Mitras LX or Reefi uno 2.1 pro

[rishma]

I’ve been hunting a new light for some time and I’ve narrowed it down to the GHL Mitras or the Reefi. I cannot make up my mind. If you have opinions on either or both of these lights, let me know what you think. Thanks.

The tank is only 100L! The area to light is about 500mm by 400mm. It’s a small tank, I know both are plenty powerful, especially for my LPS.

I am confident both are great lights. Since I’ll probably keep the light for way longer than most people are in the hobby, I’m trying to ignore price for the purpose of this decision. I think the Reefi is probably a better value.

Benefits of both
Both have a broad spectrum, particularly wide in the blue. I think the spectrum of these lights sets them apart from many of the popular brands.

Both use reflectors and color blending is good.

Both are quiet.

Both have good spectrum control, decent programming options, moon, etc.

Both have more power than I need for the current tank.

Both have good mounting options.

Benefits of Mitras
Mitras has true UV. I think this is important for SPS, less so for LPS. While I currently keep LPS but I have been doing this for a long time and have had several SPS dominant tanks. Not sure what I’ll do in the future.

Mitras, particularly the 7x06, has less potential for shadowing due to its larger form factor. Shadowing is only a minor issue with my current tank because it’s mostly LPS. This seems to be a primary advantage of the Mitras, which has me thinking twice about the Unos.

Mitras have been around a long time, well supported with replaceable pucks and other parts. They seem to last a long time from what I’ve seen.

Benefits of Reefi
Build quality seems outstanding. The owner is directly involved, personally providing support.

They are more powerful than Mitras, but I am unlikely to use them anywhere near full power on the current tank.

They come with multiple reflector options (requiring some decisions on mounting height).

 

[Miami Reef]

Mitras, particularly the 7x06

Is it the marine or coral pop version you’re considering? Just curious.

 

[rishma]

Is it the marine or coral pop version you’re considering? Just curious.

Yes, I’d lean toward coral pop due to very wide blue spectrum though a little concerned it’s too blue. Not a lot of feedback on it that I can find and I don’t know anyone who has them. I think @BeanAnimal recently changed his pucks to the coral pop.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I have the coral pop. They are blue, but not windex blue. I am happy with them. I couldn't tell you if they are better than the pucks that they replaced as far as coral growth. I didn't really pay attention. Color is nice, and they appear to have a bit more ooomph in the low end than the older pucks.

I think the UNO may put a bit more power, but that is a guess based on the emitters and I may be wrong, in that I have not compared the two fixtures since I purchased. I was on the fence with adding an UNO before I added the 3rd Mitra. The only reason that I didn't is because it was one more app and/or thing to manage and integrate.

Sorry if that is no help!

 

[rishma]

I have the coral pop. They are blue, but not windex blue. I am happy with them. I couldn't tell you if they are better than the pucks that they replaced as far as coral growth. I didn't really pay attention. Color is nice, and they appear to have a bit more ooomph than the older pucks.

I think the UNO may put a bit more power, but that is a guess based on the emitters and I may be wrong, in that I have not compared the two fixtures since I purchased. I was on the fence with adding an UNO before I added the 3rd Mitra. The only reason that I didn't is because it was one more app and/or thing to manage and integrate.

Sorry if that is no help!

it would have been more helpful if you had bought the Reefi :)

 

[rishma]

I don’t really know how to compare the spectrums. Seem pretty similar.

Mitras Coral pop goes deeper into the UV. Reefi has a higher peak around 400?

Both seem similar and a little anemic in the warm end of the spectrum.

Not sure I know what it will look like to my eyeball

 

[Miami Reef]

I don’t really know how to compare the spectrums. Seem pretty similar.

Mitras Coral pop goes deeper into the UV. Reefi has a higher peak around 400?

Both seem similar and a little anemic in the warm end of the spectrum.

Does one light have better spectrum blending, color rendition, or spread?

Maybe that can help narrow down the options?

DanyL gave me his opinion of lighting when I was deciding:

There are 3 lights I personally recommend to others:
1. ReeFi Uno 2.x Pro
2. GHL Mitras
3. ATI Straton (original/Pro)

The Straton is in my opinion the best looking and has the best spread of them all (it’s a panel), spectrum is wide - but somewhat limited (mostly leaning towards 10-14k).

The Motras advantage is in build quality and modularity - the LED packs can be replaced quite easily.

The ReeFi Uno 2.X Pro - completely overpowered, wide spectrum, exchangeable reflectors, great price and 3 times the warranty.

All 3 options produce real and abundant UVA, which can reproduce some of the colors you’d usually see only under MH (I even had some frags develop GFP after being exposed to UVA).

