Low Cost LED vs High Dollar Comparison

[427HISS]

Yes full spectrum, you get UV, blues (RB and Blue are combined), whites, reds, and greens on different channels.... I went with the 100watt lights, I haven't tested the PAR yet but from what I've read if you run heavy blues you'll want to opt for the higher wattage lights because with 100% blues and 100% violets on the 100 watt model you likely won't get enough PAR for more demanding coral without bumping up the whites. This is fine for me as I prefer a "whiter" spectrum.

Great !

 

[serval]

I have Noo-psyche and I like them. Benn running over a year

Who ?

I have this light too.

https://noopsychereeflight.com/prod...RpZoBSIRtVQEF22QKTgSFTxk41A_4MCWtSLya0LVzzdpA

 

[chapter7]

So I’d also normally suggest 3 Nicrew HyperReef 200’s for less than the price of one Radion once you factor in the additional cost for the mounts, especially now at Amazon’s Black Friday price …..

See next post ….

 

[chapter7]

But then this caught my eye, another option to consider …..

Ryan from Serious Reefs mentioned these in one of his recent videos. Spread is not great according to him, but price per watts plus all the other features beats Radion hands down, and this was his feeling at the regular $600 price point! Not sure why they’re half off, maybe not selling, but kinda hard not to consider at this price!

Three of these on your system for $1k sure beats $3-4k! They’re even throwing in their new magnetic phone lens for free!

 

[Tinklez]

Following

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

I use 21LEDUSA ReefBar Pros, with the SunSetter Control. I’m extremely pleased with them, they are close to being waterproof, with a very high IP rating. They grow Corals which is a plus. Also I built my own hi-intensity LED Lights to drive the light to the bottom of the tank, they come on and off through the day, via a simple timer. I posted the Materials list and construction directions for them on this site.

 

[atoll]

In this hobby like many other hobbies, there is needs and there are wants. There is also one upmanship and bragging rights.
I want quality with performance along with VFM. That rules out Radions and Stratons. My lights cost £1000 UK pounds less than 2 stratons to well light my tank. I bought 3 Orphek Naturas which are over my 5x2x2 for less than £1500 UK pounds. I could have bought the stratons but to me they don't tick the VFM box. I have had Radions in the past bought secondhand but new ones don't represent VFM either and I wanted new lights this time. The Orphek Naturas ticked all the boxes.

 

[Bruttall]

I use Reefi Lab uno 2.x lights on my 8ft long 300g. I have 4 of them with the 90degree reeflectors. This chart is from a year or so ago, so prices are slightly dated, but it gives ya an idea of what your paying for with all those HIGH END LIGHTS!

The Reefi are half the cost of Radions, with way more wattage output. 270watts vs 215watts.

Here is my stylo 2 1/2 yrs under these lights, 4 tanks crashes, 3 due to desalination and one temp and this thing survived.


You spend your money however you want to, but if it was me, I'd buy more Reefi Lab Uno's.

Here is my light profile. Really easy to set up and modify. 9 channels including 395nm and 420nm UV.



Pic from a few months ago. 50 to 80 par on sandbed, 150par on shelfs 1/3rd way up the tank, 250par on the highest shelf. water is 27 inches deep, lights 12 inches above water.

 

[Srfnhooker]

So these here below. How is the sped over your 75g ?
Would I need 5 over my 125g (6') ?
How do you like the spectrum of each color of whites, blues, reds, UV etc ?

The spread is good. Not any parts of sand bed below 200 par. Blues and UV at 95 with whites at 10, G and R at 5. Lights about 12" from surface. My tank is 36"L x 24"D x 30"H.
Depending on what you put in the the tank, Acro dominate I would go with 5.
You can also get a lens replacement kit to change from the standard spread to a 90D spread but it requires disassembling the fixtures. I have them but haven't changed em yet. I just started adding acros about 6 months ago and want to focus more light to the rock to give some relief to my LPS on the sandbed. They're looking a bit washed out.

 

[motoking_1990]

Very impressed by Nicrew. Only issue is you need a separate controller like $50. Noopsyche not so much. App sucks. I dont care for the color spectrum and I have replace power supply twice in 3 years.

