for encrusting montis. Tank has 2 cross supports dang near evenly spaced. I've narrowed it down I think to 3 daula x4 or two reef breeder meridian 35. Both have bar options which I would like to add down the road when I run into shadowing. What's y'all's opinions? App control is honestly an after thought as I set once and don't touch ever again. I do enjoy a more white balanced tank. My idea look is something like a t4 4 blue plus 3 coral plus. And one atinic.

Sounds like you could live with Viparspectras or other " black box" LEDs
Generally few use more than like 25% of the " white" channel.
Simple timer/ dimmer functions, can be daisy chained, and tight optics push par deep.

Hanging/ mounting and adding bars is a bit of a diy situation.
Do remember they are actually only 110w each for the smaller boxes
Their "135" (same for other sizes) is deceiving and 50% ( approx) of that power is in the "white" side

 

[minus9]

That's a no go for me. I really wanted to give the Atlas a go but it's been out of stock for 8 months and Luca hasn't responded my email about the availability in the future.

He just posted a timeline for restocking:
Helix 6/15
Atlas 7/15
Light controller 8/1
Panel Light (both models) 9/15