Lighting… apples to oranges?

[Brian6119]

I am nearing the end of my “lights off” cycle period and it’s almost time for me to get lights and transfer everything from QT tanks into display after two months of watching and three months of cycling… I have a Cade 1800 (70”x24”x24”)

For the first bit I’d have LPS and softies until I advance to a comfortable stage of throwing some sticks in for a mixed reef tank. I’m considering two lighting brands (mostly because I’m curious to weigh out the differences between a $160 light and a $600+ light). SIDE NOTE to aid in any advice, I do not and cannot get WiFi other than a Verizon JetPack and my phone’s “Hotspot.” Now onto the light choices.

I’ve heard and read many great things about Reef Breeders Photon V2 Pro (I am under the assumption that I can connect the light to my phone’s hotspot to set up but then can disconnect from the hotspot afterwards, and they do not need a constant WiFi band. Please correct me if I’m wrong). I’d be getting two of the 32” lights and using the BOT mounts or the Photon Link Kit (depending on if I’d want to notch out my ATO cover or mount them on the rim and notch out the net cover).

I’ve also heard and read some good things about the Viparspectra LEDs off of Amazon. I would be getting three of the 16” lights. A lot of people swear these will do the same as any other lights and they’ve had great success with coral growth and color with these, just as any other light. The only thing I’m not wanting to do is hang them from the ceiling over my tank. That’s my main draw back.

Please feel free to recommend any other good lighting choices.

My questions are:

1. Which light would yield the better coral growth and color?

2. Which light will have the most “user friendly” features?

3. Which light would be the easiest to work with as far as customer service goes?

4. Which light would be the easiest for a “Newbie” to set up.

Thank you and I look forward to reading your responses!

 

[GillMeister]

Have you looked at Noopsyche lights? The last gen K7 Pro2's didn't need WiFi and were good value.

 

[oldmonk]

I am nearing the end of my “lights off” cycle period and it’s almost time for me to get lights and transfer everything from QT tanks into display after two months of watching and three months of cycling… I have a Cade 1800 (70”x24”x24”)

For the first bit I’d have LPS and softies until I advance to a comfortable stage of throwing some sticks in for a mixed reef tank. I’m considering two lighting brands (mostly because I’m curious to weigh out the differences between a $160 light and a $600+ light). SIDE NOTE to aid in any advice, I do not and cannot get WiFi other than a Verizon JetPack and my phone’s “Hotspot.” Now onto the light choices.

I’ve heard and read many great things about Reef Breeders Photon V2 Pro (I am under the assumption that I can connect the light to my phone’s hotspot to set up but then can disconnect from the hotspot afterwards, and they do not need a constant WiFi band. Please correct me if I’m wrong). I’d be getting two of the 32” lights and using the BOT mounts or the Photon Link Kit (depending on if I’d want to notch out my ATO cover or mount them on the rim and notch out the net cover).

I’ve also heard and read some good things about the Viparspectra LEDs off of Amazon. I would be getting three of the 16” lights. A lot of people swear these will do the same as any other lights and they’ve had great success with coral growth and color with these, just as any other light. The only thing I’m not wanting to do is hang them from the ceiling over my tank. That’s my main draw back.

Please feel free to recommend any other good lighting choices.

My questions are:

1. Which light would yield the better coral growth and color?

2. Which light will have the most “user friendly” features?

3. Which light would be the easiest to work with as far as customer service goes?

4. Which light would be the easiest for a “Newbie” to set up.

Thank you and I look forward to reading your responses!

Hello
ReefBreeders phton V2+ are very good lights. If your wifi is not very assuring all the time, mite as well go with the remote control that comes with the light.
BOT mounts are very nice , but only thing you will have to get them a bit customized to suit the CADE as standard ones wont get the light fixture in the centre. Reason being the additional ato /plumbing space that Cade has behind the display and if i am assuming it correctly you would be mounting these from the rear most glass.
Logan from reefbreeders can customize to suit the cade.

Am late to the party. By now you must have bought the lights. So which one did you opt for ?

 

[Zach B]

+1 @noopsyche for lights. I ran vipars before the K7 V3's. While they did grow coral, I could see a big difference after switching them to Noo-Psyche. Lots of great lights out there. Best of luck

 

[piranhaman00]

Noopsyche or smatfarm, no need for viper anymore