Orpheks vs ai blades

[Notsolostfish]

I am looking at the prices of orpheks or4 vs ai blades for the 48” size and the price difference is insane! I need supplemental lighting for my infinia 190.5 5 foot tank. And was wondering if the price different for AI is worth it ? Like 225$ per bar for orpheks and 370$ for blade. Huge price difference if i want 2 to supplement my radions

 

[BryanM]

I don't have a great answer here specific to the two lights.

What I will say is that next to water quality, lights might be #2, especially if you're going for higher end items. So "skimpiing" here is far from idea, though I don't think either light is a skimp.

I will also say that aesthetics play a huge part *FOR ME*, so the light that fits my tank, room, eye, is going to be the winner if I cannot really get a good idea on something else that one light ads.

 

[Elevated Ecosystems]

I am looking at the prices of orpheks or4 vs ai blades for the 48” size and the price difference is insane! I need supplemental lighting for my infinia 190.5 5 foot tank. And was wondering if the price different for AI is worth it ? Like 225$ per bar for orpheks and 370$ for blade. Huge price difference if i want 2 to supplement my radions

I have a blade as supplemental with Red Sea led 90s I love it and it works great I’ve seen people have a lot of success with orpheks tho as well

 

[JonoH]

I had the same trouble with cost, but ended up going with the Blades. They are perfect for this purpose!

 

[mycoralswontgrow]

I love my orpheks I don’t think either will disappoint

 

[minus9]

I would skip both and get some Quanta Helix instead, better spectrum and better price.

 

[Notsolostfish]

How do i mount either orpheks or blades if i wanted 2? Like this is my setup. U can see the ceiling too short, and i dont think theres any studs for ceiling mount and also considering top lids for my tank is custom made cant go side by side what are my options here

 

[rtparty]

The Orpheks need to be 14-18” off the water which you can’t do. The Blades are far better here

They make a nice hybrid mount that fits over the Radions and holds Blades

 

[Notsolostfish]

The Orpheks need to be 14-18” off the water which you can’t do. The Blades are far better here

They make a nice hybrid mount that fits over the Radions and holds Blades

I looked through the whole internet and i could be wrong and i missed it. I cant find any single mount that works with my radions at the back of the tank. The only one i can find are the rails from side by side which i cant do because my custom top lid. But please if u can find something or anyone here let me know

 

[rtparty]

I looked through the whole internet and i could be wrong and i missed it. I cant find any single mount that works with my radions at the back of the tank. The only one i can find are the rails from side by side which i cant do because my custom top lid. But please if u can find something or anyone here let me know

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/blade-led-hybrid-mounting-kit-aqua-illumination.html

 

[Notsolostfish]

I looked through the whole internet and i could be wrong and i missed it. I cant find any single mount that works with my radions at the back of the tank. The only one i can find are the rails from side by side which i cant do because my custom top lid. But please if u can find something or anyone here let me know

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/blade-led-hybrid-mounting-kit-aqua-illumination.html

Hows that going to hold 60” inch blade going to the front?

Thats only made for smaller blades. Also u can see in the next pictures if u want the longers blades u have to switch your rms mounts to the side by side which i cant do due to my custom top lip

 

[rtparty]

They don’t run front to back on the XR30s. Look at the pics with the Hydras. The XR30s sit just how you have them

It’s a lot of weight though and angles

You may have to figure out a way to attach something to the wall instead

 

[mcarroll]

I am looking at the prices of orpheks or4 vs ai blades for the 48” size and the price difference is insane! I need supplemental lighting for my infinia 190.5 5 foot tank. And was wondering if the price different for AI is worth it ? Like 225$ per bar for orpheks and 370$ for blade. Huge price difference if i want 2 to supplement my radions

Are the two lights identical? What's the main difference in your opinion?

 

[Notsolostfish]

Are the two lights identical? What's the main difference in your opinion?

I have no idea. Not a tech savy, but im assuming spectrum, quality is better on the AI? I dont know

 

[mcarroll]

I have no idea. Not a tech savy, but im assuming spectrum, quality is better on the AI? I dont know

Is there anything the same between them? (What is the basis for comparing them....why are these your choices?)

 

[Notsolostfish]

They don’t run front to back on the XR30s. Look at the pics with the Hydras. The XR30s sit just how you have them

It’s a lot of weight though and angles

You may have to figure out a way to attach something to the wall instead

Not sure what to do

 

[minus9]

If you go with Quanta, Luca can probably have costume printed mounts made by Cleven. Just saying.

 

[BillyW]

I got the quanta and wouldn’t hesitate in the least to get them again, replace Orpheks

 

[Moe K]

I make mounts for Radion to Blade and Orpheks. Do note that the OR4 seem to rock a much more narrow lens then the OR3 bars. https://3dreefing.com/collections/shades-diffusers/products/radion-ai-blade-mount

 

[Moe K]

Since I have tried them both I will share. The output of the AI Blades is almost unbeatable. The par is much more than the Orphek. As said previously the newest Orpheks are very nice and the app control makes them a great deal but the lenses they put on them are almost 30 degrees which is super duper narrow and pretty much like a laser beam into your tank. Even with the narrow lens the par in those areas does not match what the Blade can do but on the other end of that I like the Orphek Blue Plus spectrum a lot more. The spectrum of the Blades is not bad, it just doesn't have that ultra pop I could get with the Orphek. At the end of the day though I always come back to the Blades as being superior for the power and spread they put out.

I would like to try some Quanta bars in the future but I am not sure if they have a ramp up/down control yet and that is a big feature I look for in lights as opposed to the on/off switch on a timer deal.