Orphek or Reef Brite

[Sean Clark]

Are there any LED light bars that have controllability right outside of the box? I don’t think so, unless I’m mistaken.

Yes there are. I didn't bring them up because the question was Orphek or Reef Brite for supplemental lighting.

Current USA Orbit Marine

Orbit Marine IC PRO Dual LED Light for Saltwater Reef Aquariums

The Orbit Marine IC PRO produces a vibrant, full-color spectrum using dual-LED fixtures, delivering up to twice the amount of light. Now with wireless 24-Hour LOOP control, it’s easier than ever to program and control your LED lights, create waves, and control the flow – all with a simple touch.

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Fluval Marine 3.0

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[BanjoBandito]

I would use Orphek. The ReefBrite is not controllable without an added controller and that means even more cords... Kind of silly.

....but I thought we all loved cords? ....aren't we judging success by the size of your birds nest shoved behind the cabinet?

 

[Sean Clark]

....but I thought we all loved cords? ....aren't we judging success by the size of your birds nest shoved behind the cabinet?

Well I am really winning then

 

[Manny’s Reef]

Reef Brite or Quanta. I wouldn't touch Orphek if they were the last lighting company in the hobby. Their old sales rep threatened myself and my family years ago because I dared to say LEDs don't have the same spectrum as T5s and halides.

But what does that have to do with the quality of the light?

 

[BanjoBandito]

Well I am really winning then

My nano is a joke. The new DT I've been smart enough to shove everything behind the cabinet so it's out of sight and I've labeled all the plugs so I know what goes where. Nothing worse than staring at 10 plugs and trying to figure out what is running what.

 

[rtparty]

But what does that have to do with the quality of the light?

Why would I ever support a company that employs people like that? There are a dozen LED bars out there from good companies.

The Orphek story is very long and was all over on RC. I had PMs from the rep and even reached out to the owner of Orphek. I sent them the voicemail after I wouldn't answer his phone call. They did nothing and he continued being a rep for a while after that.

I would take Reef Brite, ReefBreeders, Quanta, Custom AliExpress, or any other before I even look at Orphek. Especially when you have Tullio over at Reef Brite who runs circles around these other companies when it comes to lighting knowledge. Everyone else is trying to match the XHO for a reason. The Orphek is an Ali bar with their sticker slapped on it.

 

[BanjoBandito]

Why would I ever support a company that employs people like that? There are a dozen LED bars out there from good companies.

The Orphek story is very long and was all over on RC. I had PMs from the rep and even reached out to the owner of Orphek. I sent them the voicemail after I wouldn't answer his phone call. They did nothing and he continued being a rep for a while after that.

I would take Reef Brite, ReefBreeders, Quanta, Custom AliExpress, or any other before I even look at Orphek. Especially when you have Tullio over at Reef Brite who runs circles around these other companies when it comes to lighting knowledge. Everyone else is trying to match the XHO for a reason. The Orphek is an Ali bar with their sticker slapped on it.

I've had issues with reef equipment companies in the past too. It's unbelievable how this hobby seems to attract vultures and arrogance! I looked at an orphek and came to the same conclusion. The only way to "vote" in this country is with the almighty dollar!

EDIT: I am not hard to get along with. lol. At least I don't think I am, I'm a business owner I'm sensitive to a lot of "business issues" but to be flat out rude when representing a company is a big NO NO for me. It's a reflection of ownership.

 

[Manny’s Reef]

Why would I ever support a company that employs people like that? There are a dozen LED bars out there from good companies.

The Orphek story is very long and was all over on RC. I had PMs from the rep and even reached out to the owner of Orphek. I sent them the voicemail after I wouldn't answer his phone call. They did nothing and he continued being a rep for a while after that.

I would take Reef Brite, ReefBreeders, Quanta, Custom AliExpress, or any other before I even look at Orphek. Especially when you have Tullio over at Reef Brite who runs circles around these other companies when it comes to lighting knowledge. Everyone else is trying to match the XHO for a reason. The Orphek is an Ali bar with their sticker slapped on it.

Look I understand your feelings towards the company based off your interaction with this one individual. Really rough story. That doesn't, however, have anything to do with whether the lights are a good option for other consumers or not. That is what this post is about.
There are tons of companies out there that do bad by the consumer and others with a rogue employee who harms the consumer. Its all over. Look at our police force. Does one rogue cop mean we should hate the entire force? I hope not. Look at what is happening right now between Ukraine and Russia. How many companies have pulled their businesses away from Russia? How many chose to stay? Would you boycott those who stayed? For example, Subway refused to pull business out of Russia. Does that mean that we all should stop doing business with Subway? I don't know. Don't think so. At the end of the day, they offer items that are a perfect fit for some customers.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with Orphek. I sympathize with you. I don't think though that your one experience with their employee should warrant a complete boycotting of their lights by all hobbyists.

The orpheks are not ali express bars with a sticker slapped on them. That's the quanta bars you're talking about. Orphek doesn't manufacture their lights in China. Just clarifying in case you really believed otherwise.

For the record, I just placed by order 15 minutes ago. The orphek rep I spoke to was lovely to deal with.

 

[dvgyfresh]

I may be biased but I’d go with orphek , I’ve only ever gotten excellent customer service. They’ve sent me free lens kit / extra power cords in case one no longer works

 

[afrokobe]

Look I understand your feelings towards the company based off your interaction with this one individual. Really rough story. That doesn't, however, have anything to do with whether the lights are a good option for other consumers or not. That is what this post is about.
There are tons of companies out there that do bad by the consumer and others with a rogue employee who harms the consumer. Its all over. Look at our police force. Does one rogue cop mean we should hate the entire force? I hope not. Look at what is happening right now between Ukraine and Russia. How many companies have pulled their businesses away from Russia? How many chose to stay? Would you boycott those who stayed? For example, Subway refused to pull business out of Russia. Does that mean that we all should stop doing business with Subway? I don't know. Don't think so. At the end of the day, they offer items that are a perfect fit for some customers.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with Orphek. I sympathize with you. I don't think though that your one experience with their employee should warrant a complete boycotting of their lights by all hobbyists.

