Orphek Reliability

scottsweet · May 12, 2022

So I have 5 -7206 Mitras on my 180 sps tank and have had them for about 3 years. All is ok...but the colors/growth isn't anything to write home about.

I am considering a lighting upgrade. I am considering Orphek's or the new Ecotech G6s that are imminently being announced. My tank dims are 60" L x 33" W x 24" H. At the time I designed/built this tank, Orphek had some reliability issues and I would have needed too many Radions. Here are some quick pics but the glass is a bit dirty.

I declined to go with Orphek's a few years ago due to the reliability and warranty issues I was reading about. It appears that the Icon's may be better.

I would like to get some input on this based on real experience... Your answers may be multiple due to your personal experience,

Thanks, Reefalot

dvgyfresh · May 12, 2022

Can’t speak for icon but the or3 bars use the same LEDs and I love it , but I also like the windex look lol. No issues so far except a power cord went out, they sent a free replacement and an orphek lens kit with it

mtraylor · May 12, 2022

Well it sounds like you dont like the color or spectrum from your existing lights, or maybe you need to add a sixth to get the par you need. If you like the bluer spectrum then you will happier with the your 2 options. The icon or the G6. Its may be too early to get data on the icon's, and of course the G6 isn't even out yet. With chip shortages etc. They may be like getting a PS5.

For G6, you will need about the same as the 7206's you have. With the icon's you could go with 2 fixtures and a couple bars.

Good luck in your decision.

scottsweet · May 12, 2022

mtraylor said:
Well it sounds like you dont like the color or spectrum from your existing lights, or maybe you need to add a sixth to get the par you need. If you like the bluer spectrum then you will happier with the your 2 options. The icon or the G6. Its may be too early to get data on the icon's, and of course the G6 isn't even out yet. With chip shortages etc. They may be like getting a PS5.

For G6, you will need about the same as the 7206's you have. With the icon's you could go with 2 fixtures and a couple bars.

Good luck in your decision.

I see you have Mitra's as well. I am using Vinny's programming now and wonder if I changed the programming, would it be better. Also, someone suggested adding some light bars...which is an interesting idea.

From people I have spoken to with the Mitra's, they simply don't have a lot of blue light compared to the other lights out there so you don't get the colors developing especially in the tenuis sps'.

I have put a par meter on my lights and what is interesting, I couldn't get much more than 350 at the very top with the lights on a 100%. I found it odd when I first got them, but....

These lights are very solid, I just can't say they give me the colors I have seen from people with the Radion's or Orphek's. Some of my corals have changed color after being in the tank for awhile. One of my stylophora's went from blue to pink...growing like a weed but... It could be trace elements or other water parameters...but.

Hydrored · May 12, 2022

I can’t speak to reliability as I waited until they released the Icons. I run the Helius program that’s closer to 14k then Blues the rest of the time. I’m super happy with the coloration and growth for a 4.5 month old tank using the orpheks.

mtraylor · May 12, 2022

Well I used to have the Mitras. I actually caved in and bought the Orphek v4 gen 2's on my main display because i wanted the more blue look. I will update my signature now. The Mitras is basically more like using a halide light as far as color with most lights on. Like 15-18k No deep blue. I got tremendous color's out of my Mitras. it took 5 to get the PAR i needed on my aquarium.

I will say this. Its by far the BEST programming in any light I have ever owned. The dusk to dawn and cloud feature is the best by far IMO. I agree that if you just want the blues, a couple orphek light bars will be your best bet. You will not be disappointed. Trust me. But you will loose the controllability of dusk dawn etc on those 2 as they are either on or off.

I went with G5's on my frag tank and they have the deep blue for dusk and dawn that I like. So fluorescents are really nice like the Orpheks.

If you like to control those types of features. The G5 may be your top of list.

I'm about to go to the ICON's, so it will be a bit before I can comment on those.

Orphek · May 13, 2022

Atlantik iCon + OR3 not at full power

mtraylor · May 13, 2022

In the front. Is that 2 OR3's side by side. If so how did you mount them. Can you give close up picture?

Orphek · May 13, 2022

mtraylor said:
In the front. Is that 2 OR3's side by side. If so how did you mount them. Can you give close up picture?

