piranhaman00
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I do agree, seems like they melt after a few years also.
Another pretty amazing example of BRS making a subpar product sell like crazy.
Quanta bars!!!!!!!!!
- Thread starter Boehmtown
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I do agree, seems like they melt after a few years also.
Another pretty amazing example of BRS making a subpar product sell like crazy.
Hooz
Valuable Member
Man. Some of the pics in this thread are getting me excited for the Helix! I'm kind of a "spectrum geek" since getting back into reefing several years ago (there were no LEDs when I started in the early 90's). I'm also a fan of supporting the "little guys", because I feel like a lot of times that's where the real innovation is happening.
I've been running LuxEngine LED upgrades in my lights since I got in on the beta test 3+ years ago because, IMO, they have the arguably the best spectrum on the market. I've also been following along with Luca and Quanta since pretty much the beginning, because he was pushing the same spectrum envelope.
I actually prefer the strip light form factor, but I need more than just a simple on/off control, so I've just followed from a distance. The Meanwell 0-10v dimmable driver and "quad-core" technology of the Helix are about to change that for me. I finally got down off the "controller fence" and picked a side (Hydros) for a new tank I'm setting up, and the 0-10v inputs/outputs seem to be a sign that I at least have to give Helix a try when it's released.
For color I'm leaning a pair of Meso Blues and a single Reefcrest Daylight. Since the tank will be a dedicated LPS system, I won't need anywhere near the PAR that setup will put out (Now they're dimmable!), but I do want the wall-to-wall coverage that setup will give me.
I've been running LuxEngine LED upgrades in my lights since I got in on the beta test 3+ years ago because, IMO, they have the arguably the best spectrum on the market. I've also been following along with Luca and Quanta since pretty much the beginning, because he was pushing the same spectrum envelope.
I actually prefer the strip light form factor, but I need more than just a simple on/off control, so I've just followed from a distance. The Meanwell 0-10v dimmable driver and "quad-core" technology of the Helix are about to change that for me. I finally got down off the "controller fence" and picked a side (Hydros) for a new tank I'm setting up, and the 0-10v inputs/outputs seem to be a sign that I at least have to give Helix a try when it's released.
For color I'm leaning a pair of Meso Blues and a single Reefcrest Daylight. Since the tank will be a dedicated LPS system, I won't need anywhere near the PAR that setup will put out (Now they're dimmable!), but I do want the wall-to-wall coverage that setup will give me.
piranhaman00
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I’m still confused why people think these have such good coverage? I believe they are 90 lenses which would be the same as orphek.
Hooz
Valuable Member
Mount them high enough and/or use enough of them and you get whatever coverage you want. Since they are SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than other "brand name" LED strip lights, you can get 2 or 3 bars for the price of one big name. Also, we don't know what the lenses on the new lights are since they haven't been released, and nothing has been posted yet.
The thing that Quanta is known for, though, is the use of multiple lower power diodes per lens. Instead of a single color diode every inch of bar, you get 2 colors every inch. So you get better blending from end-to-end on the bar, without having to mount them 2 feet above the tank. The new Helix bars take that even further by switching to "quad-core" LEDs, so you get 4 colors of LEDs under a single lens.
More colors in less space = better blending, regardless of the beam angle.
If a standard 24" bar has 18 LEDs (spaced evenly over the 24" length), you are limited in your color options because you need the overlap (blending) for the length of the bar. Now take the same 24" bar with 36 LEDs and your options really start to open up. The Helix seems to be basically the same bar with 72 LEDs... Options for colors and blending really start to get crazy at that point.
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Hooz
Valuable Member
I don't work for Luca, and I don't have any info that the rest of you haven't heard, but I am a lighting geek when it comes to this stuff. When I heard "quad-core" LED, this is what that means to me...
A single chip with 4 different colors under one lens. If you're looking for a broad blue band, this is the kind of thing that gets you going because the number of colors you have to use really opens up, even in the same "old" form factors that we're all used to.
A single chip with 4 different colors under one lens. If you're looking for a broad blue band, this is the kind of thing that gets you going because the number of colors you have to use really opens up, even in the same "old" form factors that we're all used to.
Well not defending any but not all 90 lenses are the same.
I believe the dual cores may also throw off the pattern ( non- centered) to their advantage.
Second I believe the Quanta has a higher linear density ( think it's like 1 more dual core per foot) which will blend things better and help a bit with shadows.
Could also be wishful thinking
Hooz
Valuable Member
Well not defending any but not all 90 lenses are the same.
I believe the dual cores may also throw off the pattern ( non- centered) to their advantage.
Second I believe the Quanta has a higher linear density ( think it's like 1 more dual core per foot) which will blend things better and help a bit with shadows.
