Quanta bars!!!!!!!!!

[Boehmtown]

Thanks for the info, if I read it correctly quanta has way more LEDs than the OR4 and more dual chips. So I can see how they would be throwing out more par. It seems like they incorporated a dimmer switch, is that true?

On the new ones. I have 2 old and one new. The new style are even nicer and come with a dimmer. Can't recommend enough

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Thanks for the info, if I read it correctly quanta has way more LEDs than the OR4 and more dual chips. So I can see how they would be throwing out more par. It seems like they incorporated a dimmer switch, is that true?

Yes they use 4 diodes per LED instead of 3 that orphek uses. Yes, it comes with a manual dimmer but if you want to dim, 99% of the people would go with some kind of controller. I just got a neptune which I will be doing that with. They also provide that extra wire that has 2 bare ends that attaches to your wire that goes to a controller, that I have to buy separate for Neptune. The meso blue is really beautiful

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Correction!

1 MB, 3 RCDL!

I had originally ordered 2/2 but returned a MB for a 3rd RCDL because 2/2 was still too blue for my taste.

Interesting. Im really liking the meso blue dominant light. Some people just love the whiter look.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Yep. 2 RCDL and 2 MB.

(No filter)

This hanging setup also looks amazing. I have my bars sitting on the tank mounts. Maybe I can get your hanging knowledge exactly how that looks.

 

[skey44]

Get a 4040 bar mount to the wall with some 2020 extrusions, that’s what I have and looks sweet.

I have the RB Meridian back of tank mounts. The light fixture itself has t-slots incorporated as does the quanta bar. I’m sure there’s a way I could come up with a direct mount. Just looking to see if anyone has done this. I guess I could mount a perpendicular extrusion to the top and then use the supplied mount. Just curious if anyone had done this exact thing to help with my research.

 

[minus9]

Yes they use 4 diodes per LED instead of 3 that orphek uses. Yes, it comes with a manual dimmer but if you want to dim, 99% of the people would go with some kind of controller. I just got a neptune which I will be doing that with. They also provide that extra wire that has 2 bare ends that attaches to your wire that goes to a controller, that I have to buy separate for Neptune. The meso blue is really beautiful

Orpheks only have 2 diodes per lens, unless they did something different? Which means, they just caught up to the old Quanta Pro's. Also, the blending with the Quanta Helix compared to the Orphek's is way better. The Meso Blue only has two sequences running the length of the bar and I think the Orphek Blue Plus has 4 or 6, so you have to mount them high in order to achieve any blending.
I'm not sure why anyone would get Orphek's over Quanta Helix, unless you're already invested into the Orhpek ecosystem?
When I first got the Meso Blue Pro's, I compared them to OR2's and XHO's combined and two 3' Meso Blue's put out more par than three 2' OR's and two 3' XHO's together.

 

[tankreefer]

Wow that’s crazy! Ok I’m sold I’ll get the quanta’s. However they are sold out of the ones I want :(.

 

[skey44]

Wow that’s crazy! Ok I’m sold I’ll get the quanta’s. However they are sold out of the ones I want :(.

That’s the reason for not buying that hasn’t been mentioned. They’ve been sold out of certain colors and lengths for months now.

 

[minus9]

That’s the only unfortunate thing, but it also tells you that Luca has made an awesome product. I can tell you that it’s worth the wait and his customer support is awesome. If you email him, maybe he’ll give you the heads up on when the next batch arrives.

 

[skey44]

That’s the only unfortunate thing, but it also tells you that Luca has made an awesome product. I can tell you that it’s worth the wait and his customer support is awesome. If you email him, maybe he’ll give you the heads up on when the next batch arrives.

Agree he’s very responsive.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Orpheks only have 2 diodes per lens, unless they did something different? Which means, they just caught up to the old Quanta Pro's. Also, the blending with the Quanta Helix compared to the Orphek's is way better. The Meso Blue only has two sequences running the length of the bar and I think the Orphek Blue Plus has 4 or 6, so you have to mount them high in order to achieve any blending.
I'm not sure why anyone would get Orphek's over Quanta Helix, unless you're already invested into the Orhpek ecosystem?
When I first got the Meso Blue Pro's, I compared them to OR2's and XHO's combined and two 3' Meso Blue's put out more par than three 2' OR's and two 3' XHO's together.

Thats crazy! Its interesting that you used both and have that comparison.

The only thing I do not like about Quanta are the giant (though supposedly very good) ballasts. I never know where I should safely put them or if I should try to mount them. Luca said he is also designing a controller that will retail at around 100 bucks early next year, which is awesome.

 

[minus9]

Thats crazy! Its interesting that you used both and have that comparison.

The only thing I do not like about Quanta are the giant (though supposedly very good) ballasts. I never know where I should safely put them or if I should try to mount them. Luca said he is also designing a controller that will retail at around 100 bucks early next year, which is awesome.

