Popbloom RL90 vs Vipraspectra - Send me your thoughts.

[Jasoncav123]

Hi all, I will be setting up a 125 long tank here soon, 6ftx18Inx24In. I'm torn between the Popbloom RL90 lights which I was going to run 4 across or compared to the VipraSpectra most like 3 placed longways as the tank is narrow.
It seems Vipraspectra is the obvious popular choice but warranty/support between the two seems to be the same. The RL90 however uses the singular focal lens to better disperse colors. The popbloom to me sems more enticing as well the mobile app but I am having a tough time buying into a less popular product(popbloom) on amazon/ebay.
I believe both lights will provide similar results I just can't pick one for the life of me

 

[williamCreery]

Pop bloom is the way to go. I use Red Sea and honestly seeing these on my buddies tank with the right spectrum it’s like close to identical.
He’s mentioned good growth from day one of using them. So in terms on hearing about them and seeing them in person…. They give a pop for the price and investment!
He’s had his for 3years.


In terms of brand. I would suggest Red Sea.
When it comes down to saltwater tanks lighting is the most important and probably the most expensive.
Just cuz I have a Red Sea it puts out strong safe par and reliability and most importantly… costs
In the long run… trust bigger brands if that’s an option too?

 

[Mechano]

Hi all, I will be setting up a 125 long tank here soon, 6ftx18Inx24In. I'm torn between the Popbloom RL90 lights which I was going to run 4 across or compared to the VipraSpectra most like 3 placed longways as the tank is narrow.
It seems Vipraspectra is the obvious popular choice but warranty/support between the two seems to be the same. The RL90 however uses the singular focal lens to better disperse colors. The popbloom to me sems more enticing as well the mobile app but I am having a tough time buying into a less popular product(popbloom) on amazon/ebay.
I believe both lights will provide similar results I just can't pick one for the life of me

As a heads up I have had issues with the wifi modules on the popblooms and the app time sync issues gets old very quick.

My grouped lighting today was set for 930. But came out and one of the lights was on at 830. So it will need to be reset and re-added all the time. (At least what I experience with these lights. I have 5)
But they are excellent lights…if u can get the manual controller without wifi, that is the way I would have gone to be honest.

But the lights are great as a whole and I seen plenty growth. I still have 2 on my big system but the wifi/app is annoying and because of this I am replacing them.

these lights will just be used on my quarantine/observation/frag tank kinda thing.

 

[oreo54]

Hi all, I will be setting up a 125 long tank here soon, 6ftx18Inx24In. I'm torn between the Popbloom RL90 lights which I was going to run 4 across or compared to the VipraSpectra most like 3 placed longways as the tank is narrow.
It seems Vipraspectra is the obvious popular choice but warranty/support between the two seems to be the same. The RL90 however uses the singular focal lens to better disperse colors. The popbloom to me sems more enticing as well the mobile app but I am having a tough time buying into a less popular product(popbloom) on amazon/ebay.
I believe both lights will provide similar results I just can't pick one for the life of me

From spectrum to control-ability to daisy chaining these lights are totally different.
The RL90 actul watts seems to be around 80 while the vipar is around 110 each ..at full.
The at full is sort of important since most who run vipars dim the "white" channel by at least 50% thus the use-able wattage starts at 75-ish and could be as low as 60.
Vipar is 50% "blue" while the RS/RL90 is like 80% blue by wattage.



Now as to the app.. yea I 'heard" about the issues. Honestly if you can get the "old" RS90 wit hthe old controller if you are worried. They are up-gradeable if you find you can't live without it.
$558 for 4..BUT ARM is separate at $43 each
$728.80
Sooo the "universal arm" is either $10 or $43 depending on the "kit".

Pardon Our Interruption...

www.ebay.com

Pardon Our Interruption...

www.ebay.com

$600 for 4 w/ app AND mount.

Pardon Our Interruption...

www.ebay.com

ODDLY the $600 is only about $40 more expensive than hanging only kit and should give you 4 "universal arms".
Crazy..
Popbloom pricing ect has always been hard to figure out..Seem like it changes monthly
Old school w/ Turing controller is usually slightly more expensive

 

[Jasoncav123]

From spectrum to control-ability to daisy chaining these lights are totally different.
The RL90 actul watts seems to be around 80 while the vipar is around 110 each ..at full.
The at full is sort of important since most who run vipars dim the "white" channel by at least 50% thus the use-able wattage starts at 75-ish and could be as low as 60.
Vipar is 50% "blue" while the RS/RL90 is like 80% blue by wattage.



