Just a question.

[Unstoppable algae!]

I am in the process of setting up a new tank. lower seal sprung a leak in the old tank
It is a 90 gallon tank with a center overflow. I currently have 2 hydra 26 & 2 ai primes that were over my last 90.
Honestly I am not disappointed with AI but the app is not good in my opinion & they are having issues connection at times...

Excuse to look into new lighting
I have been looking at the new orphek atlantic v4 and also stumbled upon Photon v2 48" which both seem to have positive feedback. I like that both lights are more of a strip style where I only need 1 cord instead of 4. I also like the blanket over the tank where there is less to no dead-spots. I always run a mixed tank with SPS high and LPS low so I think either light will be plenty strong.

I like how the Photon is cheaper... lol of course & there are strips/ bars that connect and look very pleasing if I need a little more light down the road.

Main question, should I try a different light setup over the new tank or stop with the "grass is greener on the other side" & keep the Aqua Illuminations?
Would love to hear anyone keeping SPS under Photon or Orphek lighting, preferably with no t5 supplementation. Ideally I would like to purchase a strip style light and keep it at that... If possible.

Is the Orphek much better with a $400 higher price tag?

Any pictures of tanks run by either light would be appreciated.

Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[Unstoppable algae!]

Let me re-word this.

Does anybody own an orphek v4 they are completely happy with. Meaning there is no want to add t5 supplements too?

I was able to find a bit of info on the photons.

Thanks

 

[45ZoaGarden]

I am in the process of setting up a new tank. lower seal sprung a leak in the old tank
It is a 90 gallon tank with a center overflow. I currently have 2 hydra 26 & 2 ai primes that were over my last 90.
Honestly I am not disappointed with AI but the app is not good in my opinion & they are having issues connection at times...

Excuse to look into new lighting
I have been looking at the new orphek atlantic v4 and also stumbled upon Photon v2 48" which both seem to have positive feedback. I like that both lights are more of a strip style where I only need 1 cord instead of 4. I also like the blanket over the tank where there is less to no dead-spots. I always run a mixed tank with SPS high and LPS low so I think either light will be plenty strong.

I like how the Photon is cheaper... lol of course & there are strips/ bars that connect and look very pleasing if I need a little more light down the road.

Main question, should I try a different light setup over the new tank or stop with the "grass is greener on the other side" & keep the Aqua Illuminations?
Would love to hear anyone keeping SPS under Photon or Orphek lighting, preferably with no t5 supplementation. Ideally I would like to purchase a strip style light and keep it at that... If possible.

Is the Orphek much better with a $400 higher price tag?

Any pictures of tanks run by either light would be appreciated.

Thanks everyone for the help.

I don’t see a reason to switch from ai’s. There’s nothing wrong with them.... imho you’ll get just as good, if not better coloration under hydras... just kinda seems like a pain to have to sell those lights to buy new ones that do the same thing ;Hilarious

 

[Unstoppable algae!]

Thanks for the advise. I am just looking for am all in 1 LED, it seems too popular to add t5's to existing light setups & I am trying to avoid all of the cords & t5 bulb replacements at the end of the day.
Appreciate your input, happy reefing!

 

[45ZoaGarden]

Thanks for the advise. I am just looking for am all in 1 LED, it seems too popular to add t5's to existing light setups & I am trying to avoid all of the cords & t5 bulb replacements at the end of the day.
Appreciate your input, happy reefing!

By all in one, are you referring to a unit that covers the entire tank?

 

[45ZoaGarden]

If you are, a kessil ap700 would probably cover the whole tank depending on the dimensions. Makes no sense to leave hydras though. It doesn’t get much better imho. Im pretty sure that @The Aquatic Arsenal uses one of the lights you were considering.

 

[Unstoppable algae!]

By all in one, are you referring to a unit that covers the entire tank?

Ideally an LED that does not need another light to help grow or color corals "sps" I was hoping to buy 1 good unit.

I have also been thinking about the hybrids & use 2 hydra 26's that I currently have. But I was trying to avoid replacing the t5's and their higher electricity & having 4 cords from the fixture.

Not a huge deal but I was hoping for 1 great light with 1 cord & a clean look. lol....

 

[The Aquatic Arsenal]

I am using the Photon V2+ over my frag systems. I have an AI PrimeHD over an IM Lagoon 25, but my coral and BTA's seem to like the Reef Breeders better. They are both set to about the same spectrum and intensity as well.

I have 2 of the 32" LEDs at 24" off the top of the water. The frag system is only 12" deep, which allowed me to be to raise the lights and maximize spread. I only have my 2 Blue channels and the Violet channel at 60% as well. I am able to grow SPS, but I am going to raise the intensity once I get my LPS and softies out of that system. I attached a few pics so you can see that you can see the some of the different coral we keep under the Reef Breeders and that there is no issue with coloration.

Edit: I forgot to mention that the pics are not photoshopped either lol

 

[Unstoppable algae!]

I am using the Photon V2+ over my frag systems. I have an AI PrimeHD over an IM Lagoon 25, but my coral and BTA's seem to like the Reef Breeders better. They are both set to about the same spectrum and intensity as well.

I have 2 of the 32" LEDs at 24" off the top of the water. The frag system is only 12" deep, which allowed me to be to raise the lights and maximize spread. I only have my 2 Blue channels and the Violet channel at 60% as well. I am able to grow SPS, but I am going to raise the intensity once I get my LPS and softies out of that system. I attached a few pics so you can see that you can see the some of the different coral we keep under the Reef Breeders and that there is no issue with coloration.

Edit: I forgot to mention that the pics are not photoshopped either lol

Awesome, good to know! Visually I like the look of the Photon's, they are very sleek looking. Thanks for the input and photos, thanks 45Zoagarden for tagging & helping get some feedback on my question.