 

[rishma]

Does one light have better spectrum blending, color rendition, or spread?

Maybe that can help narrow down the options?

DanyL gave me his opinion of lighting when I was deciding:

Thanks for this. I agree with @DanyL advice. The Straton is really nice but a bit over the top for my little nano :)

Good questions. Here is what I think based on my reading:

Blending - a tie. Both use multi led chips inside a reflector and seems to blend very well.

Color rendition - I don’t know. Mitras specs indicate CRI>95. I cannot find data for Reefi.

Spread - a tie (for similar sized fixtures)..same spread for Reefi and similarly sized Mitras 7x04 (both plenty for my little tank), with Reefi capable of multiple heights/lenses.

The main advantage I see for Mitras is the 6 puck version is physically 2x the footprint of the Reefi so shadowing is less of an issue for a given footprint if using a single fixture. It’s closer to a panel style without the color blending challenges some panel styles have.

Tanks using multiple fixtures don’t need to worry too much about it, but I do.

 

[DanyL]

Tanks using multiple fixtures don’t need to worry too much about it, but I do.

You are correct - for your particular setup (single fixture) I’d recommend going with a physically bigger fixture such as the Mitras. You won’t be disappointed.

 

[rishma]

You are correct - for your particular setup (single fixture) I’d recommend going with a physically bigger fixture such as the Mitras. You won’t be disappointed.

Thanks!

@BeanAnimal I think you previously ran an approximation of AB+ with the 7206. You mention the 7506 are pretty blue. I find AB+ on the blue side. Can you describe how they compare visually? Do you miss the warmer end of the spectrum?

 

[BeanAnimal]

I did run AB+ approximation for a while. I think these (the coral pops) are kind of similar to AB+ without having to tune to AB+ if that makes sense.

With the coral pops - I ramp up kind of on the warm side (if there is one) and then run pretty much all channels at 100% for the noon sun for a few hours... then start ramping the whites back down toward blue for "windexing hour" viewing...

current view from my telemetry...

I suppose they are bluer than you may like? I don't really have photos other than iphone with filters and that is kind of pointless I think. I can drag out the DSLR tomorrow and do a white balanced photo if I have time.

 

[Steven Garland]

I have never used the Mitras,but I have a v1 Uno and I love it. The lime and amber are so nice for running all blues and adding depth and rich color.

I'm only pushing mine to 50w at peak schedule of all colors for 10hrs with an additiinal 2x Orphek OR4 30 bars at 100% for 12hrs.

 

[Miami Reef]

The lime and amber are so nice for running all blues and adding depth and rich color.

I actually have my Uno 2.1 Amber and lime at 0.

I prefer to get my whites from the cool and warm channels.

 

[johnwwalkeriii]

I can’t speak on the Mitras(which is what I originally wanted), I have 2 reefi unos and a couple quanta helix bars on my tank. I love this setup. I honestly couldn’t be happier, I know it’s pretty subjective on light brands, but I can’t say enough good things.

 

[rishma]

I did run AB+ approximation for a while. I think these (the coral pops) are kind of similar to AB+ without having to tune to AB+ if that makes sense.

With the coral pops - I ramp up kind of on the warm side (if there is one) and then run pretty much all channels at 100% for the noon sun for a few hours... then start ramping the whites back down toward blue for "windexing hour" viewing...

current view from my telemetry...

I suppose they are bluer than you may like? I don't really have photos other than iphone with filters and that is kind of pointless I think. I can drag out the DSLR tomorrow and do a white balanced photo if I have time.

Thanks for the additional detail. The whole visual amount of blue is impossible to describe and nearly impossible to share over the internet because pictures are rarely close to real life. What is too blue to my eye is too daylight to some or too blue to others.

In the early days I had 6500k halides, so my current tank much much bluer than I ever imagined I’d run. Still, when I see other reefers tanks in person I realize I’m still not completely on the whole blue bandwagon.

 

[rishma]

I actually have my Uno 2.1 Amber and lime at 0.

I prefer to get my whites from the cool and warm channels.

Same, though I’ve never had a lime channel. My biggest disappointment from day one of my current lights was the lack of a warm white channel.

 

[CNDReef]

I have mitras over my 40B and also like white light. I have mine set to mimic about 10k for 5 hours then to blue.

 

[rishma]

I have mitras over my 40B and also like white light. I have mine set to mimic about 10k for 5 hours then to blue.

Thanks. Assume you have the older 720X not the newer coral pop pucks?

 

[CNDReef]

Thanks. Assume you have the older 720X not the newer coral pop pucks?

Yes it’s the regular ones and they make the tank windex as is lol

 

[CNDReef]

Just took this about 20 feet away, ps5 on the right for comparison.