Are the noopsyche you have the K7s? I was almost going to pull the trigger on these this week. I have seen a lot of people have really good success with them. I also have heard the app is terrible. I will dig more into the Nicrew brand.

 

[jmcdona6]

Very impressed by Nicrew. Only issue is you need a separate controller like $50. Noopsyche not so much. App sucks. I dont care for the color spectrum and I have replace power supply twice in 3 years.

I agree...the app for Nicrew and most of the budget options sucks. One of the things you are paying for when you go Radion, AI, etc.

Now...id argue $50 for the controller isnt a deal breaker at the price points of the light. And it allows you to circumvent the poor app.

Either way, I wouldn't pay more for a light just to have a great app experience. You set them up once and for the most part never touch it again. I know that statement doesn't apply to everyone. Some people love to tinker...but its probably a bad habit anyway!

 

[areefer01]

In this hobby like many other hobbies, there is needs and there are wants. There is also one upmanship and bragging rights.

It is very market driven for sure. Social media/influenced.

 

[NanoSteam]

After battling the app for AI lights for years I for one am glad I don't have to deal with it with the Nicrew. The controller is simple and smooth to use. One less darn app to install since everything in our homes now wants an app.

 

[gmavrom]

I use two 90 watt full spectrum Poop Blooms for my WB 110. Great lights the app is okay. For around $140 each you can't beat the price. I believe they are red sea knock offs.

 

[Jasonak]

I used to run Viparspectars I think 265 watts. I used them for roughly 8 year no issues, ran them along side my high end lights. I think there about 150.00 on amazon.

Edit: other lights ive used

Reefi Uno pro - very powerful, not as cheap as they used to be.
Radions- the benchmark for years quality light not that strong holds its value.
Reefbreeder- Photons, the inside looked like my Viparspectars maybe better spectrum ?
Reefbreeder- Merdians, these are powerful lights with amazing spectrum.
Halides- strong, bullet proof, grow anything not the nicest spectrum for the eye

 

[JTP424]

I don't know if anyone has asked this but... what are your goals for the tank? SPS heavy? Or more softy etc.
I think that will have an impact on what type of lights would suit your budget and needs.

 

[Jasonak]

I don't know if anyone has asked this but... what are your goals for the tank? SPS heavy? Or more softy etc.
I think that will have an impact on what type of lights would suit your budget and needs.

Agreed forgot to ask.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I had g4 xr30 pros and they were cool, I don’t use the bells and whistles- habit from my halide days.

One died and I replaced them with noopsyche k7 v3s and 1000% happy. Sold 2 working g4 and the dead one and replaced with 3 noops and had cash left over.

Noops are nice, glass lenses not plastic. App sucks but once set they are good. @170 each currently you can’t beat them. Out performed my g4s they replaced.

My tank is a 7’ 210 has 3 v2 k7s @90w and 2 v3 @140w. I have not tested par and only running at 80%

Ran my mixed reef with no problems. Unfortunately the tank crashed and I am starting over and pivoting to SPS. Replacing my old noops with 5 new k7 v3 pros shortly.
Old lights will go on my frag tank and on the shelf.

 

[mook1178]

"But I'm also the guy who buys Jeeps instead of Land Rovers and VWs instead of Audis even though I could more than afford to do so" lol...

I'll have to look that company up as $250 sounds better. I just don't think $1,000 is needed, but why not if people are buying them. $5,000 for just my lighting, ain't gonna happen, unless I win the lottery.

What about this light ?

Amazon product ASIN B07SHR6HW1

I use those lights and have no complaints. Been using for just under a year

 

[PPBlimpy]

So these here below. How is the sped over your 75g ?
Would I need 5 over my 125g (6') ?
How do you like the spectrum of each color of whites, blues, reds, UV etc ?

my opinion - 150W nicrew or 140W noops
3 over a 6' tank is fine for lps
4 for sps / clams

I have nicrew 100W turned way down over a 13G (it was on the shelf) and like the light, had it over my frag tank prior.

noops on my main DT

have a buddy running 4 200w nicrews over a 4' 120 gallon and at 75% sees over 350 par on the sand bed. little overkill in my opinion but he can grow whatever he wants