Silent Lights Poll

[twentyleagues]

In reading about the OR3, I do not seem to have control over spectrum the way I would with the Stratton or Mitras. Is that true?

This is correct. Its only option is dimming on all channels with the o6. The bars are "optimized" for a certain look.

 

[smiley28]

In reading about the OR3, I do not seem to have control over spectrum the way I would with the Stratton or Mitras. Is that true?

You could just buy OR4s and have the program ability of their pendants but over a 5” span.

Looked up the tank. Best coverage would come from 6 or3/4s, 120/48” and only runs you 1230$ before tax if they are still running the intro deal on OR4s.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks, folks. :)

 

[lbacha]

Here is an or3 Reef day and a or2 blue plus and UV over my 40g breeder. No filter just my phone camera as you can see it very white vs other lights out there. I like the Atlantiks for this reason but they have fans They can look like 6500k medal halides if you like that look

 

[Oldreefer44]

Stratons are by far the best looking. Do everything the others do. Also can program based on PAR.

 

[MDReefguy]

I deep dove into lights 15 months ago when I was getting back into reefing. I narrowed it down to Orphek, AI Blades, Quanta, and Kessil based on noise, spectrum, controllability, cost, how they looked, etc.

Orphek's lack of control took them out, and I ended up going Kessil because I like the shimmer/color, with an ai blade fill. If I were to do it over again, probably Kessil and quanta. Or just Quanta. But I do love my Kessils. I've removed the AI blade when I just upgraded tanks, and added another Kessil. I like the shadows and shimmer.

 

[Pntbll687]

Yes, I’m hoping to reuse my old Oceanic 120. It has a fairly large glass center brace.

The atlas may work with a glass brace, shouldn’t get too much shadowing.

Atlas with two meso blue bars. Or two meso blue and one reef rest daylight would be more than enough

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

I deep dove into lights 15 months ago when I was getting back into reefing. I narrowed it down to Orphek, AI Blades, Quanta, and Kessil based on noise, spectrum, controllability, cost, how they looked, etc.

Orphek's lack of control took them out, and I ended up going Kessil because I like the shimmer/color, with an ai blade fill. If I were to do it over again, probably Kessil and quanta. Or just Quanta. But I do love my Kessils. I've removed the AI blade when I just upgraded tanks, and added another Kessil. I like the shadows and shimmer.

i have 2 A360’s and a quanta. Quanta is gorgeous

 

[twentyleagues]

If I didnt have a canopy on the 180 I would go with the atlas and the meso blue bars. I still might I have not decided. It will be easier for me to go with a couple more Reefi and cheaper also not that I am that concerned for that. I want something that is going to be strong enough and controllable without burning up in a canopy. If I decide not to use the canopy I think I may try the Quantas. But that brings up the controllability issue. Yes they are 0-10v dimmable and have 3 power settings at least on the atlas but I can not tweak the spectrum to my liking. I also dont own a controller so I cant do the 0-10v dimming without buying something more. I would also like to see the Quantas in real life or at least a good video of them. I watched one video on the atlas I was impressed but i'd like to see the Helix bars and/or a combo in action. (really a combo)

I want to like Orpheks I just cant do 18+" off the water to cut down on the multi color disco. Too much separation of color they need to come up with a way to blend it better.

I voted Quantas but I think you should go with an atlas or 2 and maybe a couple bars.

I really like my Reefi the color in pics and videos is not what I see in reality my peak is very white but everything still has that pop. Fans though, and I could not tell anyone if they are noisy or not my fish room is very loud.

 

[dedragon]

I would look into 1 or 2 of the reefbreeder meridian edge between other light bars (probably aliexpress for the price) to get some control over your white to blue ratio settings
Otherwise i would go all quanta to just have the control between the light bars. Quanta seems like they are putting in a lot more effort than orphek in their latest release

 

[TelegrahamTested LLC]

The Quanta and Orphek are essentially the exact same thing from my understanding, but the Quanta has a longer cord.

