Need help deciding which LED to buy

[Cassian]

Hi all,

I’m working on setting up by 8ft 200 gal aquarium. I’ve researched and exhausted myself trying to figure out what I should do lighting wise. Historically I’ve been a radion user, but the price point of the new ones are so high. I’m not opposed to spending a good chunk on lighting up front. I just want to make sure the investment is worth it.

So far I’m looking at one of these options:
Radions (probably will buy used)
Kessil a360 (these seem like they are small and don’t have much spread?)
Reefi 2.1 pro
Nicrew (these budget option)
Possibly some used giesemanns but don’t know much about the brand

I will be adding t5s to whatever I get so keep that in mind. Anyone have experience with the Reefi? Whats the better option here? I know a lot of this is opinion based, but overall what would you vote for?

It will be a mixed reef with lots of lps and sps for context

 

[painter1982]

I use kessil a360xe. About 2x2 coverage per light. They have different reflectors to change the spread. For sps you’d need to go closer. I use two on my 24x24 sps tank. Hope that helps.

 

[mfinn]

On your list I voted Radion.
But since I bought the Phillips CoralCare gen 2 fixtures I've been very happy.
The color is very similar to T5.
No fan and completely silent.
Bluetooth and Wifi controllable. I can sit at my computer on one end of my house and change programs, color, intensity, etc on the fixtures on the other end of my house. ( I'm really not a fan of using my phone).
About the only down side is the weight of them. You have to be really confident in your diy ability.

 

[BryanM]

Reefbreeders Meridian

 

[Gman83]

I voted "other". I would go rb meridians or Orphek. I use Orphek, and live the app

 

[exnisstech]

Other here. Anything but radions.

 

[skey44]

Reefbreeders Meridian

Second vote
I would also consider the new ATI Straton flex 5ft Especially with the added coverage of T5. Or just do 2 of them and ditch the t5 t save a lot of energy/maintenance.

 

[minus9]

Quanta Atlas w/Helix combo.

 

[Hooz]

There are a bunch of good options. Nicrew Gen 2 200w are basically Radions without the bells and whistles. If you like Radions, but don't mind using an external controller, not having an app, etc, you get the same power, spread and spectrum with a Nicrew Gen 2, at 1/3 the cost.

You could also do the Chinese A8 lights (so many different flavors). They are a DIRECT knock off of the Radion, have an app, etc... also for roughly half the cost of a Radion.

Quanta Helix is also a good option, especially if you're going to be running a controller with 0-10v control so you can dim/ramp them. You could do all LED bars and forgo the T5s altogether if you wanted, and you wouldn't be missing out.

 

[Uncle99]

I use CBB lights like ViparSpectra and Willis along with 2 48” Antinic and blue plus.

I’ve learned that price has nothing to do with coral growth and display.

 

[Cassian]

I use CBB lights like ViparSpectra and Willis along with 2 48” Antinic and blue plus.

I’ve learned that price has nothing to do with coral growth and display.

Wow this looks awesome. I also looked at the viparspectra. How long have you had yours? I’m curious how long they are going to last. What par levels do you get?

 

[PPBlimpy]

noopsyche k7 pros. approx $170 each

I run 5 of the older gens over a 7' 210. will be replacing with 6 v3 pros in the coming months as i am pivoting toward SPS.

i replaced g4 xr30 pros with the noops and do not regret it one bit!

great lights, crappy app, one of the big things I love is they are glass lenses, not plastic.

 

[sjfishguy]

I think it’s important to know what kind of look you like, then you pick the fixture. Do you like more blue or white look? Lots of shimmer or no shimmer? Do you like that hint of actinic of no? Important to know that before recommending

 

[ThisIsTheWay]

noopsyche k7 pros. approx $170 each

I run 5 of the older gens over a 7' 210. will be replacing with 6 v3 pros in the coming months as i am pivoting toward SPS.

i replaced g4 xr30 pros with the noops and do not regret it one bit!

great lights, crappy app, one of the big things I love is they are glass lenses, not plastic.

Came here to recommend these as well. I’ve got a k7 over my 25 gal and really like it. I’ve probably had it for at least a year and a half so far without any issues.
Bean Animal has a QR code generator for them if you would prefer to edit on your computer.

Noo-Psyche K7 Pro III QR Code Profile Generator

I built this... https://beananimal.com/tools/noo-psyche-k7-profile-generator/ Should be much easier to use (as compared to the noopsyche app) for creating schedules. It works - Needless to say - use it at your own risk. Use a desktop or tablet - too much going on for a pleasant mobile...

www.reef2reef.com

I have also heard good things about the Reefi lights but I haven’t personally used them.

 

[exnisstech]

Ok I said anything but radions but may as well share a tank under noopsyche k7 pros. Tank is no longer up but I moved the noops to the new tank.

The new tank.

 

[hardmermaid]

I think it’s important to know what kind of look you like, then you pick the fixture. Do you like more blue or white look? Lots of shimmer or no shimmer? Do you like that hint of actinic of no? Important to know that before recommending

What kind of lights would you recommend for a more day like look? More white and less blue/purple. I used to use 14k halides and loved them. Also had T5s and enjoyed them. I’m starting a new sps tank soon and I’m leaning towards the meridians. They have good reviews and it seems easy to add the led bar in the future. I wont have a canopy.

Thanks.

 

[Cassian]

I think it’s important to know what kind of look you like, then you pick the fixture. Do you like more blue or white look? Lots of shimmer or no shimmer? Do you like that hint of actinic of no? Important to know that before recommending

i like more of the blue look, some shimmer and i do like the hint of actinic

 

[sjfishguy]

I think it’s important to know what kind of look you like, then you pick the fixture. Do you like more blue or white look? Lots of shimmer or no shimmer? Do you like that hint of actinic of no? Important to know that before recommending

i like more of the blue look, some shimmer and i do like the hint of actinic

The reefi unos are perfect for you then. I

 

[sjfishguy]

I think it’s important to know what kind of look you like, then you pick the fixture. Do you like more blue or white look? Lots of shimmer or no shimmer? Do you like that hint of actinic of no? Important to know that before recommending

What kind of lights would you recommend for a more day like look? More white and less blue/purple. I used to use 14k halides and loved them. Also had T5s and enjoyed them. I’m starting a new sps tank soon and I’m leaning towards the meridians. They have good reviews and it seems easy to add the led bar in the future. I wont have a canopy.

Thanks.

This is what I like too and the 14k halide is my favorite of all time. I tried a bunch of lights trying to match that while still gettting enough PAR. I finally found the orphek naturas and they are amazing. Nicest looking, balanced LED light I have ever seen on any tank. Every coral shows those color perfectly, some shimmer but not too much. Highly recommend for those wanting a balanced 14k look. The only thing wrong with them is the app. Probably the worst app I have ever used in my life. No intuitive at all. But worth dealing with for the fixtures.

 

[Uncle99]

Wow this looks awesome. I also looked at the viparspectra. How long have you had yours? I’m curious how long they are going to last. What par levels do you get?

The Vipers have run now past 6 years and counting.
Very intense light. I’m 14 off the surface and 100% blue is 500 ish so I run at 60% blue, 5% white.

So that would be 300 surface, 150-175 mid way, 100 bottom, 75-80 corners.

Adding the T5’s really helped. I just used 48” Sunblaster (Amazon) and “tied” two together with aluminum. Those running 3 years now but those bulbs need change every 9 ish months.