Reef Breeders Meridians

[Kazumi]

While I do agree with the moonlight is too bright, you can use a different channel. I was using the violet channel at like 2%, but currently just have them shutting completely off at night.

You can adjust you all the channels power in less than a minute everyday

 

[tharbin]

Just bought the Meridian 45, had a Orphek Atlantik Icon before ( smaller tank before ).

Lack of acclimation mode is not great, on the Orphek it was something like the light was on a 30 day schedule and would drop to say 30% and increase by 3% each day until full percentage achieved again ( across all channels).

Moonlight mode is way too bright, my fish thought it was day time again and freaked out so that is off which is not great. Even giving us the ability to change the LEDs that are used would be helpful to try.

Cycle through the day mode - allowing you to see what the full day light cycle would look like accelerated in a couple of mins. Ideal to not wait and be able to tell if the lighting schedule works for you.

It's a pricey light which I can see the quality in it's physical manufacture and light output no doubt there.

It's just a shame with what options it doesn't have in the app.

Appreciate it's expensive for app support. I wonder if Orphek have a in house way and Reef Breeders outsource hence the cost.

With that in mind, we would look to add the Orphek bars to the side of the 45 mostly for the moonlight and acclimation mode benefit. Until such a time that Reef Breeders can offer those features. Downsides of this would be two outlet plugs used, but cost saving and the advantages just mentioned.

Won't be for a while, so here is hoping that maybe these appear.

From what I have heard and read from others, there is some work being done on the app. I know that sometime this year there is supposed to be way to control at least some settings for the individual panels in a Meridian. Hopefully some of your points will be addressed as well.

I agree with all of your points and an acclimation mode is pretty much just standard on app-controlled lights now so I think the lack of that feature may be costing them some sales. It seems to me that the lights were designed as manual first with an app add-on versus most of the other newer lights being app-first, or even app-only.

They are really good lights and I'm having good success with them. I have a 35 Meidian-original spectrum, and two Edge 35 14ks over a 48" 100 gallon. The one issue I have which just may be a setting is that if I cut or lose power for any reason the Edges come back on in manual mode instead of returning to programmed mode like the Meridian. The first time I cut power to do some other maintenance both Edges came on at 100% when I restored power. As a work around, I have them set at about 0% in manual so that if I lose/regain power they will stay off.

 

[tharbin]

While I do agree with the moonlight is too bright, you can use a different channel. I was using the violet channel at like 2%, but currently just have them shutting completely off at night.

You can adjust you all the channels power in less than a minute everyday

I wasn't aware you could change which channel is moonlight. I may play around with it some more. I currently have mine off as well.

While it is easy to manually change the settings daily the point is that most light apps include the feature which means it 'just works'.

 

[evilexotica]

From what I have heard and read from others, there is some work being done on the app. I know that sometime this year there is supposed to be way to control at least some settings for the individual panels in a Meridian. Hopefully some of your points will be addressed as well.

I agree with all of your points and an acclimation mode is pretty much just standard on app-controlled lights now so I think the lack of that feature may be costing them some sales. It seems to me that the lights were designed as manual first with an app add-on versus most of the other newer lights being app-first, or even app-only.

They are really good lights and I'm having good success with them. I have a 35 Meidian-original spectrum, and two Edge 35 14ks over a 48" 100 gallon. The one issue I have which just may be a setting is that if I cut or lose power for any reason the Edges come back on in manual mode instead of returning to programmed mode like the Meridian. The first time I cut power to do some other maintenance both Edges came on at 100% when I restored power. As a work around, I have them set at about 0% in manual so that if I lose/regain power they will stay off.

Yeah, hate that I have to manually reset the edge bars if there's a power outage... major PITA!!!

Im pretty sure its recommended that if you control the Edge Bars by the app, you are supposed to have the manual dial set to 0% anyway.

 

[Zuluuz]

From what I have heard and read from others, there is some work being done on the app. I know that sometime this year there is supposed to be way to control at least some settings for the individual panels in a Meridian. Hopefully some of your points will be addressed as well.

