Viparspectra or Reefbreeder v1

Ed olson · Mar 24, 2021

If you had a choice between used Reefbreeder v1 or new Viparspectras 165 which would you choose?

vetteguy53081 · Mar 24, 2021

Reefbreeder

Bpb · Mar 24, 2021

Is one used and one new?

Brian_68 · Mar 24, 2021

Not a Reefbreeder V1 due to their age at this point.

Ed olson · Mar 24, 2021

Bpb said:
Is one used and one new?

Reefbreeder used. Viparspectra new.

Ed olson · Mar 24, 2021

Brian_68 said:
Not a Reefbreeder V1 due to their age at this point.

What about the age is the issue? What would be the disadvantage?

Ilikefishandlamps · Mar 24, 2021

Ed olson said:
What about the age is the issue? What would be the disadvantage?

Leds loose potency over time. Black boxes faster then high ends

Ed olson · Mar 24, 2021

It's a 48" breeder for about $160.

anthonygf · Mar 25, 2021

Viparspectra. I had a vipar 300 for several years on my 46 bowfront, then upgraded to 2 kessils 2 years ago and just sold it for $75. The lights are the same inside, the remotes are identical. Get 2 165's or one 300 watt. best to go with 2, they can be daisy chained. loved mine when I had it.

Ilikefishandlamps · Mar 25, 2021

I run vipars btw and love them

Brian_68 · Mar 25, 2021

Ilikefishandlamps said:
Leds loose potency over time. Black boxes faster then high ends

Plus the V1 has been out a few years, not just recent, and will fail sooner or later especially if it was used at higher settings.. Half my LEDs eventually went out completely on my V1 and the drivers are no longer available. Every year or so I needed to disassemble as well to clean out tons of dust. If that was not done over time with these it will not help longevity as they could have more of a tendency to overheat. You would be amazed how much dust collects inside.

sde1500 · Mar 25, 2021

Ed olson said:
It's a 48" breeder for about $160.

That's too much for a 5 year old fixture. I run one, its great, but happened to buy it a few months before v2 came out 5 years ago.

Ed olson · Mar 26, 2021

They look a lot like the same type panel lights? Can any explain what the differences are? I'm just really torn. I don't want to get shafted should the Reefbreeders crap out on me due to age and I don't want to be left without recourse due o poor/no customer service with the Viparspectras. UGH!

anthonygf · Mar 27, 2021

Ed olson said:
They look a lot like the same type panel lights? Can any explain what the differences are? I'm just really torn. I don't want to get shafted should the Reefbreeders crap out on me due to age and I don't want to be left without recourse due o poor/no customer service with the Viparspectras. UGH!

Viparspectra has great customer service. When I first set up my light I dropped the remote in the tank and it got wet. Well of course ruined it, I contacted Vipar to buy a new remot and told them I dropped it in the water, the sent ment a new remote free of charge. If you use the remote daily like I did it will most likely not last a year maybe a little more. Every time it wears out I contact Vipar and they still send me a new remote free of charge, 3 remotes in a little over 3 years.