NICREW HyperReef Lights what option should I do.

[Gordon15]

Good afternoon, I am looking to upgrade from black boxes when I upgrade my aquarium from a 75 to 125 gallon. I’m looking at these lights and planning on putting three of these up. Looking at the generation two just because the updates. Was thinking three 100s of this brand due to the width of the aquarium it doesn’t make sense to go 150 for the wider coverage. I figure 24 inches on each slot. Not crazy with SPS corals but would like to try a few in the future. Either these lights or I’m going back to the black box. Never had an issue with the other but would like something more controlled

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

Good afternoon, I am looking to upgrade from black boxes when I upgrade my aquarium from a 75 to 125 gallon. I’m looking at these lights and planning on putting three of these up. Looking at the generation two just because the updates. Was thinking three 100s of this brand due to the width of the aquarium it doesn’t make sense to go 150 for the wider coverage. I figure 24 inches on each slot. Not crazy with SPS corals but would like to try a few in the future. Either these lights or I’m going back to the black box. Never had an issue with the other but would like something more controlled

I have 2 of the 200s on my 120 tank thats predominantly acros. I dont have a par meter but at 50% my alk consumption started rising. At 55% I had very slight bleaching on one acro thats slowly recovering so i'll settle here for a bit. They sell 90° lenses if you want more focused light on a larger light. I like these lights overall though. I had 2 viparspectra and these looks wayyyyy better. Are much more quiet, and much more versatile. I fell in love with sticks so its hard for me to be objective but if the price range isnt a huge jump, i'd go for 150's and turn them down. Then if you decide to go for sps you have the power, and leds last long when run lower wattage as well.

 

[Gordon15]

I have 2 of the 200s on my 120 tank thats predominantly acros. I dont have a par meter but at 50% my alk consumption started rising. At 55% I had very slight bleaching on one acro thats slowly recovering so i'll settle here for a bit. They sell 90° lenses if you want more focused light on a larger light. I like these lights overall though. I had 2 viparspectra and these looks wayyyyy better. Are much more quiet, and much more versatile. I fell in love with sticks so it’s hard for me to be objective but if the price range isnt a huge jump, i'd go for 150's and turn them down. Then if you decide to go for sps you have the power, and leds last long when run lower wattage as well.

I currently have these lights. So I’m glad hearing somebody else going from those black box lights to these. I think I’m gonna do one of the 150s in the middle and use my existing lights until I purchased the other two. Bank account will like that more and I can adjust.

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

I currently have these lights. So I’m glad hearing somebody else going from those black box lights to these. I think I’m gonna do one of the 150s in the middle and use my existing lights until I purchased the other two. Bank account will like that more and I can adjust.

You'll definitely notice they are kuch quieter and the colors nicer. If you can afford the controller, its worth the $50 for sure!

 

[me & my baby]

There is also the Nicrew navareef version . I currently have 4 of the 135 over my 150 5x2x2 . I am getting 205par at the sand bed . They are nice lights and I would recommend them . I will say get the controller it makes it much easier to set up .

 

[Grog]

There is also the Nicrew navareef version . I currently have 4 of the 135 over my 150 5x2x2 . I am getting 205par at the sand bed . They are nice lights and I would recommend them . I will say get the controller it makes it much easier to set up .

The controller makes the Nicrew package IMO. The nice thing with these, is if you get 1 or 2 lights and a controller, you can add another module or two at a later date, just by plugging in a UBS C cable and it simply works. I recently went from 3 to 4 of the 200W modules over my 180-gallon tank to help with shaded areas. It was literally a plug-and-play operation.

FWIW I'm running 4 of the Gen2 200s over my 180 (6x2x2) but I don't like to overdrive electronics and run them at 70% of maximum output at peak output. 3 modules were fine, but 4 at a lower output is better for my aquascape. Also, I run a single one of the 200W units over a 40 breeder. Just for a comparison.

 

[NanoSteam]

Even if you go with the 100's I think you'll be fine but may end up running blues and UV at 100% and whites at 25%

I currently have two 100's over my 48" tank and run blues and UV at 80% and whites at 18%. That gets me roughly 100 to 120 par across the sand bed and 180 to 200 at top of rockwork but I'm running an LPS/softie tank. I may try some easy SPS in the future.

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

Even if you go with the 100's I think you'll be fine but may end up running blues and UV at 100% and whites at 25%

I currently have two 100's over my 48" tank and run blues and UV at 80% and whites at 18%. That gets me roughly 100 to 120 par across the sand bed and 180 to 200 at top of rockwork but I'm running an LPS/softie tank. I may try some easy SPS in the future.

How do you like the shades? Worth the money?

 

[NanoSteam]

Even if you go with the 100's I think you'll be fine but may end up running blues and UV at 100% and whites at 25%

I currently have two 100's over my 48" tank and run blues and UV at 80% and whites at 18%. That gets me roughly 100 to 120 par across the sand bed and 180 to 200 at top of rockwork but I'm running an LPS/softie tank. I may try some easy SPS in the future.

How do you like the shades? Worth the money?

They definitely help when standing and viewing but still not helpful when sitting. I recommend going with the non flaired version, would work way better.

 

[Johnd651]

I have par measurements on here... let me find them

 

[Johnd651]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/nicrew-hyperreef-200-gen-2-par-readings.1136444/

 

[Moe K]

It depends on what spectrum you like more. If you like whiter spectrum then less lights will be fine. If you like blue spectrum then you will probably want to go with the 200's so you can get the ultra pop while maintaining decent par. Also on the blue side is the Nava 135 which has minimal white led's so with everything at equal settings will be more blue. The Nava reef is more on the violet side though where the HyperReef is more on the windex blue side with much stronger cool whites.

 

[Grog]

If you like blue spectrum then you will probably want to go with the 200's so you can get the ultra pop while maintaining decent par.

Agree. I run mine very blue and violet, and white down low. You can really get that pop with the 200s, but I know that is not everyone's cup of tea.

 

[TheNative192]

On a 47 inch tank 16 inches deep do you think I could get away with two 150s. Considering just getting the 200s to be safe but the extra $130 could be a skimmer or another piece I get earlier etc. Don’t want to run them on 100% for lens melting concerns but may like to do more SPS dominant tank in the future.

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

On a 47 inch tank 16 inches deep do you think I could get away with two 150s. Considering just getting the 200s to be safe but the extra $130 could be a skimmer or another piece I get earlier etc. Don’t want to run them on 100% for lens melting concerns but may like to do more SPS dominant tank in the future.

I'm a buy once cry once, over purchase individual haha. You could probably get away with 150's and worse case scenario buy a couple quanta or orphek bars later if you so desire

 

[Moe K]

You can do the 2 150's and add a 3rd one later on if you feel like its not enough. That way you would get more coverage later for acros if you wanted. Or supplemental bars like like @Nor'easter Reefer said. That sounds like a good plan.