Orphek Natura Impressions

[tjiddy]

I'm setting up a 8' long, 30" wide, 24" deep SPS dominant mixed reef. I do like the bluer spectrum and was happy with the look of the XR15s I had over my 210 (even though I wasn't a fan of mobius). My problem is upgrading to 30" wide, the XR15 spread isn't going cut it so I think my options are, add on a supliment LED bar to increase width, or switch to something with wider spread. Replacing the XR15s with XR30s is out of my budget, so I'm considering the Orphek Naturas. I emailed Tom @ Orphek and he quickly responded that 4 or 5 Naturas mounted perpendicular would be a great fit. I've always used Kessils or Radeons and am a little leery switching to a more "cost effective" brand. I've been scouring the forums here and the only real complaint I see is that the app is a little confusing.

Anyone want to chime in with things they like/don't like about the Natura?

I do enjoy a Kessil shimmer, but detest the disco ball effect. (I know thats a fine line). How does the Natura perform there?

Any ideas about what par I'd be looking at with 5 Naturas mounted perpendicular to the tank, 9" apart at 12" under the water? They will be in a canopy, so I can mount at any height.

 

[oreo54]

$760 x 5 = $3800
150w x5 = 750w Wattage based on power supply. Could be lower.
300gal aquarium

Similar cost/wattage lights:
GHL Mitras 7206
130-195w /unit
975 max watts for 5
$899.90
5 = $4499.50
with 4 7206's vs 5 Orpheks your total available wattage is equal as is cost (ignoring incidentals for the moment like mounting arms.

Mitras LX 7206 Marine Water - GHL USA

Saltwater model, 6 cluster.

www.aquariumcomputer.com

Point is it's not exactly a "cost effective" brand.
Actually there is little "cost effectiveness" in large tanks. ;)

Bunch of Nicrews would be the cost effective lights.
$400 (200w) x 5 = $2000

Or Quanta lights Atlas's and a bunch of actinic Helixes..
4 Atlas's at 240 watts each and $500 x 4 = $2000.. if you like 14000k
Plus 4 47" bars.. add $200 and add 240 more watts.
$2200 for 1200watts.. guess that is cost effective.

Not too many people can tell you about par levels in a 750w 300gal led lit aquarium.
Certainly not me.. but the above seems to fit the current "logic" as being "adequate"

One philosophy on height is to raise/lower until your short dimension (front back) has little light spill. Left/right is via units and spacing.
Sure if you are short par at depth one can lower but you sacrifice "full" lighting from surface to substrate.
Raising is a non factor since you can just dim them.

 

[Arkayology]

I've had Natura for about 7 months. It has been a great light so far hardware-wise. No failed LEDs or anything. My biggest gripe is the app. It is really hard to create a schedule with the app. You have to click on a little doton the bottom of the graph, which is hard to do, and slide it to a particular time, which you can never get to a specific time very easily. I just wish Orphek would give a 2 or 3 year warranty instead of the 1 year. Stand behind your product!

There is a little bit of shimmer with the Natura, but I wouldn't say a ton. For me it is the right amount. The colors blend very well so there isn't really a "disco ball effect" or anything IMO.

 

[tjiddy]

...

Point is it's not exactly a "cost effective" brand.
Actually there is little "cost effectiveness" in large tanks. ;)

Apologies. I wasn't insinuating that the orpheks are "cheap", just that I don't think they'd be considered High End™. I was comparing them to XR30s at $1k each. While I know you can find cheaper, Orpheks seem like a great middle of the road option.

 

[areefer01]

I do enjoy a Kessil shimmer, but detest the disco ball effect. (I know thats a fine line). How does the Natura perform there?

Have you seen the Kessil's in person? If so, which model? I have not seen any disco ball effect from the a360x (owned and used) or the a500x (seen in person but did not purchase). Their array packaging is designed specifically to prevent this.

 

[billyocean]

Xr30s at a grand are quite overpriced for the value you receive IMO. So "high end" is quite subjective. The reefi 2.0 is more power at half the cost with a 3 year warranty. The new reefbreeder meridians are supposed to be nice also. Orphek being a panel style light makes it better for me any day than a radion. Not hating on radion..just not the best option anymore for power and coverage. Have you considered the full size icons over the naturas? The quanta atlas with some led bars for a bluer spectrum may be an option as well. Most any reef light will satisfy a reefers needs these days. Anyhoo...hope it helps somewhat

 

[tjiddy]

Have you seen the Kessil's in person? If so, which model? I have not seen any disco ball effect from the a360x (owned and used) or the a500x (seen in person but did not purchase). Their array packaging is designed specifically to prevent this.