Could also be wishful thinking
I think you are correct with the current bars (dual core). That's why I'm excited to see what quad core looks like in the new Helix bars.
minus9
5000 Club Member
Because I've directly compared them against xho's and OR2's. Xho's have great blending because they're only 450/470 diodes, so there's not a lot to blend. The Quanta's have 2 diodes per lens and the blending is night and day compared to Orphek. In order to mitigate the separation of the Orphek's, you have to mount them so high, they become useless or less efficient. I don't see any separation with the Quanta's, but I do see a nice subtle shimmer and not the disco ball you get with Orphek bars. You actually get more light with the Quanta's than the Orphek's at virtually the same price, plus you get a better spectrum. If I were to choose LED bars as my main light source, I would pick Quanta's over everything else on the market right now. Now with The Helix and the upcoming Atlas fixture, I think a lot of people may seriously look at a much more affordable and better option than most major manufacturers offer currently. I think people like Danial (Reefi) and Luca (Quanta) are pushing LEDs into the future and will push others to do the same. LEDs for the most part have been stagnant in a lot of ways for a long time, but this is my own personal opinion. I love seeing fixtures like ATI's Straton, but I don't think they are worth that much money and are cost prohibitive for most.
A Chinese " straton" on steroids .
LED aquarium light, LED lights, Nano reef aquarium, Reef Builders, Reef and Marine Aquarium Blog, Aqua mini, Aqua Pro, LED nano, micmol
LED aquarium light, LED lights, Nano reef aquarium, Reef Builders, Reef and Marine Aquarium Blog, Aqua mini, Aqua Pro, LED nano, micmol
Still a grand though but 2x the wattage.
Hooz
Valuable Member
You can't leave Tim (Luxdium) out of that conversation. The first LuxEngine LED upgrades were out before Reefi or Quanta were even a thing. But, like I said previously... The innovation seems to happening first with the "little guys". Some of the big name companies are starting to catch on, while others don't seem to care.
It's all good for those of us paying attention, though.
nbooks
Active Member
please excuse the algae nastys, i have 5 month old twins...
This is 3x6 ft bars (RCD, Meso, og pop) on my 220 (24" front to back and 30"ish deep , taken with iphone 15 pro, orange lens and no edits. Its quite close to what i feel i see with my eyes. unfortunately no, i dont have par numbers at the moment, but coming soon.
minus9
5000 Club Member
I knew there was someone that I missed. Hobbyist getting involved is what makes all the difference. I like companies that take constructive criticism and customer feedback. Those who don’t think they need it are the ones that truly need it.You can't leave Tim (Luxdium) out of that conversation. The first LuxEngine LED upgrades were out before Reefi or Quanta were even a thing. But, like I said previously... The innovation seems to happening first with the "little guys". Some of the big name companies are starting to catch on, while others don't seem to care.
It's all good for those of us paying attention, though.
Corolling
New Member
The design of the Reefi has been around. I don’t know if Daniel was the sole creator, but an identical body and lense layout was around many years ago.You can't leave Tim (Luxdium) out of that conversation. The first LuxEngine LED upgrades were out before Reefi or Quanta were even a thing. But, like I said previously... The innovation seems to happening first with the "little guys". Some of the big name companies are starting to catch on, while others don't seem to care.
It's all good for those of us paying attention, though.
OutColdCRNA
Valuable Member
I am debating on lighting a new 8’x2’x2’ 240. I’m on the fence with the direction I want to take. Any of the quanta users pleased with the use of solely quanta bars? Looking at the par graph I’m thinking either 8 or 10 4’ bars. Looking for feedback from those who have been using the pro bars alone to light their tanks. Mine will be mixed reef with acros up top. Thanks!
Big E
Valuable Member
I not sure on your timetable but the 4' quanta blue meso pros have been sold out for a long time.
Controllable bars from him are in the works, so If you are sold on using them I'd wait for the new version.
I’ve been running 3 Quanta Pros on my 90 for 2 yrs now. Love them, and so do my coral.
2 Meso Blues.
1 Reef Crest
I am about to be upgrading to a 150 (5x2x2).
Wanting to add one more bar. I know the Reef Crests are out of stock, debating between an OG Pop or a Tropic Sun.
Afraid the OG Pop with the 2 Mesos will be too blue, and afraid adding the Tropic Sun will be too white.
Thoughts?
2 Meso Blues.
1 Reef Crest
I am about to be upgrading to a 150 (5x2x2).
Wanting to add one more bar. I know the Reef Crests are out of stock, debating between an OG Pop or a Tropic Sun.
Afraid the OG Pop with the 2 Mesos will be too blue, and afraid adding the Tropic Sun will be too white.
Thoughts?
minus9
5000 Club Member
For a future upgrade I was going with 4 Meso blues and 3 tropic suns. I don’t think one tropic sun will be too white. I think way too many people shy away from white light to the corals detriment. Plus, fish look amazing under more “natural” lighting. The Helix version should be out soon. I’m still waiting to hear an official release and all of the specs. @Lousybreed any news you can share?