Just count the number of lenses on each bar. Sure...they are both bars, but the Quanta Pro has more diodes per bar, and those are bi-color diodes under the lenses. Quanta Helix improves on the Pro design by adding multi-color quad diodes under the lenses. The Helix are 0-10 dimmable without any extra equipment. The Pros are not natively dimmable, but they can be dimmed using this - https://a.co/d/2Ug0bA0

 

[twentyleagues]

Just count the number of lenses on each bar. Sure...they are both bars, but the Quanta Pro has more diodes per bar, and those are bi-color diodes under the lenses. Quanta Helix improves on the Pro design by adding multi-color quad diodes under the lenses. The Helix are 0-10 dimmable without any extra equipment. The Pros are not natively dimmable, but they can be dimmed using this - https://a.co/d/2Ug0bA0

Wow that is really cool! thank you for posting that. Would that work for the Atlas also? I see it is rated at 400w.

 

[aquaman67]

I’m invested in the Aqua Illumination biosphere with Nero powerheads so it only came naturally that I chose AI’s Blade when I needed a light after my RedSea REEFLED acted up.

The Blades are silent and I like the AI app I was already using.

 

[TelegrahamTested LLC]

I'm interested in getting opinions on which types of silent lights are best.

There is no "best."

I have the Quanta Atlas, Quanta Pro, Orphek OR2, and Mitras LightBar3 (and 2) here. I've tested the original Straton. I have not been hands-on with the CC2s.

The original Straton is a work of art, but it's ridiculously expensive. The same is true for the Pro. If you're chasing a vanity tank, this is a pretty choice.

The Quanta Atlas is $500, it's incredibly powerful, it's very efficient, and it mimics 14,000k MH. It offers switchable output and 0-10V dimming. I dig its industrial look. Think of it as your weird uncle's Chevy Nova with a rat motor hidden under the hood. Not a looker, but will show the pretty ATI what's up.

The Quanta Pro is better than the Orphek offerings in terms of color blending, and the Helix improves on the Pro's design by adding native dimming and even better blending down the length of the bar. Something to consider is that the Quanta bars are intended to be fit together like a spectrum puzzle. Luca can help you target your look by using multiple bars.

Orphek is just Orphek. Depending on the bar, as you move down the length of the bar measuring spectrum, that spectrum changes (meh blending). That, and you ain't gonna get US support like you would from the Quanta.

The Mitras LightBar3 is what you'd expect from a Mitras LX7, but it's in a bar form. When used with any current generation GHL controller (like the Light WiFi), multi-channel, dimming, season table, moonlight (any channel), and most anything else you'd expect from a GHL fixture. They are also one of the few lights that include actual UV diodes. I've been running the 7206s and LightBar2s for quite a while, and they are very reliable.

I can offer marketing-free data for any of the above.

 

[TelegrahamTested LLC]

The Blades are silent and I like the AI app I was already using.

I've personally tested the Grow and the Glow. Their spectrum and efficiency are crap compared to the other offerings in that space. That, and longer versions may sag over time.

 

[Dburr1014]

Atlas flanked with bars of your choosing.

 

[Koty]

I have the Maxspect RSX-200 for a ~ 100 g, 120 cm-long tank, and It's very quiet. In my tank, all LEDs are at 100% during daylight time, and the nice thing for me is that it is not too blue and looks like a natural reef. I recently added two Kessil A360X fixtures and they are also almost soundless

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

21 LED ReefBar Pro with the SunSetter Control. I’ve taken the lights to the Laundry Sink, hosed the salt off, dried with a Towel and put them right back in service. I dropped one accidentally in the Aquarium, while powered. Hosed it off and cleaned the plug with RO/DI Water, I waited 24 hours, to dry before plugging it back in. Was scared it would throw sparks out. This was about two years ago, light is still working.

 

[smiley28]

I've personally tested the Grow and the Glow. Their spectrum and efficiency are crap compared to the other offerings in that space. That, and longer versions may sag over time.

Get your hands on some OR4s I have 2 OR3s for supporting an 8 bulb t5 but can’t run them much as the par from 1 par raises readings on my sandbed by over 100 in an IM100 10” off the lip of the tank. I’m already around 200+ on the sandbed. I can only use 1 of the 2 at a time.. for a ramp up hour. It would be cool to see what 6 do and they would be completely controllable. Luckily I have 120s and Osix is compatible so might get my hands on it and test it out.

 

[X-37B]

I run 2 OR4 uv/v units between 2 photon 50's.