Best overall led fixture

[babycover]

Yes. My testing found no statistical differences, while others claim their light is best for coral growth.

Hi Dana,
Just trying to justify my spending of over 1k for a light as I understand lighting is one of the most important factors in a reef tank), goes by the article and your response, am I correct to say the Ebay cheap light can also produce growth in coral given that it is less than the high end light ( Radion, Reefi, Hybrid T5, MH) but the growth rate difference is not significant.

If that the case, why would we spend that much for a light? (aside from the wifi control, aesthetic pleasing)

 

[Dana Riddle]

Hi Dana,
Just trying to justify my spending of over 1k for a light as I understand lighting is one of the most important factors in a reef tank), goes by the article and your response, am I correct to say the Ebay cheap light can also produce growth in coral given that it is less than the high end light ( Radion, Reefi, Hybrid T5, MH) but the growth rate difference is not significant.

If that the case, why would we spend that much for a light? (aside from the wifi control, aesthetic pleasing)

One of the most spectacular SPS corals I ever saw was in a tank lighted by normal output fluorescent lamps with a homemade reflector made of aluminum foil. I suspect this lighting option cost less than $100 total. Was the light aesthetically pleasing - no! Definitely a case of function over fashion. Effective but not pretty.

 

[babycover]

One of the most spectacular SPS corals I ever saw was in a tank lighted by normal output fluorescent lamps with a homemade reflector made of aluminum foil. I suspect this lighting option cost less than $100 total. Was the light aesthetically pleasing - no! Definitely a case of function over fashion. Effective but not pretty.

wow, that's just wow. Properly the reef keeper is a super experience one. We all spend a ton of money on these LED but properly get a similar or not much better result.
I guess, we have to spend it since we dont have the skill of an experience reef keeper

 

[RCS82]

Best overall LED unit hey. Everyone will have a different take on this. Black boxes will work great for some while others will need the latest and greatest Radion to be satisfied. I used to put Radions and Orphek Atlantic V4s at the top of the food chain but lately, I would pass on both. Poor build quality, loud fans, diodes burnt out, poor apps, ya no thanks, I'm not replacing diodes in my nice new $1000+ fixture. Kessils, I've had 2 360WEs which were both replaced by Kessil due to failures, so not much to support there. Best overall I would go with maybe the Reefbreeders Photon, maybe it's the best LED out there. Plus the Phillip's unit would be one to look at. The ReeFi Duo Extreme looks sharp as well.
In the meantime I will stick with my M/H unit for a fraction of the cost.

 

[Bpb]

Best overall LED unit hey. Everyone will have a different take on this. Black boxes will work great for some while others will need the latest and greatest Radion to be satisfied. I used to put Radions and Orphek Atlantic V4s at the top of the food chain but lately, I would pass on both. Poor build quality, loud fans, diodes burnt out, poor apps, ya no thanks, I'm not replacing diodes in my nice new $1000+ fixture. Kessils, I've had 2 360WEs which were both replaced by Kessil due to failures, so not much to support there. Best overall I would go with maybe the Reefbreeders Photon, maybe it's the best LED out there. Plus the Phillip's unit would be one to look at. The ReeFi Duo Extreme looks sharp as well.
In the meantime I will stick with my M/H unit for a fraction of the cost.

Same. Great ideas. But if there’s even a remote chance my light fixture will go down, I want to either have an affordable backup on hand, or the company that made it to overnight a replacement. It’s just not cost effective. I second the reef breeders photon series probably being the highest value fixture available state-side right now. If one of my MH ballasts fails or a Bulb burns out, that is a very cheap and easy thing to replace. Reliability is too important to gamble on any of these new generation leds available right now unless you’ve got lots of money to burn

 

[91yjeeper]

Same. Great ideas. But if there’s even a remote chance my light fixture will go down, I want to either have an affordable backup on hand, or the company that made it to overnight a replacement. It’s just not cost effective. I second the reef breeders photon series probably being the highest value fixture available state-side right now. If one of my MH ballasts fails or a Bulb burns out, that is a very cheap and easy thing to replace. Reliability is too important to gamble on any of these new generation leds available right now unless you’ve got lots of money to burn

What do you like about the Photon? I've been looking at it for my 29 gallon.

 

[Murica]

Anyone have any recent experiences with orphek diodes? Apparently they have since fixed the issue