I agree with all of your points and an acclimation mode is pretty much just standard on app-controlled lights now so I think the lack of that feature may be costing them some sales. It seems to me that the lights were designed as manual first with an app add-on versus most of the other newer lights being app-first, or even app-only.

They are really good lights and I'm having good success with them. I have a 35 Meidian-original spectrum, and two Edge 35 14ks over a 48" 100 gallon. The one issue I have which just may be a setting is that if I cut or lose power for any reason the Edges come back on in manual mode instead of returning to programmed mode like the Meridian. The first time I cut power to do some other maintenance both Edges came on at 100% when I restored power. As a work around, I have them set at about 0% in manual so that if I lose/regain power they will stay off.

It’s been 2 years since they’ve been released yet they charge the same price as higher end lights with full functionality out the gate. Starting to feel like I got swindled tbh

 

[VintageReefer]

They have been out for just over a year :)

I don’t see a need for acclimation mode, why would I want to affect the entire reef for a new coral? Best practice would be to start the frag low then move to desired position over time

Don’t fall jealous of gimmicks. The light is solid and the app is reliable, easy to use, and doesn’t turn your fixture on and up to 100% in the middle of the night lol

 

[tharbin]

It’s been 2 years since they’ve been released yet they charge the same price as higher end lights with full functionality out the gate. Starting to feel like I got swindled tbh

I feel that if anything, the lights are a bargain. They are very well made and do everything a light should do. I'm very happy I went with them.

I do think there are a few 'features' that are useful. Acclimation mode is great when introducing a new light to a tank, so limited use but none-the-less expected today. I wish the moonlight mode was dimmer but truthfully I probably wouldn't use it anyway. I do think they need to fix the Edges powering up in manual. They should remember the setting and return to whichever mode was set when power was lost. It isn't a deal breaker but it is slopppy.

 

[jt0117]

One thing I can add.. please add hanging kits as standard to the lights. Had to wait 3 weeks for them to be shipped to the UK from US before we could hang them. Surely they can't be that expensive to manufacture :)

 

[ScaredGoat]

I’d get two 24” Meridian shallow reef version. I think it would be perfect on that tank.

Well, after speaking to one of the guys at reef breeders I pulled the trigger on the Meridian 63. I have nothing but nice things to say about their service. Got it hung today...now to figure this thing out.

 

[MegabiteOG]

Well, after speaking to one of the guys at reef breeders I pulled the trigger on the Meridian 63. I have nothing but nice things to say about their service. Got it hung today...now to figure this thing out.

Looks fantastic! Congrats! Go to the community tab and there are lots of programs in there you can use.

 

[Science/G]

Well, after speaking to one of the guys at reef breeders I pulled the trigger on the Meridian 63. I have nothing but nice things to say about their service. Got it hung today...now to figure this thing out.

That's one heck of a light! You're gonna love it!

 

[jt0117]

Update - Spoke to Liam from Reef breeders today.

Not at all happy with the outcome.

So regarding the moonlight which is way too bright in its current feature ( waking up fish) the current equipment is hard coded to not go below 1% ( app says it can go to 0.1% ).

Liam suggests buying the following :

https://reefbreeders.com/products/meridian-elite-driver-board?_pos=1&_psq=meridian+eli&_ss=e&_v=1.0
Now the problem is these not only cost £76, I would need FOUR... Plus shipping taking my total cost to get this basis moonlight feature to £332!!!! That is actually mad for a problem they have acknowledged is a problem a year ago:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/reef-breeders-meridians.1095449/page-2
And decided to make the fix such that customers would need to cover the cost. That's half the price of a Straton X or ~£30 cheaper than 2 OR4 Orphek Lights.

For an established company we expected better, such a shame.

And to add insult to injury when I was on their website looking up the specs for the light it also mentioned their acclimation mode:

https://reefbreeders.com/pages/meri...kdxv8lPZAUTl8-mDFpRTWCb1zi_BX6VX9bab-5E5LmpL9
"Key features include a real-time moonlight mode that replicates lunar conditions based on your location, and an automated acclimation mode that gradually adjusts light intensities, with reminders to monitor coral health and automatic reversion if needed. "

That does not exist to the best of my ability looking through the app.

