Why don't we have more aesthetically pleasing lighting options?

[ATXreefer]

I've been thinking about upgrading my tank lately and the aesthetic of the equipment and overall look is very important to me. I want my tank to blend into my house like a well placed piece of furniture; minimal cords hanging out, minimal pumps on the glass, stand that matches the interior design, etc. After all, I consider a well manicured reef to be more akin to a piece of art.

This brings me to the lights part. I feel strongly that the options for lights that really look good are minimal at best and we have just kind of accepted what's available. Only light I can think of that looks aesthetically pleasing is the ATI Straton, which is not priced within reach of the average reefer and doesn't have great mounting options (besides hanging from ceiling with cable). Why does the freshwater side have options that look like great and we don't?

Maybe I'm missing something here or even being vain, but can someone clue me in as to why we don't have products that look like the ones below? Do you truly like the way your lights and mounting system look? Assuming good reliability, quality spectrum, programmability, etc, would you like an option that's similar to the form factors in the images?

 

[ATXreefer]

I should mention I'm currently using a Kessil A360x, which I think is just OK from a looks perspective.

 

[Reefering1]

Our lights are much stronger, most require active heat management and alot of us prioritize the animals well being over how it looks. It's a life support system, Not a painting on a wall

 

[VintageReefer]

Photons look good and the new meridians look dang good especially with the matching led bars

 

[ATXreefer]

Our lights are much stronger, most require active heat management and alot of us prioritize the animals well being over how it looks. It's a life support system, Not a painting on a wall

I don't think this has to be a "pick one over the other" scenario. Look at the ATI Straton for example. Looks great and offers 230w of power with a spectrum that grows corals. BTW i find it unlikely anybody using those lights are actually maxing out the wattage.

 

[Reefering1]

Looks great and offers 230w of power with a spectrum that grows corals. BTW i find it unlikely anybody using those lights are actually maxing out the wattage.

I can name more than a few members with over 1000w of lighting over 200-300g tanks

 

[ATXreefer]

Photons look good and the new meridians look dang good especially with the matching led bars

I agree the meridians and photons are a step in the right direction. I think the look of the stands could be substantially improved.

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

The most important question is "what, precisely, is aesthetically pleasing to you?". Im sure there are options if you can answer that question.

 

[ksliech]

I’m with you, very disappointed in the options we have. To my eye the aesthetics are designed by the same engineers that design the electrical and thermal systems, without getting aesthetically focused designers involved that know what would look good in a home. I have a pair of A360xe’s and am working on getting a custom hood built to mount them in.

 

[VintageReefer]

I agree the meridians and photons are a step in the right direction. I think the look of the stands could be substantially improved.

I will agree on the stand. It’s functional, adjustable width, and can fit rimmed and rimless tanks, with or without lids, and while not horrible, it could be a little fancier.

The light itself is modern, low profile, and silent. I Ike it much more than having multiple clunky boxes daisychained together or worse, all needing their own power cords run.

 

[ATXreefer]

I can name more than a few members with over 1000w of lighting over 200-300g tanks

Fair enough and I have seen those systems too. However, I think the percentage of reefers that have over 1000w of lighting and 200-300 gallon tanks is pretty small as a whole.

 

[ATXreefer]

The most important question is "what, precisely, is aesthetically pleasing to you?". Im sure there are options if you can answer that question.

To be frank, if I could get one of the options from my original post with a reef spectrum I would buy it without hesitation. But agree, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and mine is just one person's opinion.

 

[twentyleagues]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I like sleek I also like industrial. My Reefi I like it and I think it looks good. AP9X from Kessil is also pretty nice looking. I also like orphek bars.

 

[ATXreefer]

I will agree on the stand. It’s functional, adjustable width, and can fit rimmed and rimless tanks, with or without lids, and while not horrible, it could be a little fancier.

The light itself is modern, low profile, and silent. I Ike it much more than having multiple clunky boxes daisychained together or worse, all needing their own power cords run.

Absolutely 100%

 

[Reefering1]

Fair enough and I have seen those systems too. However, I think the percentage of reefers that have over 1000w of lighting and 200-300 gallon tanks is pretty small as a whole.

Sure, But what percent of those, 2-300g systems, have >1000w of lighting?
There are plenty "attractive" options for the nano tanks

 

[Tahoe61]

What's not attractive about a Giesemann hybrid fixture or ATI T5?
The powers that be want hobbyist to move to LED. To facilitate that vendors have slowly transitioned out of MH and T5 ballist, fixtures and bulbs. There are some fantastic LED systems, I just resent the industry dictating and limiting my choices.

 

[LordsReef]

Yeah they can be ugly, my last smallish tank I used the ai blades I really like them, and they have that fresh water look, fairly slim and pretty powerful.

 

[JoJosReef]

i'd like one of these bigger unit lights like a straton or large photon just to avoid all the cords running everywhere (and bricks). No budget, currently, though :-(

 

[ATXreefer]

What's not attractive about a Giesemann hybrid fixture or ATI T5?
The powers that be want hobbyist to move to LED. To facilitate that vendors have slowly transitioned out of MH and T5 ballist, fixtures and bulbs. There are some fantastic LED systems, I just resent the industry dictating and limiting my choices.

I actually think the Giesemann matrixx 2 is a great looking fixture.

 

[ATXreefer]

Yeah they can be ugly, my last smallish tank I used the ai blades I really like them, and they have that fresh water look, fairly slim and pretty powerful.

Another move in the right direction. I forgot about the blades.