Light purchase decision advice

[living_tribunal]

I’ve been preparing to purchase the reefbreeder photon v2 for a while.

I recently came across a sale in our local reef group for 2 16” photon v1s for $185 however.

I’m a novice and only plan on running my 36G and eventually a 90G cube with these.

Would you spend the $400 on the 24” photon v2 or purchase the two 16” photon v1s for $185?

Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[T_BONE]

Personally I would save up and get the light you want. That way you will not regret it when you have to upgrade in the future. I got my first lights at a deal although they weren’t the ones I wanted and ended up shortly thereafter buying the ones I wanted. Hope that helps.

 

[living_tribunal]

Personally I would save up and get the light you want. That way you will not regret it when you have to upgrade in the future. I got my first lights at a deal although they weren’t the ones I wanted and ended up shortly thereafter buying the ones I wanted. Hope that helps.

Sound wisdom.

 

[bluprntguy]

Yeah, but is the reefbreeder photon really your ultimate light? It’s fine. Lots of people use it. It will grow coral. On the downside, the LED’s are spaced out creating a fair amount of disco effect and it’s pretty bulky.

I’d buy the used lights and see how you like them.

 

[living_tribunal]

Yeah, but is the reefbreeder photon really your ultimate light? It’s fine. Lots of people use it. It will grow coral. On the downside, the LED’s are spaced out creating a fair amount of disco effect and it’s pretty bulky.

I’d buy the used lights and see how you like them.

The photon v2 is my light of choice. The par spread on them is pretty amazing, quite comparable to high end kessils. They are able to maintain 300 24" deep with a foot long radius. The reviews seem pretty outstanding as well. They seem like the best bang for your buck. The bulkiness really doesn't bother me much, I just want a powerful light fixture that's capable of growing whatever I care to grow. These blow every light at the same price point out of the water:

I have heard reports of discoballing from the spacing of the leds so I plan on setting up a t5 hybrid system eventually. Another major factor to this is the red and green leds on the system.

I'm just not ready to commit to spending on Radions or something of similar caliber quite yet.

 

[bluprntguy]

I'm just not ready to commit to spending on Radions or something of similar caliber quite yet.

Yet. Which indicates you might be wanting something nicer in the future. Which is why I’d buy the used lights and see how you like them.

 

[living_tribunal]

Yet. Which indicates you might be wanting something nicer in the future. Which is why I’d buy the used lights and see how you like them.

True but I really don't see myself buying two Ecotechs or an AP700 anytime soon. There really aren't many other lights I am interested in atm. I think to T_Bones point, at only $150 more, it's probably worthwhile to just go ahead and purchase a new 24" photon v2.

While I'd still get the excellent par from the 2 16" v1s, they would be an aesthetic eyesore on the tank. I'd really only be buying them for the power. The v2 is much slimmer, pretty similar to the Ap700 in fact. It's maybe 1/2-1 inch thicker than the ap700.

 

[bluprntguy]

Seems like you made up your mind.

 

[Paul Sands]

reefbreeders are crap lights unless you like listening to donna summer while eating ambrosia while lounging in your bean bag chair.

no one likes the disco effect. It will eventually annoy you to no end and you’ll be mad you wasted the extra money. probably the reason the dude in your reef club is selling them.

 

[living_tribunal]

Seems like you made up your mind.

I suppose I have. As a novice, I want to take things easy. I don't want to be $5,000 deep without having gone through the ropes first if that makes sense .

I'll keep your advice in mind for a later date when I'm ready. For now, something that's half the price with nearly the same power as an AP700 will do the trick as I get my bearings straight.

 

[living_tribunal]

reefbreeders are crap lights unless you like listening to donna summer while eating ambrosia while lounging in your bean bag chair.

no one likes the disco effect. It will eventually annoy you to no end and you’ll be mad you wasted the extra money. probably the reason the dude in your reef club is selling them.

I've heard others have just turned off the red/green diodes except for peak afternoon hours which eliminated most all discoballing and shimmer.

Maybe I should ask, do you have a recommendation for something of similar power/coverage for a price point of $500 and under?

 

[Paul Sands]

I've heard others have just turned off the red/green diodes except for peak afternoon hours which eliminated most all discoballing and shimmer.

sorry. there is a reason that quality companies like ghl, kessill, and (to some extent) ecotech and ai pack their LED’s as closely together as they can. yeah turning off the red LED’s reduces it, but it’s still not an even light.

 

[living_tribunal]

sorry. there is a reason that quality companies like ghl, kessill, and (to some extent) ecotech and ai pack their LED’s as closely together as they can. yeah turning off the red LED’s reduces it, but it’s still not an even light.

Definitely true. AI's do have a good price point but I feel like the shadowing from the pucks and how weak they are would be more of a nuissance than some discoballing. I was looking at the specs of a hydra compared to the photon v2 and it's just not convincing. The max par was 225 I believe. You're kind of limited on what you want to grow to a degree, and also where in your tank you want to grow it.

 

[Paul Sands]

Definitely true. AI's do have a good price point but I feel like the shadowing from the pucks and how weak they are would be more of a nuissance than some discoballing. I was looking at the specs of a hydra compared to the photon v2 and it's just not convincing. You're kind of limited on what you want to grow to a degree, and also where in your tank you want to grow it.

not really. No one needs 800 par in their tank.

 

[living_tribunal]

not really. No one needs 800 par in their tank.

No doubt, but being able to maintain 300-400 throughout the tank would be nice if I ran a heavy sps tank.

Are you saying you would prefer something like an ai hydra radium hybrid? I'm legitimately asking as I am new and want a good initial light set up.

 

[vetteguy53081]

V2 @$400 better investment

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Need to always take in account resale value when you invest in lights as well... Ive gone through a ton of lights this past year and thank god Ive gotten all my money back... Not telling you to buy crazy expensive lights... just saying if five months from now you aint happy, its always nice to know you wont have issues getting your money back... thats a good feeling in this hobby

 

[living_tribunal]

Need to always take in account resale value when you invest in lights as well... Ive gone through a ton of lights this past year and thank god Ive gotten all my money back... Not telling you to buy crazy expensive lights... just saying if five months from now you aint happy, its always nice to know you wont have issues getting your money back... thats a good feeling in this hobby

Good point, I'll definitely keep that in mind.

 

[motortrendz]

I have the hydra ai's. The original ones. I dont have a par meter but I can tell you my tank is 26inches deep and I grow everything. Maybe find 2 older hydra 26s for now(they're going fairly cheap now). You'll have better control and no disco effect. Just an idea.