Want new lights, what should I get?

[Bucrob]

I have a 4ft x 2ft x 2ft tank. It currently has 3 current USA orbit lights that I strongly dislike, not a fan of the colors and seem to constantly have an issue with the app, whether that’s the lights staying on past their scheduled time (till like 6am when they are set to go off at midnight) or my lights just randomly turning off. I plan on keeping soft corals and lps primarily, potentially a couple of sps, easier to keep as I’m newer to the hobby. I don’t want to break the bank so I’m looking at the used marketplace or bb like reef breeders. What should I get?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Tagging the #reefsquad crew on this one!

 

[Fish Fan]

I think there's lots of good options for lights, depending on your budget and goals. A lot of people seem to like the EcoTech Radions, they seem to be the "gold standard" these days. I like Kessil lights, I think they provide a nice shimmer. Many also like brands like Noopsyche and NiCrew for solid budget lighting options.

I hope that helps, and good luck with your build!

 

[JoJosReef]

Two Orphek Icon compacts would do well. Those may not sell at a deep enough discount though. Unlikely to find used Meridians right now, although might be abke to find the older Photons. Perhaps look into the Nicrew Gen 2s.

 

[Red_Beard]

I have a 4ft x 2ft x 2ft tank. It currently has 3 current USA orbit lights that I strongly dislike, not a fan of the colors and seem to constantly have an issue with the app, whether that’s the lights staying on past their scheduled time (till like 6am when they are set to go off at midnight) or my lights just randomly turning off. I plan on keeping soft corals and lps primarily, potentially a couple of sps, easier to keep as I’m newer to the hobby. I don’t want to break the bank so I’m looking at the used marketplace or bb like reef breeders. What should I get?

you like pendant style fixtures or do you like the strip form factor? Personally I like to do both, especially if you want to keep SPS. You can start with one or the other and add to it as you go.

I am biased towards quanta helix strip lights, they are fantastic and the price/quality ratio is spot on. I am also biased towards the reefbreeders, the new meridians are awesome, even better if you get them on sale like black friday or something. The cool part about upgrading as you go, is that you can get a helix or 2 and then wait for what you want, you aren't in a rush.
The meso blue is BLUE, if you like whites i would get the reef crest day, or a combination of them.

 

[rtparty]

Nicrew Gen 2 are awesome.

AI Blades may work as well with your current mounting system. I know some people were using the Current tank mounting system to attach Blades to. A couple Grows would be plenty for your setup

 

[Bucrob]

I think there's lots of good options for lights, depending on your budget and goals. A lot of people seem to like the EcoTech Radions, they seem to be the "gold standard" these days. I like Kessil lights, I think they provide a nice shimmer. Many also like brands like Noopsyche and NiCrew for solid budget lighting options.

I hope that helps, and good luck with your build!

Somewhere around the $1000 range, I was looking at something like 2 photon 48 v2+ or a giesemenn stellar t5 fixture with one of my current USA lights

 

[Red_Beard]

Nicrew Gen 2 are awesome.

AI Blades may work as well with your current mounting system. I know some people were using the Current tank mounting system to attach Blades to. A couple Grows would be plenty for your setup

can confirm. i have mounted AI blade to the current light mounts.

 

[Bucrob]

Two Orphek Icon compacts would do well. Those may not sell at a deep enough discount though. Unlikely to find used Meridians right now, although might be abke to find the older Photons. Perhaps look into the Nicrew Gen 2s.

I found 2 v4s for 195

 

[JoJosReef]

I found 2 v4s for 195

That is pretty insane. Are all the LEDs working? I don't know what the v4 needs in terms of serup and control, as I've only used the icons, but they are all upgradable to icons as well if you ever need to.

 

[Bucrob]

That is pretty insane. Are all the LEDs working? I don't know what the v4 needs in terms of serup and control, as I've only used the icons, but they are all upgradable to icons as well if you ever need to.

It would seem like a few of the leds aren’t working. Probably like 6 of them on each light unit. Is there a way to replace the leds?

 

[Coody]

I think there's lots of good options for lights, depending on your budget and goals. A lot of people seem to like the EcoTech Radions, they seem to be the "gold standard" these days. I like Kessil lights, I think they provide a nice shimmer. Many also like brands like Noopsyche and NiCrew for solid budget lighting options.

I hope that helps, and good luck with your build!

Somewhere around the $1000 range, I was looking at something like 2 photon 48 v2+ or a giesemenn stellar t5 fixture with one of my current USA lights

Saw someone selling Orphek atlantik icons for $500/ec on market place.
Might be an option.

 

[JoJosReef]

It would seem like a few of the leds aren’t working. Probably like 6 of them on each light unit. Is there a way to replace the leds?

Better just to upgrade to Icon:

Shop/ Buy UPGRADE to Atlantik iCon LED PCB - best spectrum developed for optimal coral growth, color pop & health. Get 78 customized high quality/ efficiency 5w Dual-Chip power LEDs – total of 156 individual LEDs Chip. 10 optimized different types of

Upgrade LED PCB Kit to Atlantik iCon Compact

shop.orphek.com

Yes, a bit of DIY work and $175 apiece is a pretty penny, but afterwards you have enough light for the whole tank for anything you want.

I ran an upgraded Atlantik over my 83. It missed about 4-6" on either side (2x compacts would have completely covered the tank), so I added bars on either end:

 

[dwest]

I’d try 2 Nicrew 200’s gen 2 and a controller.

 

[Bucrob]

you like pendant style fixtures or do you like the strip form factor? Personally I like to do both, especially if you want to keep SPS. You can start with one or the other and add to it as you go.

I am biased towards quanta helix strip lights, they are fantastic and the price/quality ratio is spot on. I am also biased towards the reefbreeders, the new meridians are awesome, even better if you get them on sale like black friday or something. The cool part about upgrading as you go, is that you can get a helix or 2 and then wait for what you want, you aren't in a rush.
The meso blue is BLUE, if you like whites i would get the reef crest day, or a combination of them.

Do you think a single meridian edge could light up the tank? I’m willing to spend the money on it if it’s going to be good as a single light

 

[X-37B]

You won't need 2.
I run 2 photon 50's, 48", on my 60×30×21.
One would work on your system.
2 you could run at 50% they put out alot of par.
I would do a Meridian if you want new.
Dm me I have a used 50 with remote

Do you think a single meridian edge could light up the tank? I’m willing to spend the money on it if it’s going to be good as a single light

Yes

 

[Bucrob]

Saw someone selling Orphek atlantik icons for $500/ec on market place.
Might be an option.

Shipping?

 

[Jarob]

If I could get any light right now I'd get the ATI Straton Flex, they're beautiful

 

[Red_Beard]

Do you think a single meridian edge could light up the tank? I’m willing to spend the money on it if it’s going to be good as a single light

optically? sure, you could maybe even grow some softies with one. a single edge for that much area though would get you started, but not much else. they are awesome for shading and supplementation though.

x-37b is also right, a single photon will cover your tank quite nicely, then once it grows in, the edge would help fill in where you are getting some shading.

 

[Bucrob]

optically? sure, you could maybe even grow some softies with one. a single edge for that much area though would get you started, but not much else. they are awesome for shading and supplementation though.

x-37b is also right, a single photon will cover your tank quite nicely, then once it grows in, the edge would help fill in where you are getting some shading.

lol sorry I meant the meridian that comes with the edge bars attached my bad