Tang GO / Thankspace is using our fixing bracket to connect both 2 Atlantik icon and OR3 LED bars

mtraylor · May 13, 2022

Oh ok. So there is 4 straps across the fixture and there is enough room for 2 in front and back. Thanks
Now I know how many of those straps I would need if I want to go that route. thanks

vetteguy53081 · May 13, 2022

Been using orpheks for a few years now and other than an OR2-120, trouble free

Orphek · May 13, 2022

vetteguy53081 said:
Been using orpheks for a few years now and other than an OR2-120, trouble free

Thy can also hold 7 OR3 bars

Shooter6 · May 13, 2022

Ati stratons as an option? Or
I also recommend you look at the ledzeal.com mirage x200

Dave-T · May 13, 2022

FWIW, I looked hard at the orpheks, and they seemed great but the fan noise was a deal breaker for me. Perhaps that isn’t a concern for you though. The Orpheks don’t even run the fans at a lower speed if the lights are cool, anything over 50% intensity and they run at 100%. So supplemental fans won’t help.

I actually ended up choosing the Mitrases.

Hydrored · May 13, 2022

Dave-T said:
FWIW, I looked hard at the orpheks, and they seemed great but the fan noise was a deal breaker for me. Perhaps that isn’t a concern for you though. The Orpheks don’t even run the fans at a lower speed if the lights are cool, anything over 50% intensity and they run at 100%. So supplemental fans won’t help.

I actually ended up choosing the Mitrases.

They did a firmware update resolving that issue (Icons)

Dave-T · May 13, 2022

Ah, man - really? Now you have me second guessing the Mitras. It’s totally bogus they ever had the issue in the first place though. I brought the issue up on the forum a couple months ago, and there was no mention of an update.

Here’s a thread I started discussing the fan issue:

Fan noise issues. Any Orphek iCon owners out there?

I am in the process of setting up a 210 gallon, 72 inch long tank. We are planning on using 5 Orphek iCon lights. My LFS lent me a unit to try out. My concern was the fan, that it would be too loud. The tank will be right next to our kitchen table, so we will be particularly sensitive to...

www.reef2reef.com

I searched the web and this forum, I can’t find anything about a firmware upgrade. Do you have a link?

Hydrored · May 13, 2022

They issued it via firmware push last week in the app, I just did the update on all 8 of my Icons on Tuesday and is sooo much better. Was my number one complaint coming from Stratons.

@Orphek as it could have been before then, I just happened to see it from editing the compact over my frag tank.

Orphek · May 14, 2022

Dave-T said:
FWIW, I looked hard at the orpheks, and they seemed great but the fan noise was a deal breaker for me. Perhaps that isn’t a concern for you though. The Orpheks don’t even run the fans at a lower speed if the lights are cool, anything over 50% intensity and they run at 100%. So supplemental fans won’t help.

I actually ended up choosing the Mitrases.

Hi , The light is running at optimal for cooling. If need supper quite you can set in the app at quite mode !

Orphek · May 14, 2022

Dave-T said:
Ah, man - really? Now you have me second guessing the Mitras. It’s totally bogus they ever had the issue in the first place though. I brought the issue up on the forum a couple months ago, and there was no mention of an update.

Here’s a thread I started discussing the fan issue:

Fan noise issues. Any Orphek iCon owners out there?

I am in the process of setting up a 210 gallon, 72 inch long tank. We are planning on using 5 Orphek iCon lights. My LFS lent me a unit to try out. My concern was the fan, that it would be too loud. The tank will be right next to our kitchen table, so we will be particularly sensitive to...

www.reef2reef.com

I searched the web and this forum, I can’t find anything about a firmware upgrade. Do you have a link?

Hi , update the system to last version then click 4 time reset button so the update will take action. Then you can set silent fan mode. Also set the temp mode C/ F . If need any help email us .

mtraylor · May 14, 2022

Pretty cool. What does silent mode do? It obviously turns fans down from 100%.. but can you give details? Does it just move fan speed down to a constant say 50%, or does it run the fan speed on per say thermometer reading to fan speed? Would be nice to know the fan speed has some smarts in it like my pc