Product Review: Reef Breeders Photon 48-V2+

[Josh_boss]

Hello reefers, I had a 75 gallon reef tank for several years and started with reef breeders lights. I had their first model 4ft light and it was great but a little heavy and fell into my tank after an earthquake we had. After that I upgraded my 75 to a 180 6’x2’x2’. I ordered a photon v2+4ft ($700) and a photon v2+ 2ft ($400)= 6ft($1100). I have had nothing but the greatest experience with this fixtures. The program abilities are amazing, the remotes are super cool and 1 can be synced to both fixtures. Logan at reef breeders gives nothing but the best customer service for all their products. Not only do you get a light fixture but also a very experienced reefer that can give you a the answers to your questions you have for their products. I hung the lights from the ceiling because I didn’t want this lights to drown from another earthquake, it’s 1ft off the rim of the tank and looks super sleek and low profile. I by far say with results from my tank that this fixtures are high quality and not that bad on price. I will post up my light schedule and pictures for all who want to see. I also have a forum I made with the way I connected my light without using the brackets from the company because I don’t personally like the look of it. Thanks for reading and I hope this will help more reefers feel at ease when buying this light.

 

[stephj03]

Although I don't run these lights, I have to say that amongst the guys I've come across that have significant grow houses for coral, the photon is a really common option they seem to settle with.

A guy in my area that has several frag tanks and sells hundreds of frags a yr told me for the money, you just can't beat these things.

 

[WvAquatics]

I have them on a 4x2x2 tank and they are great. I have no corals or fish still cycling but they are great lights for the price. Although I have nothing to compare it with.

 

[WvAquatics]

I have peaks set at 80 blues violet and 20 red green and white. Granted this is way stronger than they will run but while cycling that's what they are on.

 

[Ef4life]

$1400 for a 4ft tank light is not that amazing of a price... for that you could get 2xKessil 360x with a front and back supplemental orphik bar. That combo would grow anything in a 4 ft 120.

$1400 is 2 - 48” photons. That’s like totally blanketing a 4’ tank in light front to back.

 

[codycolina707]

$1400 is 2 - 48” photons. That’s like totally blanketing a 4’ tank in light front to back.

Was gonna ask what he meant by 1400 dollars even a photon 48 or 50 with 2 lumen bars is about 1100 and should cover a 24 wide tank no problem i just have a photon 50 on my 60x24x24 and it covers my tank no problem

 

[Dburr1014]

When I see videos of these the sand bed looks like a discoball of colors, does it look that way in person or is that just something the camera is doing? Seems the same on orphik videos.

I think it's the camera. But the lights do need to be up high, like 10" above the water to not get the disco effect. The company has a couple different size lenses. Just have to call if you need them if you need to be closer.
My light is actually mounted on my canopy and it's like 4"above the water. To fix the disco effect, I took out my lenses completly.

 

[Dburr1014]

Excel spreed sheet will help create your own light program.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Anyone still struggling to find the pdf can find it HERE.

 

[Heabel7]

Dana when you update the full spectrum pdf will you also include the PUR value like you did for the Phillips coral care. Thank you

 

[Dana Riddle]

Here are corrected spectral data for the Reef Breeders LED with all channels at full power. PUR is 73%.

 

[Heabel7]

Thank you sir. I’m liking the broader spectrum from 400-500 on the ReefBreeders over that of the Phillips and 1% more pur. L

 

[fishnugget1]

still cant decide Photon or Reefi

 

[ApoIsland]

still cant decide Photon or Reefi

both lights will grow coral no problem. Confirm both companies will give you a 10 day return window and buy them both. Keep the one with the most visually appealing spectrum.

 

[Futuretotm]

still cant decide Photon or Reefi

I love the reefbreeder, but want a puck type fixture like you, I think the later would open up viewing from the top, have you considered noopsyches (around the same price as v2s)

 

[Heabel7]

still cant decide Photon or Reefi

I was in the same dilemma! After seeing a near perfect blanket of light from the reef breeders from Dana’s test. Difficult to justify double the cost...... but I do love the build quality and diode choice of the ReeFi. I always thought it was a step above the Radion G4’s making it the go to fixture at $650 each.

@Ron Reefman, Dana’s Test, and the newly posted “definitive review” have given plenty of evidence that the photon V2 is an exceptional light that is not only a great value, but a great performer as well. So much so that I just pulled the trigger on the reef breeders (6 month personal mental debate). When the par meter arrives I’ll post back with my thoughts after setup (Currently using modified black boxes w/t5 supplement).

In addition, I seen a video review in which the user changed out two hydra 52s for 1 photon. The coverage and spread of the photon is definitely superior. Even with 4 pucks each they couldn’t compare to the blanket of light the broad spacing of LEDs the ReefBreeders has.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I really want to try the Reefi. I've talked with Daniel about them when they came out. But I already have 3 Reef Breeder Photons V2 fixtures. Two over a 30" front to back tank and one over my Rock Flower Anemone breeding tank. It's hard to justify another $650 for a fixture I really don't need. But I think it's a well designed fixture and well built as well.

 

[fishnugget1]

I c ant mak e up my mind

Why. Would you change if u are having success.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I don't intend to change. I still think the Reef Breeder Photon V2+ is by far the best value, high feature, good looking led fixture available.

I'm just very interested in the Reefi fixture. I've dealt with Daniel on an older fixture he made and his customer service was excellent and the light had a lot of potential. But IMHO, the 3D printed case and shade really let the quality of the entire fixture down. I think the new fixture has huge potential. I'd love to be trying the Reefi over my Rock Flower Anemone breeding tank. But I already have $375 Photon over the tank and it's way more than up to the challenge. I'm just intrigued with the Reefi design and innovations.

 

[Dana Riddle]

I don't intend to change. I still think the Reef Breeder Photon V2+ is by far the best value, high feature, good looking led fixture available.

I'm just very interested in the Reefi fixture. I've dealt with Daniel on an older fixture he made and his customer service was excellent and the light had a lot of potential. But IMHO, the 3D printed case and shade really let the quality of the entire fixture down. I think the new fixture has huge potential. I'd love to be trying the Reefi over my Rock Flower Anemone breeding tank. But I already have $375 Photon over the tank and it's way more than up to the challenge. I'm just intrigued with the Reefi design and innovations.

I've got a lot of data on the ReeFi I haven't published. I will write a more complete review when I get out from all the deadlines I'm under.