The orpheks are not ali express bars with a sticker slapped on them. That's the quanta bars you're talking about. Orphek doesn't manufacture their lights in China. Just clarifying in case you really believed otherwise.

For the record, I just placed by order 15 minutes ago. The orphek rep I spoke to was lovely to deal with.

I mean you do you, if you can keep all your own opinions out of product decision then all to you.

Other people like me, even if it is a personal experience, wouldn't want to support a company and I dont think you should hold it against them.

Customer service is very integral to part of a product. Yes, it might be a rogue employee, but that does not diminish or change that person's experience. And if it is a rogue employee, the company should be going out of their way to make things right....

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

....but I thought we all loved cords? ....aren't we judging success by the size of your birds rats nest shoved behind the cabinet?

Fixed that bird part, lol. On a serious note I modded the alie popbloom bulbs. Power quick. That potting used on the whack power supply they give is rubbish. I'm using my own 24v supply w a 0-10v dimmer.

 

[Acros]

Look I understand your feelings towards the company based off your interaction with this one individual. Really rough story. That doesn't, however, have anything to do with whether the lights are a good option for other consumers or not. That is what this post is about.
There are tons of companies out there that do bad by the consumer and others with a rogue employee who harms the consumer. Its all over. Look at our police force. Does one rogue cop mean we should hate the entire force? I hope not. Look at what is happening right now between Ukraine and Russia. How many companies have pulled their businesses away from Russia? How many chose to stay? Would you boycott those who stayed? For example, Subway refused to pull business out of Russia. Does that mean that we all should stop doing business with Subway? I don't know. Don't think so. At the end of the day, they offer items that are a perfect fit for some customers.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with Orphek. I sympathize with you. I don't think though that your one experience with their employee should warrant a complete boycotting of their lights by all hobbyists.

The orpheks are not ali express bars with a sticker slapped on them. That's the quanta bars you're talking about. Orphek doesn't manufacture their lights in China. Just clarifying in case you really believed otherwise.

For the record, I just placed by order 15 minutes ago. The orphek rep I spoke to was lovely to deal with.

There was a post on orphek icons today where a user mentioned that orphek lights are made in China and another user confirmed that their lights are shipped form Hong Kong (thats were the AliExpress bars were shipped from as well). Where do they make their light bars if not China?

Quanta bars are not AliExpress bars. Quanta bars have 20 LEDs per 2’ where was AliExpress bars have 18 LEDs per 2’ (same as orphek).

 

[Hairyteeth]

I have orpheks on one tank and reef brutes on the other both have kessil shimmer as well mixed in…..reefbrite’s are winning by far in my book so far but haven’t given up on the orphek setup yet

 

[oreo54]

Are there any LED light bars that have controllability right outside of the box? I don’t think so, unless I’m mistaken.

Sbreef may have manual dimmer included:

sBar Supplemental Actinic Bar Light

Fast and easy to install an sBar lights. Perfect for custom lighting into canopy, sump, refugium or etc.

sbreeflights.com

Another " brand"

ReefBar Pro

ReefBar Pro

21ledusa.com

 

[Manny’s Reef]

There was a post on orphek icons today where a user mentioned that orphek lights are made in China and another user confirmed that their lights are shipped form Hong Kong (thats were the AliExpress bars were shipped from as well). Where do they make their light bars if not China?

Quanta bars are not AliExpress bars. Quanta bars have 20 LEDs per 2’ where was AliExpress bars have 18 LEDs per 2’ (same as orphek).

Ali express confirmed that the guy from Quanta simply asked them to modify the light bars for him to include the 20 LEDs. This was a custom request and they agreed to do it for him because of the volume of his order. Go to Humblfish's forum. A user posted a screen shot of the convo with Ali express. Quanta bars ARE absolutely ali express bars modified to Luca's specification.

 

[minus9]

Ali express confirmed that the guy from Quanta simply asked them to modify the light bars for him to include the 20 LEDs. This was a custom request and they agreed to do it for him because of the volume of his order. Go to Humblfish's forum. A user posted a screen shot of the convo with Ali express. Quanta bars ARE absolutely ali express bars modified to Luca's specification.

It’s not that simple and I don’t want to derail this thread with back and forth. Even @telegraham will tell you that and he’s disassembled lots of lights.

 

[Manny’s Reef]

It’s not that simple and I don’t want to derail this thread with back and forth. Even @telegraham will tell you that and he’s disassembled lots of lights.

I’ve read tons of his comments on this already. He sounds like someone who has an interest in the company. To me, He sounds like a sales rep. But hey, that’s my own ignorant opinion on him.

 

[Manny’s Reef]

And I misspoke about where the bars are manufactured. Yes the orpheks lights are manufactured in China.

 

[mandarin417]

I am starting a new tank with MH and added the Orphek OR# Blue Plus to suppelment. Looks awesome.

​

 

[minus9]

I’ve read tons of his comments on this already. He sounds like someone who has an interest in the company. To me? He sounds like a sales rep. But hey, that’s my own ignorant opinion on him.

If you’re referring to Jim @telegraham, then you’re way off base on that one. He’s like the old school consumer reports of reefing gear with no skin in the game other than to give an honest opinion of the gear. Again, I’m not trying to go back and forth here, but we need to be careful with what we post as fact and hearsay in this hobby.