For what looks great from the outside, the software REALLY SUCKS. Sorry but they've lost themselves a future customer and if it wasn't for the 25% restocking fee and shipping to return it we would have it gone.

 

[Zuluuz]

Update - Spoke to Liam from Reef breeders today.

Not at all happy with the outcome.

So regarding the moonlight which is way too bright in its current feature ( waking up fish) the current equipment is hard coded to not go below 1% ( app says it can go to 0.1% ).

Liam suggests buying the following :

https://reefbreeders.com/products/meridian-elite-driver-board?_pos=1&_psq=meridian+eli&_ss=e&_v=1.0
Now the problem is these not only cost £76, I would need FOUR... Plus shipping taking my total cost to get this basis moonlight feature to £332!!!! That is actually mad for a problem they have acknowledged is a problem a year ago:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/reef-breeders-meridians.1095449/page-2
And decided to make the fix such that customers would need to cover the cost. That's half the price of a Straton X or ~£30 cheaper than 2 OR4 Orphek Lights.

For an established company we expected better, such a shame.

And to add insult to injury when I was on their website looking up the specs for the light it also mentioned their acclimation mode:

https://reefbreeders.com/pages/meri...kdxv8lPZAUTl8-mDFpRTWCb1zi_BX6VX9bab-5E5LmpL9
"Key features include a real-time moonlight mode that replicates lunar conditions based on your location, and an automated acclimation mode that gradually adjusts light intensities, with reminders to monitor coral health and automatic reversion if needed. "

That does not exist to the best of my ability looking through the app.

For what looks great from the outside, the software REALLY SUCKS. Sorry but they've lost themselves a future customer and if it wasn't for the 25% restocking fee and shipping to return it we would have it gone.

This sparked my curiosity. I measured the par of the moonlight function and I’m getting about 3 par at the surface. I’ve been running moonlight for the past year maybe a little longer. Does anybody know if this is too much? I’m going to experiment with no moonlight and see if I see improvement in my tank

 

[VintageReefer]

I have the moonlight on all night long, it doesn’t seem to bother anything. Tank is not in a bedroom though

 

[jt0117]

This sparked my curiosity. I measured the par of the moonlight function and I’m getting about 3 par at the surface. I’ve been running moonlight for the past year maybe a little longer. Does anybody know if this is too much? I’m going to experiment with no moonlight and see if I see improvement in my tank

If you have fish they may be bothered like ours, but that totally depends on your tank and fish. For corals, it would be an interesting experiment to see.

We didn't play with the moonlight setting as it was just too much stress on the fish but I know the Orphek moonlight will ramp between 0.01% to 1.00% depending on the lunar cycle for the OR4 bar we still have on our QT tank.

 

[jt0117]

So to Reefbreeders credit they have discussed with the company we brought the lights from and are sending up the chips for our lights. All resolved within 24h. Really good customer support. Honestly if this fix works we would be excited to continue trying their equipment going forward. Will update when the new chips are installed and show a before and after of the moonlight setting for others to compare.

Still putting this tank together after four weeks of it up and running from a previous system. Apologies for the untidy state!

 

[ReefinRheum]

With a meridian 63 I’d have to pay $500 on top of the $2000 I already spent just to have a moonlight. Unfortunately will likely be a pass from me

 

[VintageReefer]

With a meridian 63 I’d have to pay $500 on top of the $2000 I already spent just to have a moonlight. Unfortunately will likely be a pass from me

You can try this if you want, I either use moonlight 100% of the night or not at all.
Try and turn off any auto moonlight modes. Just have moonlight enabled and in manual mode. Then set it in the schedule so that the lights ramp down to zero and the moonlight is on, and stays on until they ramp up again.

This will be more calming for the fish and they won’t get startled. They will get used to nighttime and behave normally.