Now as to the app.. yea I 'heard" about the issues. Honestly if you can get the "old" RS90 wit hthe old controller if you are worried. They are up-gradeable if you find you can't live without it.
$558 for 4..BUT ARM is separate at $43 each
$728.80

Pardon Our Interruption...

www.ebay.com

Pardon Our Interruption...

www.ebay.com

$600 for 4 w/ app AND mount.

Pardon Our Interruption...

www.ebay.com

ODDLY the $600 is only about $40 more expensive than hanging only kit and should give you 4 "universal arms".
Crazy..
Popbloom pricing ect has always been hard to figure out..Seem like it changes monthly
Old school w/ Turing controller is usually slightly more expensive

Do you know if multiple Vipra lights can be controlled from one remote after the timers are set on the lights?

 

[oreo54]

Do you know if multiple Vipra lights can be controlled from one remote after the timers are set on the lights?

Can not be programmed for sunrise, sunset and moonlight.

- Does not have a shimmering/ storm effects mode setting.

- Can not set up multiple lights by one remote at the same time, have to do it separately.

- Can not be daisy chained.
Avg. Power Draw for 165W
105W±3%

Pardon Our Interruption...

www.ebay.com

 

[Tang fastic]

Pop bloom is the way to go. I use Red Sea and honestly seeing these on my buddies tank with the right spectrum it’s like close to identical.
He’s mentioned good growth from day one of using them. So in terms on hearing about them and seeing them in person…. They give a pop for the price and investment!
He’s had his for 3years.


In terms of brand. I would suggest Red Sea.
When it comes down to saltwater tanks lighting is the most important and probably the most expensive.
Just cuz I have a Red Sea it puts out strong safe par and reliability and most importantly… costs
In the long run… trust bigger brands if that’s an option too?

I agree on every term pop bloom is the way to go

 

[Tang fastic]

Do you know if multiple Vipra lights can be controlled from one remote after the timers are set on the lights?

From what I have been told by my lfs is that you can but finicky and a hazard

 

[Tang fastic]

Pardon Our Interruption...

www.ebay.com

I also think vispa lights are quite ugly and bulky

 

[IntrinsicReef]

48"x24"x30"T with 2 Viparspectra. I program to run mostly blue in the morning/ night, and mostly white during the day. They can grow anything the high end lights can.

 

[Tang fastic]

48"x24"x30"T with 2 Viparspectra. I program to run mostly blue in the morning/ night, and mostly white during the day. They can grow anything the high end lights can.

I stand corrected

 

[Tang fastic]

48"x24"x30"T with 2 Viparspectra. I program to run mostly blue in the morning/ night, and mostly white during the day. They can grow anything the high end lights can.

Look amazing so in that case that is what I will use in my wrasse tank coming up

 

[IntrinsicReef]

I stand corrected

I mean, their housing isn't near as sleek and designer as some other lights. But they have been workhorses for me. The ones over this tank are around 5 years old

 

[Tang fastic]

I stand corrected

48"x24"x30"T with 2 Viparspectra. I program to run mostly blue in the morning/ night, and mostly white during the day. They can grow anything the high end lights can.

my tanks look like dog water compared to this and I made a 40gallon tank with tidal activity for my nems, jawfish and some cookie stars

 

[Minifoot77]

I used the viparspectra and controlled them with a hydros threw a steves led controller interface. if you plan on running hydros I got 3 vipars that would be plug and play for sale

 

[Stiyro]

I used the viparspectra and controlled them with a hydros threw a steves led controller interface. if you plan on running hydros I got 3 vipars that would be plug and play for sale

Do you still have these for sale?

 

[Minifoot77]

Do you still have these for sale?

I still have them

 

[Stiyro]

I still have them

I might be interested. Im setting up my first tank with Hydros controllers. Right now I have a Hyrdos X2 and Hydros X3 that i got for a really good deal. How does this Steves LED board connect to the Hydros system? Do i need to have a Hydros controller with one of those purple 0-10v connectors?

 

[Minifoot77]

I might be interested. Im setting up my first tank with Hydros controllers. Right now I have a Hyrdos X2 and Hydros X3 that i got for a really good deal. How does this Steves LED board connect to the Hydros system? Do i need to have a Hydros controller with one of those purple 0-10v connectors?

No I have all the cables already hooked up... I soldered them myself. It worked off of an x4 so should work for you

 

[Stiyro]

No I have all the cables already hooked up... I soldered them myself. It worked off of an x4 so should work for you

The Hydros X4 does have the 0-10v out connector. The X2 and X3 do not. How are you connecting it to the hydros controller?