I think the bigger ballasts are probably more efficient at heat dissipation, which is a good thing. I would mount them with an air gap on the mounting side or mount them directly on a piece of aluminum to help draw heat away. Just use washers between the back of the ballast and the surface you're mounting them to.
The Helix have 15% more output than the pro's do, so that should give you even more incentive to get them over the Orphek's or any other bar. Luca has really done the homework on creating spectrums that corals need and they are designed for growth and health. I use the Atlas and two meso blue pro's over my 90g tank and that combo grows the ____ out of coral (acropora), plus fish look amazing under the spectrum combo. I get the "blue" look during sunrise and sunset period for all of the "pop" I need. I was going to go with all Helix bars, but when he mentioned the Atlas before it was released, I waited for it. I wouldn't hesitate to light a tank with all Helix bars and be completely happy with the results. I'm old school, so I would opt for the Tropic Sun/Meso Blue combo, leaning towards a more natural daylight spectrum. Clams, fish and coral really stand out and you still can have the "blue" look with simple dimming on/off between the two spectrum combos. I don't like to mess with lighting, just give me the right spectrum and some simple dimming control and I'm fine. I'm trying to grow healthy coral, not put on a light show.

 

[dangles]

This hanging setup also looks amazing. I have my bars sitting on the tank mounts. Maybe I can get your hanging knowledge exactly how that looks.

All stuff acquired from my local Home Depot! Plus the hanging mount stuff that comes with the bars of course, and I ordered a cheap crimper from Amazon or Hobo Freight.

 

[ajremington68]

I have been looking at Quantas for quite some time now and havent pulled the trigger. Found a cheaper 'for now' option of 21LED, and was planning to hand 2 44" Actinic blue over my 180g (6') tank and after ordering they dont have any in stock... Seems like I just need to get the quantas after all and stop beating around the bush.

My only concern that I keep questioning is what combo of two 4' bars do I do? I have 3 off brand kessils that look super good so I was thinking double meso blues and using the kessils to even out the intense blue, or do I do 1 meso blue 1 reef crest. Only get one chance to make the right call.... What would you do?

Also 2 4' light bars or 2 6' light bars? I have a 6' tank and its a extra 60 each bar so 120 overall I could save, and he calls out that you dont need 6' bars for a 6' tank, but the blanket....

 

[t5Nitro]

I've had the opportunity to visit Luca at his house a couple times. Just go ahead and buy Quanta lights. I fully support the guy's retirement. Cool dude with a good product that's working for now.

 

[Boehmtown]

I have been looking at Quantas for quite some time now and havent pulled the trigger. Found a cheaper 'for now' option of 21LED, and was planning to hand 2 44" Actinic blue over my 180g (6') tank and after ordering they dont have any in stock... Seems like I just need to get the quantas after all and stop beating around the bush.

My only concern that I keep questioning is what combo of two 4' bars do I do? I have 3 off brand kessils that look super good so I was thinking double meso blues and using the kessils to even out the intense blue, or do I do 1 meso blue 1 reef crest. Only get one chance to make the right call.... What would you do?

Also 2 4' light bars or 2 6' light bars? I have a 6' tank and its a extra 60 each bar so 120 overall I could save, and he calls out that you dont need 6' bars for a 6' tank, but the blanket....

Honestly email him. He loves talking lights, spectrums etc. If you think the white on the other lights can over power the bars, grab an OG and a meso blue, he's somewhere on this thread if you wanna message him on here. I can't remember the name but his name is Luca

 

[TelegrahamTested LLC]

Honestly email him.

This. Luca is a good dude and loves geeking out.

 

[Seansea]

Ya ive run quantas for a few years. My bar went out like a week before the 2 year warranty and he sent me new one out immediatly. Great lights anfd great customer service

 

[minus9]

I have been looking at Quantas for quite some time now and havent pulled the trigger. Found a cheaper 'for now' option of 21LED, and was planning to hand 2 44" Actinic blue over my 180g (6') tank and after ordering they dont have any in stock... Seems like I just need to get the quantas after all and stop beating around the bush.

My only concern that I keep questioning is what combo of two 4' bars do I do? I have 3 off brand kessils that look super good so I was thinking double meso blues and using the kessils to even out the intense blue, or do I do 1 meso blue 1 reef crest. Only get one chance to make the right call.... What would you do?

Also 2 4' light bars or 2 6' light bars? I have a 6' tank and its a extra 60 each bar so 120 overall I could save, and he calls out that you dont need 6' bars for a 6' tank, but the blanket....

Email Luca and give him some info and he'll be able to guide you on which combo to choose. He's really good at picking the right combo based on your preferences. Have some pics handy of your setup, as this helps him out.

 

[minus9]

Btw, Luca will be on Reef bum tomorrow evening, so if you want to geek out on lights, you’ll probably want to watch it. Plus, he might whip out a prototype.