Reefbreeder Photon 24 or Reefi?

[albie]

In our quest to find lighting for our new mixed reef tank (dimensions 36”x24”x16”), we have narrowed it down to a Reefbreeder Photon 24 with back mount, or something from Reefi. Any recommendations one way or the other, and if Reefi, which one and how many? The tank is in our living room, and we won’t be using a canopy, so overall aesthetics, as well as performance, is important.

 

[exnisstech]

Why not a photon 36? You could use the leg mounts. I have a 36x24x24 tank with one on it. I also have the bot mount but don't really like it. It's a little floppy and I can't get the light perfectly level. Not a biggie but crooked stuff bugs me. Sorry I have no experience with reefi lights. This is the 36 over my tank

EDIT : sorry meant to say photon 32

 

[twentyleagues]

I have not used a photon but the one above looks nice! I have used reefi. I am not 100% if one of the uno 2.0 pros would cover your tank perfectly or not I guess it depends on what kind of corals you want. You would need to use the included 120 degree lens. Mine with that lens covers my 28"x28"x24" tank just fine and I am only using 124w of the 270 avail. I have mostly lps but have start dabbling in sps. I have a canopy so I can not talk about side glare that much but when I open the canopy its not bad. With the 90 lens there is 0 side glare but then it only covers 24x24.

 

[steveschuerger]

Why not a photon 36? You could use the leg mounts. I have a 36x24x24 tank with one on it. I also have the bot mount but don't really like it. It's a little floppy and I can't get the light perfectly level. Not a biggie but crooked stuff bugs me. Sorry I have no experience with reefi lights. This is the 36 over my tank

Seconded for Photon 36. I have one, used over both a IM 30l and an SR60. Solid light. You’d need 2 ReeFis for that tank, and as much as like mine the ReefBreeder the mainstay.

 

[albie]

Why not a photon 36? You could use the leg mounts. I have a 36x24x24 tank with one on it. I also have the bot mount but don't really like it. It's a little floppy and I can't get the light perfectly level. Not a biggie but crooked stuff bugs me. Sorry I have no experience with reefi lights. This is the 36 over my tank

Honestly, I was just thinking the 24 to keep costs down. This is our first saltwater tank so we don’t really know that the future brings and may not ever get to very adventurous corals. But do also want something that will keep our options open and allow us to grow, so will bear the 36 in mind!

 

[albie]

Seconded for Photon 36. I have one, used over both a IM 30l and an SR60. Solid light. You’d need 2 ReeFis for that tank, and as much as like mine the ReefBreeder the mainstay.

Thanks for the advice, this is for the IM SR 60 too.

 

[VintageReefer]

Honestly, I was just thinking the 24 to keep costs down. This is our first saltwater tank so we don’t really know that the future brings and may not ever get to very adventurous corals. But do also want something that will keep our options open and allow us to grow, so will bear the 36 in mind!

I had a photon 24 on a 36” 40 breeder and exchanged it for a photon 32 and was much happier. I could keep any coral anywhere in the tank and was extremely happy with it.

I run a photon 48 on a 75g these days and also am very happy with the coverage and spectrum

 

[steveschuerger]

Thanks for the advice, this is for the IM SR 60 too.

This is what it looked like over mine. Still using the light but with the ReeFi I have over the 90 I moved into.

 

[exnisstech]

Honestly, I was just thinking the 24 to keep costs down. This is our first saltwater tank so we don’t really know that the future brings and may not ever get to very adventurous corals. But do also want something that will keep our options open and allow us to grow, so will bear the 36 in mind!

I edited my first post, I meant photon 32. The leg mounts are included so if you don't mind the look a 32 would only be about $100 more than a 24 because you wouldn't need the bot mount. Not trying to sway just mentioning it. I've spent more money buying twice too many times

 

[twentyleagues]

Not knowing where you are going with this I would get a light that fits the tank and has adjustability to grow different corals. If you like the "hobby" then your taste in corals will most likely change but available space may not so that tank might be there for a while. Get a light that fits the tank to give end to end coverage. Sounds like the photon users know whats good.

 

[VintageReefer]

Here is my photon 48 over a 75g
I like the mounting legs more than hanging racks/rails and find the whole unit sleek and modern looking

I have full coverage and at 35-40% I get 100-125 par on the sand and 250-300 at the top of my structures

Plenty of buffer to bump channels up more if you want to get into sps and mount them low

 

[albie]

I edited my first post, I meant photon 32. The leg mounts are included so if you don't mind the look a 32 would only be about $100 more than a 24 because you wouldn't need the bot mount. Not trying to sway just mentioning it. I've spent more money buying twice too many times

I’ll probably just go with the 32 and the back mount and spend all the money.

 

[exnisstech]

Here is my photon 48 over a 75g
I like the mounting legs more than hanging racks/rails and find the whole unit sleek and modern looking

I have full coverage and at 35-40% I get 100-125 par on the sand and 250-300 at the top of my structures

Plenty of buffer to bump channels up more if you want to get into sps and mount them low

I forgot to mention the shelf capabilites of the photons

 

[twentyleagues]

I forgot to mention the shelf capabilites of the photons

yeah you are not doing that with a reefi, Thats the top selling point right there!

 

[VintageReefer]

I forgot to mention the shelf capabilites of the photons

I love the shelf functionality!

 

[VintageReefer]

I love the shelf functionality!

Of course its not right in my photo, but the remote fits perfectly on the 4 thumb wheel set screws that attach the legs to the light itself. It’s like a little stand to hold the remote

 

[albie]

Just ordered the ReefBreeders Photon 32 - thanks for all the advice! Looking forward to getting everything set up next week.