Lighting for 180 Reef

[ptine_6]

I've been doing some research into which lights would work for a 6'x2'x2' 180 and I really like the radion XR15s . I was planning on getting 3 of those, because the tank is rimmed and has the 2 braces so its broken up into 3 sections. Would 3 of those be enough? or should I go with a bigger light or add them to a fixture. Also if anyone can think of any other fixtures or lights that would provide enough spread let me know.

 

[exnisstech]

Depends on what coral you want to keep. XR15s are pretty week lights despite all the hype. I have three Gen 4 XR15s which are supposed to be stronger than the Gen5s and 6s I had them over a 72x24x24" 180 but ended up replacing them with 6 noopsyche k7 III pros. With the K7s I was able to get 300 par on the bottom left side where kept my clams.

This is the 180 under the noops before I moved to a 84x30x25" tank.

The noops worked so well I transferred them over to the new tank.

EDIT: I no longer have the results but I did par test the noops vs the Gen4 XR15s with an apogee 510 meter and the noops made the radions looks pretty pathetic as far as par output.

 

[bradreef]

Xr15 are underpowered for the price. You would max out at LPS and lowlight SPS with near full power. It's just very limiting whereas you could get a light like a reefi. Uno 2 for less and almost 3 times the power.

 

[bradreef]

The other thing is that it's a small footprint so you will get shadowing. If you only want low light corals and money doesn't matter, there are better options for the money that have better spread.

 

[twentyleagues]

I have the same tank I am setting up right now. I also have a 28x28x24" tank running. The "cube" tank has a single Reefi uno 2.0 pro on it and I love the light. There is some shadowing as corals grow out but I think I am asking a bit much from a single light tbh. I purchased 3 uno 2.1 pros to cover the 180. I have a feeling I will need a bar or 2 to reduce shading eventually. I would love to post a pic but since its not set up yet I can't.
With the Reefi you get the 90 degree reflector installed and a 120 in the box, also you can remove the reflectors and get a 160 degree spread. I am using the 120 on the cube tank to cover all the way to the glass. I will be probably using the 90s on the 3 going over the 180. I have been looking at the helix for down the road.

 

[rtparty]

Skip Reefi and get the new Gen 2 Nicrew. Better light in every way for less money.

You can get 3 of the 200s for less than 2 Radion XR15s and will have way more spread and light. Another bonus is the hardwired controller with no app to run them.

The 150s will cover 2*2 as well and you can save even more money that way. Tank mounts included with all of them

 

[DeadEnd]

Skip Reefi and get the new Gen 2 Nicrew. Better light in every way for less money.

You can get 3 of the 200s for less than 2 Radion XR15s and will have way more spread and light. Another bonus is the hardwired controller with no app to run them.

The 150s will cover 2*2 as well and you can save even more money that way. Tank mounts included with all of them

I was just about to buy some Reefis... Now I need to do some research on the Nicrews lol

 

[bradreef]

I was just about to buy some Reefis... Now I need to do some research on the Nicrews lol

If you want value, the A8se is under $200 shipped lately

 

[DanyL]

Skip Reefi and get the new Gen 2 Nicrew. Better light in every way for less money.

That feels like a pretty steep overstatement.

Sure, the Nicrews are cheaper, but they also come with some trade-offs:
1. Significantly narrower spectrum
2. Lower output per watt and less power
3. Lower coverage
4. A third of the warranty period - and that’s assuming any warranty support is available at all, likely via a third party (Amazon)
5. No easy access to replacement parts down the line, if at all


I’m not saying they’re bad lights, a lot of reefers use them and are happy with it and even have great results - but they’re cheaper because they deliver less value.

By contrast, ReeFi lights are less expensive than Radions while still offering better value in terms of performance, spectrum, coverage, and warranty.

For many, the ReeFis hit the sweet spot in terms of cost-value, and that’s why they’ve become so popular.

 

[DeadEnd]

Are the Orpheks Natural good?

 

[twentyleagues]

Are the Orpheks Natural good?

Orphek have very mixed reviews. People either hate or love them. My issue is the or3 bars have abysmal blending. So if you cant mount them 18+" you can see the individual colors of the diodes on the sand and rock. From what I can see there isnt much difference in the lens/diodes from different models. The newer stuff (or4) is different then the last models but still does what I described above. They definitely grow corals though.

 

[DeadEnd]

Orphek have very mixed reviews. People either hate or love them. My issue is the or3 bars have abysmal blending. So if you cant mount them 18+" you can see the individual colors of the diodes on the sand and rock. From what I can see there isnt much difference in the lens/diodes from different models. The newer stuff (or4) is different then the last models but still does what I described above. They definitely grow corals though.

I wish I could see Orpheks and Reefi unos in person, but all the local stores use Radion

 

[bradreef]

I wish I could see Orpheks and Reefi unos in person, but all the local stores use Radion

Where are you located?

 

[twentyleagues]

I wish I could see Orpheks and Reefi unos in person, but all the local stores use Radion

I purchased the Reefi without seeing it in person. I was able to see a guys reef running the or3 bars he had to design a floating canopy to house the bars higher then his original canopy. I saw both before and after the canopy sitting at 20" off the water the bars blended pretty well. I think he had 6 bars maybe 5 over his 6' tank.
The Reefi purchase was mostly because of Daniel the owner and what I saw online. I am happy with the one over my cube so I got the 3 to go over the 180. I know they will need something to supplement them down the line if I go with a lot of sps or my euphyllia get too large.

 

[DeadEnd]

Where are you located?

Atlanta

 

[bradreef]

Atlanta

I would ask her

Atlanta Reef Club

Atlanta's Premier Reef Aquarium Club

atlantareefclub.org

 

[bradreef]

I would ask her

Atlanta Reef Club

Atlanta's Premier Reef Aquarium Club

atlantareefclub.org

Nevermind, I see you just did.

 

[vabben]

I'am in the process of setting up a standard 180. I have 2 Gen 5 XR30s and 2 Gen 3 XR30s that I'm going to test and see what kind of par and spread I get. I would assume this will be enough for SPS, but I will buy some Quanta bars to supplement if needed.

 

[DeadEnd]

Nevermind, I see you just did.

Yeah, I was able to see the old Reefbreeders Photons but I have not been able to find any of the other lights. Everyone run AI's or Radions . Thanks for looking for a place where I could ask!

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

quanta atlas supplemented by quanta helix bars. Very nicely made but stock is low right now.