I worded my original statement poorly. I have owned Kessils and really enjoyed them. On other lights I have see, I really dislike the disco ball effect.

 

[Yooper Reef]

I would go with the atlantik with the much wider footprint to help reduce shadowing. I’m not a fan of all the lights with the LEDs so bunched together

 

[James Emory]

I'm setting up a 8' long, 30" wide, 24" deep SPS dominant mixed reef. I do like the bluer spectrum and was happy with the look of the XR15s I had over my 210 (even though I wasn't a fan of mobius). My problem is upgrading to 30" wide, the XR15 spread isn't going cut it so I think my options are, add on a supliment LED bar to increase width, or switch to something with wider spread. Replacing the XR15s with XR30s is out of my budget, so I'm considering the Orphek Naturas. I emailed Tom @ Orphek and he quickly responded that 4 or 5 Naturas mounted perpendicular would be a great fit. I've always used Kessils or Radeons and am a little leery switching to a more "cost effective" brand. I've been scouring the forums here and the only real complaint I see is that the app is a little confusing.

Anyone want to chime in with things they like/don't like about the Natura?

I do enjoy a Kessil shimmer, but detest the disco ball effect. (I know thats a fine line). How does the Natura perform there?

Any ideas about what par I'd be looking at with 5 Naturas mounted perpendicular to the tank, 9" apart at 12" under the water? They will be in a canopy, so I can mount at any height.

I believe you would be better using our Amazonas 960's on your tank. They use no fans as it is passive cooling and will give you the spread you need for your 30" wide tank. Public aquariums use this model over there coral reef displays. If you have more questions, contact me at [email protected]. Thank you.

 

[underwood]

I've had Natura for about 7 months. It has been a great light so far hardware-wise. No failed LEDs or anything. My biggest gripe is the app. It is really hard to create a schedule with the app. You have to click on a little doton the bottom of the graph, which is hard to do, and slide it to a particular time, which you can never get to a specific time very easily. I just wish Orphek would give a 2 or 3 year warranty instead of the 1 year. Stand behind your product!

There is a little bit of shimmer with the Natura, but I wouldn't say a ton. For me it is the right amount. The colors blend very well so there isn't really a "disco ball effect" or anything IMO.

I'm 4 months in but otherwise second everything here.

 

[johnwwalkeriii]

$760 x 5 = $3800
150w x5 = 750w Wattage based on power supply. Could be lower.
300gal aquarium

Similar cost/wattage lights:
GHL Mitras 7206
130-195w /unit
975 max watts for 5
$899.90
5 = $4499.50
with 4 7206's vs 5 Orpheks your total available wattage is equal as is cost (ignoring incidentals for the moment like mounting arms.

Mitras LX 7206 Marine Water - GHL USA

Saltwater model, 6 cluster.

www.aquariumcomputer.com

Point is it's not exactly a "cost effective" brand.
Actually there is little "cost effectiveness" in large tanks. ;)

Bunch of Nicrews would be the cost effective lights.
$400 (200w) x 5 = $2000

Or Quanta lights Atlas's and a bunch of actinic Helixes..
4 Atlas's at 240 watts each and $500 x 4 = $2000.. if you like 14000k
Plus 4 47" bars.. add $200 and add 240 more watts.
$2200 for 1200watts.. guess that is cost effective.

Not too many people can tell you about par levels in a 750w 300gal led lit aquarium.
Certainly not me.. but the above seems to fit the current "logic" as being "adequate"

One philosophy on height is to raise/lower until your short dimension (front back) has little light spill. Left/right is via units and spacing.
Sure if you are short par at depth one can lower but you sacrifice "full" lighting from surface to substrate.
Raising is a non factor since you can just dim them.

What sucks about the orpheks, is the dealer cost is around 4-500 if I remember correctly. So why mark them up that much? I’d go with reefi, quanta, or like you said, other black boxes.

 

[Sdbuehler1]

I've had Natura for about 7 months. It has been a great light so far hardware-wise. No failed LEDs or anything. My biggest gripe is the app. It is really hard to create a schedule with the app. You have to click on a little doton the bottom of the graph, which is hard to do, and slide it to a particular time, which you can never get to a specific time very easily. I just wish Orphek would give a 2 or 3 year warranty instead of the 1 year. Stand behind your product!

