New NICREW HyperReef Gen 2 available on Amazon.

[Skep18]

After two more days, I have to increase my dosing again and alk still hasn't stopped dropping though the drop is only marginal this time. But considering the dose increase, still surprising nonetheless.

 

[Juano908]

So I just ordered 2 x 200w and also ordered this USB C hub to connect both lights to the controller without having the daisy chain cable visible on top of the tank and just run the usb c cables one on each light next to the power cords to under the stand where the controller will be.
Hopefully it’ll work.

Any suggestions?

Amazon.com

 

[Skep18]

So I just ordered 2 x 200w and also ordered this USB C hub to connect both lights to the controller without having the daisy chain cable visible on top of the tank and just run the usb c cables one on each light next to the power cords to under the stand where the controller will be.
Hopefully it’ll work.

Any suggestions?

Amazon.com

Idk if a hub will work. You will be finding out! As an alternative, you could go down the mounting arm, behind the tank and back up the other light's mounting arm to daisy chain them if it doesn't work.

 

[Juano908]

Idk if a hub will work. You will be finding out! As an alternative, you could go down the mounting arm, behind the tank and back up the other light's mounting arm to daisy chain them if it doesn't work.

Right, that will be plan B if it doesn’t work.
Thanks a lot for your suggestion.
How you liking the lights so far?
I’m setting up an IM INT-100, I think the 2 x 200W are more than enough.

 

[SomeHappyFish]

They seem a better option then the noops k7 v3 after reading this threat

 

[Skep18]

Right, that will be plan B if it doesn’t work.
Thanks a lot for your suggestion.
How you liking the lights so far?
I’m setting up an IM INT-100, I think the 2 x 200W are more than enough.

Honestly, my original plan was to get the Quantas Helix bars primarily because they come in 71in length and I have a rockscape such that the edges of my tank get shadowing pretty bad, limiting my ability to grow some corals along the sides, one of which is a big viewing angle. The rockscape was made when I first got into the saltwater portion of this hobby and I just didn't think about it, unintended consequence. Nonetheless, those sold out quickly before I was ready to pull the trigger and I learned of these in the meantime. Of course I will never know what I am missing out on the Quantas but given my experience thus far with these, I could not be happier.

I like the controller tech more than fiddling with 0-10V with my Apex. One of my Reef Breeders Photon V2+ internal timer was failing casuing my lights to be out of sync. These use an external controller that not only keeps all units in sync via wired control but can be replaced for $50.

These lights are SOOOO strong. I would have obtained the same wattage from the number of Helix units I was going to get so that may have been a similar experience with those. Not trying to knock the Quantas here. But the Nicrews are real nice.

Having more spectrum control I think favors these. I was never sure how many of each color bar I should have bought from the Helix units.

The wide lenses on these surprisingly seem to prevent any shading issues I was concerned with for these pendent-style lights. The Helix also has 120* wide angle lenses according to another post though, so that could have been similar. Though LED's from tank edge-to-edge, you might suffer more light bleed.

But the end proof is in the dosing. Looking at my Apex history, I went from dosing 30mL of All-for-Reef and 240mL of kalkwasser daily to (as of now) 50mL of All-for-Reef and 550mL of kalkwasser a day. And thats the quantity it took to stop my alk from continuing to drop.

TLDR, if the fan noise at "day" light settings used for growth doesn't bother you and you can get used to the raw heat these things put out in a canopy, these lights are honestly a dream.

They seem a better option then the noops k7 v3 after reading this threat

I had considered those some months/years back but recall some feedback about the vendor kinda shy'ed me away. But I definitely am a Nicrew fanboy after my results.

 

[Juano908]

Honestly, my original plan was to get the Quantas Helix bars primarily because they come in 71in length and I have a rockscape such that the edges of my tank get shadowing pretty bad, limiting my ability to grow some corals along the sides, one of which is a big viewing angle. The rockscape was made when I first got into the saltwater portion of this hobby and I just didn't think about it, unintended consequence. Nonetheless, those sold out quickly before I was ready to pull the trigger and I learned of these in the meantime. Of course I will never know what I am missing out on the Quantas but given my experience thus far with these, I could not be happier.

I like the controller tech more than fiddling with 0-10V with my Apex. One of my Reef Breeders Photon V2+ internal timer was failing casuing my lights to be out of sync. These use an external controller that not only keeps all units in sync via wired control but can be replaced for $50.

These lights are SOOOO strong. I would have obtained the same wattage from the number of Helix units I was going to get so that may have been a similar experience with those. Not trying to knock the Quantas here. But the Nicrews are real nice.

Having more spectrum control I think favors these. I was never sure how many of each color bar I should have bought from the Helix units.

The wide lenses on these surprisingly seem to prevent any shading issues I was concerned with for these pendent-style lights. The Helix also has 120* wide angle lenses according to another post though, so that could have been similar. Though LED's from tank edge-to-edge, you might suffer more light bleed.

But the end proof is in the dosing. Looking at my Apex history, I went from dosing 30mL of All-for-Reef and 240mL of kalkwasser daily to (as of now) 50mL of All-for-Reef and 550mL of kalkwasser a day. And thats the quantity it took to stop my alk from continuing to drop.

TLDR, if the fan noise at "day" light settings used for growth doesn't bother you and you can get used to the raw heat these things put out in a canopy, these lights are honestly a dream.



