Lights: premium versus good budget brands

[mp2022]

Hi all - I am running a Nicrew Hypereef 150 gen 2 on my 3 foot 40ish gallon mixed reef tank. It seems to be working well enough, got the controller, and all the sps seem like they are doing well (good color and polyp extension, slow but noticeable growth) apart from maybe some newly added acros. I have it over the center of the tank and there its some shading, so I am thinking of adding another 150 to the tank to increase coverage.

At the same time I have been thinking of upgrading my lights to one of the premiums (AI, ecotech, etc..). But despite my research, I have had a hard time understanding what distinguishes good budget brands (i.e. Nicrew) from their more premium counterparts. Will they actually grow coral better? More reliable and longer lasting? More convenient? I will spend the money if it results in a better outcome for my tank but I just want to understand better before dropping 2-3x the cash...

Thanks!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Its the same difference as a basic vehicle compared to a premium car..... they will both get you to where you need to go, they will both last decades if you take care of them. But the premium car has the wifi and bluetooth and leather seats and lots of fancy gadgets inside and in the end will have a higher re-sale value. Exactly the same as a nicrew compared to an AI.

 

[VintageReefer]

https://reefbreeders.com/products/meridian-24
This uniy will fully light, and grow sps anywhere in a tank up to 36x24x31

The app is great, the spectrum is great. It’s silent and water resistant. Sleek looking. And has built in t track rails on 3 sides, which also accept the matching led bars, if you ever want to add them down the line. Can also daisy chain power between main light and led bars allowing everything to run from a single power cord

 

[exnisstech]

Ecotech would be more expensive but I'm not sure I would consider it an premium upgrade. I have issues with mobius so I no longer run radions. TBH unless you just want to try something new or have money to burn I would probably just add a second Nicrew.
That said I've been very happy with my reefbreeders photons over two tanks. One is an acro tank and doing well. I also have a meridian 11 and am happy with it but I haven't had it running very long.
I think @Mr. Mojo Rising post above sums it up nicely.

 

[mp2022]

https://reefbreeders.com/products/meridian-24
This uniy will fully light, and grow sps anywhere in a tank up to 36x24x31

The app is great, the spectrum is great. It’s silent and water resistant. Sleek looking. And has built in t track rails on 3 sides, which also accept the matching led bars, if you ever want to add them down the line. Can also daisy chain power between main light and led bars allowing everything to run from a single power cord

Thanks all - ended up caving and ordering the Meridian 24. I like how you can easily upgrade with LED side bars. Will see how it goes…

 

[Shnetts]

I also use nicrew gen 2's on all 4 of my tanks, I absolutely love them. The programing is a bit clunky and takes a min to get used to. But once its set up and going you never have to mess with them, dont have to worry about connection issues. Just set it and forget it. I came from all ai primes, the extra features are not worth all the extra money in my mind. Would much rather have 2 nicrews giving me extra coverage on my tank then 1 pricey light.

 

[VintageReefer]

Thanks all - ended up caving and ordering the Meridian 24. I like how you can easily upgrade with LED side bars. Will see how it goes…

The 14k edge bars are crisp and powerful. By default it’s a whitish spectrum with a hint of blue, really nice in person and compliments the meridians nicely. You have complete control in the app and can customize the edge bars by changing the two channels levels. Full blue, full white, or anywhere in between

I’m using 2x Meridian 11’s and 2x edge 45 bars in 14k