Or you can manually program a moonlight with one or the other channels at 1%

Indigo 1% vs cool blue (moonlight) 1%

Royal blue 1% vs cool blue (moonlight) 1%

 

[ReefinRheum]

You can try this if you want, I either use moonlight 100% of the night or not at all.
Try and turn off any auto moonlight modes. Just have moonlight enabled and in manual mode. Then set it in the schedule so that the lights ramp down to zero and the moonlight is on, and stays on until they ramp up again.

This will be more calming for the fish and they won’t get startled. They will get used to nighttime and behave normally.

Or you can manually program a moonlight with one or the other channels at 1%

Indigo 1% vs cool blue (moonlight) 1%

Royal blue 1% vs cool blue (moonlight) 1%

Looks good, I’ll give that a try

 

[TelegrahamTested LLC]

I purchased the ReefBreeders Meridian 11 to perform some testing. The smallest of the line, and it retails for $460. Given that price tag, I’m looking at this lineup the same way I look at the big boys. This ain’t your Amazon light. That’s for sure, but what it is is a ReefBreeders homegrown light, and the follow-up to the rebranded Evergrow/Photon line of fancy blackbox lights.

That’s enough intro, so I’ll get to it.

ReefBreeders shares a graphic on their site that shows the number of specific diodes, but it's wrong. I don’t know why it’s wrong, and I really don’t care to speculate here, but it’s wrong. But does that matter? Nope. Why? The spectrum that ReefBreeders doesn’t share works. It’s perfectly capable of growing coral. And for reference, this is the Original version, so expect less white compared to the “Shallow Reef” model.

Spread is tight like a tiger! This is a very center-weighted light, and if you edge mount it, you’re leaving performance on the table. Mount it higher if you want to actually use the PAR you’re paying for. If I’m using this light, I’m hanging this thing like a ViparSpectra. That means 15-18” above the water surface. If you wanted wider spread, you’d need to move up to the $800, 150W, Meridian 24, or pay more for the "Encompass" lens that should have shipped with the light to begin with.

Setup is easy, but there’s a catch. You have to create an account, and that means giving up your location with no opt-out. Pretty standard for a lot of these apps, but still worth calling out. Once you’re in, WiFi control is smooth, and scheduling is simple. Channel control is also solid. Pin your indigo, UVA (accurately called Near UV), royal blue, cool blue, and the separate violet/indigo channels. Then bring up the whites until the tank looks right. That becomes your baseline ratio. No master intensity slider, so all adjustments are manual across channels. Also, no manual control out of the box. That’s a $50 add on. As for advanced features, like location-based seasonal tables, you ain’t getting that from this light, but you can set an overly bright fixed blue (475nm) moonlight that's location/cycle-based.

There is no acclimation mode.

The other extras:

• Hanging kit: $50
• Tank mount legs: $50 (silver) or $70 (black)
• Encompass lens: $45 each (!!!)

Out of the box, unless you have bits from other lighting projects, you’re not fully equipped.

I found this one interesting…when you compare the Meridian to something like the EcoTech Radion XR15, the Meridian 11 comes out way ahead on cost per unit of PAR. Even running about 25 watts less, the Meridian delivers a unit of PAR at roughly one-third the cost. For some of you, that will definitely matter, but if you purchase lenses with reasonable spread, that value will decline.

Something I’ve heard from fans and retailers alike is that you’re also buying from a smaller US company, which shows up in support. You’ll get a real response if something goes sideways. That, and the warranty is stronger than what EcoTech Marine typically offers, and for many people, that matters more than branding.

Almost done…it has a fan, and my testing was performed with all channels pegged. The fan does run, but not all the time, and when it runs, you hear it. Given that most won’t run this light at max power, the fan thing probably isn’t a thing at all.

Bottom line:

I think that’s all I’ve got. It will grow coral without issue. Mount it high, accept the quirks, and be happy that if something breaks, someone will actually answer.

Please let me know if I missed any features. I’ll be happy to correct this review.