Need advice on upgrade

Radon · Mar 28, 2026

I was running 2 Ai Prime HD’s that I got used for $150. My current tank is a 50g Landen (36x18x18) but I plan on upgrading in the near future. One of the Primes broke and am looking to upgrade lighting and would like some opinions. I’d like to future proof my lights a bit so when I do upgrade the tank I can add additional lighting of the same ecosystem. There are a few xr30 g6’s near me used for around $600. I’ve heard good things about Reefi Uno 2.1s. I tried out a nicrew hyper reef 150, but I realized app or mobile control is important to me. Thanks in advance!

Gman83 · Mar 28, 2026

Orphek has a great app. Easy to use. Easy to add additional light when you upgrade

Radon · Mar 28, 2026

Gman83 said:
Orphek has a great app. Easy to use. Easy to add additional light when you upgrade

I’ll look into them. I’ve heard great things about their light bars

jermzisurmom · May 16, 2026

https://loox.io/z/BVUKVn456D

RSNJReef · May 16, 2026

What do you want to keep in the tank?

I’m currently running t5, xr30/xr15, and Orphek bars on my systems. If I had the cash to switch now though I’d go with the reefi uno 2.1s and then Orphek blue plus bars.

The par of the reefi unos are significantly higher than the xr30s, and if you buy them new you get both a 90 degree and 120 degree lens kit so you can change the spread coverage. Also, of all the lights I have tried, I have never gotten as much coral fluorescence as with the Orphek bars.

In my experience:

With the ecotech, the app is one of the easiest to use. It glitches sometimes, but easiest to use next to Aqua Illumination app. Spread is also decent with the g5 and g6, but par is not as high as other lights nowadays. All around a good light with a good app.

Reefi Unos 2.1s will have the highest par hands down per light fixture, but more of a sky blue look than the deep blue look some go for.

Orphek icon panel lights are also more sky blue, but the blue plus bars are a nice deep blue look, but the spread is narrow (only “12 wide spread per bar for a typical tank, so will need one on either side running length wise on the tank).

Good luck with the upgrade, and have fun with it.