Light recommendations needed. I’m picky about spectrums.

[Miami Reef]

I ordered Radion G6 from my LFS, but I can still cancel it/change it. The more I read, the more I worry that I made the wrong choice.


Here’s my criteria:

Strong 430nm and 450nm peak, with a wide blue band.

I need enough Reds at 660nm. It should have a nice peak that I can adjust.

I also need some amber light at 600nm, but this is less critical. Just enough is OK.

The lights would ideally be well built and easily adjustable with an app. It would also be high powered that can push par. I don’t want to worry about certain diodes constantly burning out, etc.


What do you think fits my criteria?

 

[Slocke]

If I was going to redo my lights I’d get:
https://shop.orphek.com/products/na...YvB6ACWXEd7xB-mzM-mUect-JYniMVdBSlMnELlVmBEOp

 

[Miami Reef]

Someone else just recommended those to me.

It hits all the criteria I’m looking for. I’d ideally want a tiny bit more 670nm red.

I think that’s the light I’m going to end up with. It hits every aspect I mentioned.

 

[rtparty]

Nicrew Gen 2 and make sure you actually like LEDs. Better than Radions at 25% the cost.

Giesemann V12 if you want a higher end, super polished looking fixture. When priced out, they’re actually a good deal

I wouldn’t touch Reefi, Orphek, Red Sea, Quanta, the new AI Hydra Edge, maybe a couple others I’m forgetting

 

[Miami Reef]

I wouldn’t touch Reefi, Orphek

Why not Orphek?

Necrew Gen 2 has a good price and spectrum, but doesn’t seem to have control through a mobile app.

 

[spsick]

Tank size?

 

[Miami Reef]

Tank size?

260 gallon 96”x24”x26”

 

[rtparty]

Why not Orphek?

Necrew Gen 2 has a good price and spectrum, but doesn’t seem to have control through a mobile app.

Orphek is a horrible company with bad service and they silence anyone sharing their experiences on their social media.

Not having a mobile app should be a higher priority IMO. The apps mostly suck and then your light becomes dependent on having connection to be changed or altered.

 

[hart24601]

I recommend the orphek. I had nothing but good experiences with them and service and really liked the fixture. I upgraded the light a few times as they came out with improvements and I really appreciated they could be upgraded without much effort.

 

[spsick]

260 gallon 96”x24”x26”

Oh boy well T5 is out then! Sheesh how many Radion did you order for that beast?

GHL LB3 might be an option for you. A mix of their coral pop and freshwater or something. Only one I have experienced with that meets your criteria.

Straton Pro maybe but it will cost you the price of a new motorcycle.

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

If I was going to redo my lights I’d get:
https://shop.orphek.com/products/na...YvB6ACWXEd7xB-mzM-mUect-JYniMVdBSlMnELlVmBEOp

agreed, I think Miami would be better off with this or the new ReefBreeders Meridians.

 

[jonelder68]

Reefi uno’s. Best price with huge potential! They’re so powerful but fully adjustable. Create your own spectrum or use a default. Reefi lets you have whatever you want. Not to mention the best customer service.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

@Miami Reef I have 10 XR30s. I have 8 over my main display, along with T5s and Halides. Personally, I think the hybrid is the absolute best approach. Are you looking at Pro or Blue? I have 4 and 4 over my display. There is a very noticeable power difference, Pro puts out about 10-15% more PAR.

OK, so I am not going to talk spectrum. I’ll let experts go there. I’ll tell you this, I’m in the process of deciding between Mitras 7206 or Kessil (A500 either/or/both AP9X), as I am moving away from these lights.

