Light Upgrade Recommendations

Cscultho · Jul 12, 2023

I have a 6-month old 32-gallon biocube and want to upgrade from the factory hood/light. Want to have no limitations and be able to grow any coral.

Experiences and recommendations appreciated

paragrouper · Jul 12, 2023

Cscultho said:
I have a 6-month old 32-gallon biocube and want to upgrade from the factory hood/light. Want to have no limitations and be able to grow any coral.

Experiences and recommendations appreciated

your tank dimensions are around 25” square, correct?

there are alot of puck type lights that would cover that. You could also use 24” LED bars. Either option would necessitate you getting rid of the top and, depending on your inhabitants, getting a screen top Or building a replacement canopy.

I looked at a number of options when I recently upgraded my 32 gallon Fluval flex. I wen with 3 Orphek OR3 60 (24” bars) and their Osix controller. Like you, I had to replace the stock top and I replaced it with a wood canopy. I am well pleased with the upgrade and they have more than enough power.

Cscultho · Jul 12, 2023

paragrouper said:
your tank dimensions are around 25” square, correct?

there are alot of puck type lights that would cover that. You could also use 24” LED bars. Either option would necessitate you getting rid of the top and, depending on your inhabitants, getting a screen top Or building a replacement canopy.

I looked at a number of options when I recently upgraded my 32 gallon Fluval flex. I wen with 3 Orphek OR3 60 (24” bars) and their Osix controller. Like you, I had to replace the stock top and I replaced it with a wood canopy. I am well pleased with the upgrade and they have more than enough power.

Thanks for the feedback. Do you have any pics of your setup i reference? I'm not very familiar with the "puck" lights. I was wondering if adding and xr15 or xr30 is sufficient or overkill?

paragrouper · Jul 12, 2023

I don’t have any good photos on my iPad. The one below was a quick stage test I was doing. I do have a bit about it in my build thread.

the second photo I snapped last night of my hammers and frogspawn. It was shot with an orange camera filter.

Cscultho · Jul 12, 2023

paragrouper said:
I don’t have any good photos on my iPad. The one below was a quick stage test I was doing. I do have a bit about it in my build thread.

the second photo I snapped last night of my hammers and frogspawn. It was shot with an orange camera filter.

Love the look of your tank!

rtparty · Jul 12, 2023

Couple AI Blades. 2 Grow to start. Can add a Glow later if you want more violet light added. Mine have been rocking my tank since February. No current pics but will try to grab one once I clean the glass lol

Cscultho · Jul 12, 2023

rtparty said:
Couple AI Blades. 2 Grow to start. Can add a Glow later if you want more violet light added. Mine have been rocking my tank since February. No current pics but will try to grab one once I clean the glass lol

Pics would be appreciated. thanks for the feedback. How do you mount the light?

nothing_fancy · Jul 12, 2023

Single Fixture: Radion XR-30, Kessil AP9x
Dual: (2) XR-15, (2) Kessil A360x

Aaron75 · Jul 12, 2023

Reefi Uno Pro 2!

rtparty · Jul 12, 2023

Cscultho said:
Pics would be appreciated. thanks for the feedback. How do you mount the light?

They have multiple ways. The have tank mounts included that rest on the rim of the tank. Or you can buy some that elevate the lights about 4" over the tank. Mine are hung from the ceiling on some 80/20. Pics in my build thread of my whole setup

Cscultho · Sep 21, 2023

Aaron75 said:
Reefi Uno Pro 2!

How are you liking the Reefi Uno Pro 2? Im still undecided on what light to get for my 32g biocube.

Hal3134 · Sep 21, 2023

No long term experience yet, but I just bought 2x Noopsyche K7 v3 lights based on reviews here. Good price too.

Aaron75 · Sep 21, 2023

Cscultho said:
How are you liking the Reefi Uno Pro 2? Im still undecided on what light to get for my 32g biocube.

I don't personally have experience with it, just mostly anecdotal and reviews.

Cscultho · Sep 22, 2023

Hal3134 said:
No long term experience yet, but I just bought 2x Noopsyche K7 v3 lights based on reviews here. Good price too.

what size tank do you have?

Cscultho · Sep 22, 2023

Hal3134 said:
No long term experience yet, but I just bought 2x Noopsyche K7 v3 lights based on reviews here. Good price too.

Never heard of this light?! Just looked at it intriguing. Any data on how it stacks up to the Reefi Uno? I need a good light for my 32g coralife replacement....

Aquachristik · Sep 22, 2023

Nicrew HyperReef 150 is doing well over my 40 gal. Might be a good size for you, if not, go down to 100. Either way it is dimmable and the 150 would give you better coverage.

Cscultho · Sep 22, 2023

Aquachristik said:
Nicrew HyperReef 150 is doing well over my 40 gal. Might be a good size for you, if not, go down to 100. Either way it is dimmable and the 150 would give you better coverage.

Ill give this light a look. Do you have sps/lps? I want to have a mix. And what controller do you use? Does it ram up and ram down? Any moonlighting?

Aquachristik · Sep 25, 2023

Yes, LPS and SPS grow without a problem. I have the Nicrew Controller. It has timer and ramp controller.

Bruttall · Sep 25, 2023

Reefi Lab Uno 2.0. hands down the best light available right now on the market due to the sheer power of these lights. at 277 watts total they will grow ANYTHING. I run 4 of them on an 8 foot 300g, check my build thread for pictures. I am putting 95 par at the sand line in 27 inches of water only using 107 watts of the 277 available on these lights.

The BEST radion was the G4 at 210 watts, these flat smoke radions in growth preformance. And at HALF the price of the Radions, WIN WIN.

Not to mention INDUSTRY LEADING WARRANTY, 3 years. Also a Support Facebook page the Builder of these Lights, Daniel Wu is extremely active on, I have witnessed how he stands behind his product, it is what sold me on them originally.

Picture taken yesterday. S22 with 51mm filter lens from BRS.