I had considered those some months/years back but recall some feedback about the vendor kinda shy'ed me away. But I definitely am a Nicrew fanboy after my results.

Wow, that’s a big jump on the dosing.
I’ve been running a 50w gen1 on my Nuvo 10 for over a year so I’m used to the fan noise and my Acros seems to love this light.

 

[SomeHappyFish]

I had considered those some months/years back but recall some feedback about the vendor kinda shy'ed me away. But I definitely am a Nicrew fanboy after my results.

I don't currently have any problems with the lights on either of my two Noopsyches, but if I do and the customer support is terrible. In my opinion, it will be an issue and not worth suggesting the light to other individuals. The market is currently fierce with multiple lights emerging for half the cost and same results, they better step up their game (fix the app interface IMO)

I might opt for these lights, but I'm still on the fence between too many lights

-Kessil a360x $449$
Nice shimmer and white look, easy to use.
-Quanta Atlas $499
Mimics a metal halide crisp white look and spectrum, U.S only :/
-Nicrew Gen 2 $189 / $240 / $300
Best results and quality for the money currently. The company looks like it's listening to it's customers feedback which is nice. They might fix the heat/fan "issues" down the line. U.S Only atm :/
-Noopsyche k7 v3 $190.90
Powerful entry lights for cheap, bad customer service.
-ReeFi Uno 2.1 $499
Powerful, nice spread, bit costly IMO, good customer service.

 

[Jonreefer]

They seem a better option then the noops k7 v3 after reading this threat

I have had the Noopsyche K7 2 and 3 on a few tanks in the past. They put out alot of par for the price of $190 and nice shimmer
I just bought the Nicrew Gen2 100w for my new IM nuvo 20 tank i have cycling now. I was messing with the controller and was setting up a light schedule for when I turn them on. With them at full 100% blue and violet and around 30% white I was only getting like 240 par like 3" under the water surface. I was pretty disappointed it didnt give out as much light as I was expecting. I returned it and decided to buy an AL blade grow and glow for the tank to try something new

 

[Miguel.PT]

Does anyone know when these will be available in europe or in aliexpress?

First half of 2025 in EU, info provided by Nicrew.

 

[jeff60gcube]

Can anyone using the controller share screenshots of their setup for the blues/whites/greens/violet/reds? I feel completely dumb not being able to figure this out lol

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

Anybody know what’s the deal with the Gen 2 controller? Amazon had them but now they’ve been out of stock for a good while.

 

[friskaburger]

Hey all, was thinking about getting one of these to replace my Prime 16HD over my 15g. The 100w is obviously fine for that tank, but I noticed in the literature that the blue/white ratios are quite different between the 100 and 150. Anyone have any thoughts/input on that? I'm trying to shoot for a more white/natural color not a huge fan of the glow in the dark tank. Curious if perhaps the 150 might have better spectrum if I just tone it way down, or is that just silly to throw over my little tank?

 

[Juano908]

Hey all, was thinking about getting one of these to replace my Prime 16HD over my 15g. The 100w is obviously fine for that tank, but I noticed in the literature that the blue/white ratios are quite different between the 100 and 150. Anyone have any thoughts/input on that? I'm trying to shoot for a more white/natural color not a huge fan of the glow in the dark tank. Curious if perhaps the 150 might have better spectrum if I just tone it way down, or is that just silly to throw over my little tank?

I’d go with the 150w in case you want to upgrade tank size later on and just run it at low intensity.

 

[Croftsy]

Anyone know where to buy these from in the Uk or Europe yet? With my tank size 1000mm width x 500mm depth x 650mm height would 2no 150 watts be most suitable? Thanks

 

[NeedAReef]

Mine been great

where did you get the mounts? do they come with them? I have a gen2 coming this week want to be prepared. also is the controller necessary?

 

[oreo54]

where did you get the mounts? do they come with them? I have a gen2 coming this week want to be prepared. also is the controller necessary?

Most would def. consider the controller necessary.

Is the nicrew HyperReef controller needed?

Just as the title says, is the controller actually useful? Just wanted to know before I spent $50 on it

www.reef2reef.com

Technically it is not required. You would use the buttons on the light to program. The controller expands what programming you can do, allows for daisy chaining multiple lights, and makes the programming experience easier and precise.

 

[Tangy Reefer]

They come with the mounts

 

[~MD~Reefs~]

It tilts unfortunately. Still very solid and it may be because I have it mounted to the euro bracing. That is a benefit in itself though.

How bad is the tilt? Can you post a picture from the side if possible? Debating if I should just skip the mounts and order an Ecotech rail to hang them onto because I also have a eurobrace. I would hang them from the ceiling but unfortunately I suck at making sure to drill the holes spaced perfectly and then my OCD kicks in and I end up with a bunch of holes in my ceiling lol

 

[Tangy Reefer]

How bad is the tilt? Can you post a picture from the side if possible? Debating if I should just skip the mounts and order an Ecotech rail to hang them onto because I also have a eurobrace. I would hang them from the ceiling but unfortunately I suck at making sure to drill the holes spaced perfectly and then my OCD kicks in and I end up with a bunch of holes in my ceiling lol

I ended up building a canopy and mounted them underneath. Otherwise, I'd post a pic. It wasn't terrible, but noticeable from the side . . .