- I run my lights pretty dang hard. I’m 14 hours a day, of which I think 8 are all channels 100% and schedule at 95%, I’ve been working to 100/100 for 8 months now. I’ve burned out multiple clusters along the way. Yes, Ecotech fixes them, but not for free for lights out of the warranty period.
- The lights are bluetooth not WiFi. Personally, I can’t believe that for $1k a light, they aren’t, yet my $11 Kasa plugs are.
- Mobius is a joke at best. The internal clock issues are pathetic. Due to the amount of lights I have, At least once a month I have schedule issues. And at least once a week I have a rogue light so its own thing.
The lights themselves don’t hold up greatly. Up until last week I had 5 fans on my system to help with temp management (added a big arsed chiller, what a game changer). I don’t have humidity issues as my fishroom has a whole house dehumidifier that is made for a space 10x the size of my fish room. Ive had to replace the black top portion of the light on 4 separate lights due to corrosion. (I evap 14g for a system >525g)
- I’ve had two lights never thought the water that had internal screws show signs of rust.


Im gonna make the switch. And I am sure that there are 100 people that will say they are the greatest light in the world.

I purposely opted for G5 over G6. Mostly because I didn’t need that extra spread. In fact, I put the retrofit high intensity lenses on them. That is an incredible upgrade. My lights sit 15 inches over the water and zero light splash. Looks crazy cool at night. Tank glows and my floor does not.

You’re mileage will for sure vary though.

 

[Miami Reef]

Are you looking at Pro or Blue? I have 4 and 4 over my display.

I initially ordered the pros, but I don’t run my tank that white, so there would be a big loss in par.

I changed to blues, but it’s missing the reds and some amber.

I was thinking of trying a 50/50 but I thought the tank would look weird with alternating spectrums. I’m imagining the tank having visible sections of too blue and too white.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I initially ordered the pros, but I don’t run my tank that white, so there would be a big loss in par.

I changed to blues, but it’s missing the reds and some amber.

I was thinking of trying a 50/50 but I thought the tank would look weird with alternating spectrums. I’m imagining the tank having visible sections of too blue and too white.

The naked eye CANNOT tell. I alternate white/blue/white/blue. When I am in Full Spectrum I also have the other two components on the entire time, to be fair. But for the delta it’s only the radions. And I cannot tell. Here is my PAR-

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I should redo that. That was in December. I’m much past those %s now. and I know I have rocks that are in the 1k now. I’m going to switch from Ushio 10K to Radium’s. So, I’m not sure what that will do to my par. I’m thinking it’s going to drop back a bit.

 

[Miami Reef]

The naked eye CANNOT tell. I alternate white/blue/white/blue. When I am in Full Spectrum I also have the other two components on the entire time, to be fair. But for the delta it’s only the radions. And I cannot tell. Here is my PAR-

Thanks. Doing a 50/50 would be the best of both worlds. I like the high blues, but I also like some full spectrum.

I like Echotech’s customer service. I use their return pumps, and they’ve been excellent. I’d feel comfortable using their brand.

 

[DanyL]

I already gave my recommendations earlier, I think this might help you further visualize the differences:

An old video I shot a couple of years ago that shows the spectrum I run on peak, which resembles a mixture of MH + T5 hybrid:


And of course, it can go as white and as blue or purple as you wish.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

@Miami Reef yeah, I totally agree on the pumps. I have 5 L2’s and a couple S2s on the system, they are incredible pumps. But I hate Mobius. But, I can get around Mobius intuitively with the Versa’s. I wish they had something to compete with an A400. I have that on my main loop. I’m not sure why, but I don’t need to maintain that one on the same cadence as the L2’s.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I already gave my recommendations earlier, I think this might help you further visualize the differences:

An old video I shot a couple of years ago that shows the spectrum I run on peak, which resembles a mixture of MH + T5 hybrid:


And of course, it can go as white and as blue or purple as you wish.

I keep hearing a bunch about these fixtures. Is this the guy that spun these up on the side? (Not trying to hyjack, sorry @Miami Reef ). I’ve got a foot print issue. I need my replacement light to fit within my existing foot print though. I’m not redesigning my rack at this point. The skin has finally grown back over all my knuckles.