There is a little bit of shimmer with the Natura, but I wouldn't say a ton. For me it is the right amount. The colors blend very well so there isn't really a "disco ball effect" or anything IMO.

Agree 100%. I’ve been running mine for about 5 months. Adjusting the schedule on a phone or tablet is a super frustrating exercise. They should let you plug in the values manually like in the simple sched. The problem with the simple sched is that you cant use the lunar option with it. The color capabilities and the par output is great

 

[oreo54]

What sucks about the orpheks, is the dealer cost is around 4-500 if I remember correctly. So why mark them up that much? I’d go with reefi, quanta, or like you said, other black boxes.

In retail " keystone" is the normal markup.
Usually assumed as 2x wholesale to cover all costs of a brick and mortar store.

Not a set in stone figure but sort of " historical"

AI Overview

In retail, "keystone pricing" is a simple pricing strategy where the retail price of a product is set at double the wholesale cost, resulting in a 50% markup and a 50% gross margin.

 

[johnwwalkeriii]

In retail " keystone" is the normal markup.
Usually assumed as 2x wholesale to cover all costs of a brick and mortar store.

Not a set in stone figure but sort of " historical"

It just makes it where, if you would actually think about it, you would never want to spend that money for that light. Why pay double for it? So it’s really worth 4-500, but after markups, it’s almost 1k?! Especially when there are better and way more cost effective lights out there.

 

[johnwwalkeriii]

This is why people either leave the hobby, don’t stay, or don’t try. Companies that do shady stuff like this. If plasma tv’s used to cost 3-5k in early 2000, now tvs are a couple hundreds, why can’t lights be the same???

 

[oreo54]

This is why people either leave the hobby, don’t stay, or don’t try. Companies that do shady stuff like this. If plasma tv’s used to cost 3-5k in early 2000, now tvs are a couple hundreds, why can’t lights be the same???

Care to guess how many TVs vs how many Orpheks are sold every year?

Look i'm not defending pricing nor markup philosophies. It's just one has to look at the small scale of reef lighting.

Personally anything over $3/ watt is " excessive".
"Commercial type" white floodlights are like 20 cents/ watt. But think how many they sell and how simple they are.

Why are plumbers, mechanics, ect $100+/ hr when they actually probably only make like $30/ hr?
And these people you actually need.

 

[johnwwalkeriii]

Care to guess how many TVs vs how many Orpheks are sold every year?

Look i'm not defending pricing nor markup philosophies. It's just one has to look at the small scale of reef lighting.

Personally anything over $3/ watt is " excessive".
"Commercial type" white floodlights are like 20 cents/ watt. But think how many they sell and how simple they are.

Why are plumbers, mechanics, ect $100+/ hr when they actually probably only make like $30/ hr?
And these people you actually need.

I understand your point. You’re correct. It just bothers me. To be honest and not to sound off filter, but we know all of these products are made in Asia. I’d say 90% plus, lights aren’t as technical as tvs, radios, etc. and by what we know they’re made for Pennie’s on the dollar if not penny on the dollar. I understand there’s going to be a cost passed on, but anything over 50% is ridiculous. Sorry I took the thread off the rails! That’s my rant for the day! I will say, get what you want, like, or can afford!

 

[James Emory]

I'm 4 months in but otherwise second everything here.

You can set the time right to the minute by using the < and > buttons to adjust/fine tune the time. I try to get it as close as possible and then use the arrows to fine tune it.

 

[tjiddy]

Thanks for everyone's thoughts. Some final questions.
I really like that deep blue look from my XR15s in the evenings. is the specturm on the natura icon able to reproduce that deep blue look?
In my research, I'm reading a lot about orphek's leds burning out. It sounds like they might have fixed the issue, but I can't really tell. Any thoughts on that?

 

[underwood]

Thanks for everyone's thoughts. Some final questions.
I really like that deep blue look from my XR15s in the evenings. is the specturm on the natura icon able to reproduce that deep blue look?
In my research, I'm reading a lot about orphek's leds burning out. It sounds like they might have fixed the issue, but I can't really tell. Any thoughts on that?

I'd say yes and more because it peaks around 450 nm but also has another peak almost as big around 425 nm.