Reef breederd Photon V2 led lights

Johnny M · Mar 23, 2018

Has anyone used these lights on their reef tanks? I'm asking because these lights look really good and about 1/2 the price on higher end lighting like kessil ap700 or maxspect x or hydra 52' , etc... 99% of reviews on website are 5 out of 5 stars. And they say WiFi controller supplied is very easy to use.
It sounds as if they are almost too good to be true. I wonder if these lights are so great how come major retailers - BRS, Marine Depot, and others don't carry these lights. Any problems/negative reviews for them?

Brew12 · Mar 23, 2018

Johnny M said:
Has anyone used these lights on their reef tanks? I'm asking because these lights look really good and about 1/2 the price on higher end lighting like kessil ap700 or maxspect x or hydra 52' , etc... 99% of reviews on website are 5 out of 5 stars. And they say WiFi controller supplied is very easy to use.
It sounds as if they are almost too good to be true. I wonder if these lights are so great how come major retailers - BRS, Marine Depot, and others don't carry these lights. Any problems/negative reviews for them?

I have used them before.

They are very nice lights. The only thing I didn't care for was programming them. The remote is a bit clunky and it takes quite awhile to either program them or change their program. If you use more than one they don't link up so the times can get a little off. Normally only a few seconds but it can be annoying. They also don't ramp. Any changes you make come in jumps. Not a huge deal, but I do like the slower more subtle ramping.

If you want someone with more experience for their opinion you should talk to Adam at @Battlecorals. I believe he uses them.

Fishfinder · Mar 23, 2018

I use them. I like the lights. They have a lot of power. They do not ramp, it is 1 hour incremental programming. But I dont mind it so much. it beats the cost of other lights for the ramping feature. They are more than enough for any coral or clam.

Johnny M · Mar 23, 2018

Brew12 said:
I have used them before.

They are very nice lights. The only thing I didn't care for was programming them. The remote is a bit clunky and it takes quite awhile to either program them or change their program. If you use more than one they don't link up so the times can get a little off. Normally only a few seconds but it can be annoying. They also don't ramp. Any changes you make come in jumps. Not a huge deal, but I do like the slower more subtle ramping.

If you want someone with more experience for their opinion you should talk to Adam at @Battlecorals. I believe he uses them.

Thanks for the info.

Johnny M · Mar 23, 2018

Fishfinder said:
I use them. I like the lights. They have a lot of power. They do not ramp, it is 1 hour incremental programming. But I dont mind it so much. it beats the cost of other lights for the ramping feature. They are more than enough for any coral or clam.

Thanks

hart24601 · Mar 23, 2018

I have also used them and liked them quite a bit. The 1hr ramps really didn't bother me at all and my two synced well. The programming does take a while but then was pretty easy to adjust although I am a more set and forget person.

Johnny M · Mar 23, 2018

hart24601 said:
I have also used them and liked them quite a bit. The 1hr ramps really didn't bother me at all and my two synced well. The programming does take a while but then was pretty easy to adjust although I am a more set and forget person.

Thanks for ur opinion.
So I guess there is no "acclimation mode" program with the remote? Do u think the Kessil AP700 with it's phone app and easier programing with more features would be better ( even though it cost about twice as much)?

Fishfinder · Mar 23, 2018

features are for people. simple on/off is all that corals need

hart24601 · Mar 23, 2018

Fishfinder said:
features are for people. simple on/off is all that corals need

Very true! However reef tanks are for people, what corals really need to for people to leave them alone if we are really getting specific!

Fishfinder · Mar 23, 2018

Hahahaha so true

Fishfinder · Mar 23, 2018

What I should have said is..... I've gone to just on/off with my lights. They seemed to improve when I stopped a 3 hour ramp up/down

vetteguy53081 · Mar 24, 2018

They are decent and although pricey are effective for coral growth.
I myself prefer the SB Reef 32" as they program easier and have more blues than photon.

Dburr1014 · Mar 24, 2018

I use them too. I found a data base for excel to program them. Well, to get the numbers for programming. It is all done manually. Once it's done it saves in the light... Even if the power goes out.
What I don't like is the remote. It doesn't hold a charge for long. Maybe a week.

Johnny M · Mar 25, 2018

vetteguy53081 said:
They are decent and although pricey are effective for coral growth.
I myself prefer the SB Reef 32" as they program easier and have more blues than photon.

Reef breeders look nice & cost less but led modules don' last that long. I'm not wasting my time buying them & after a few yrs have to buy new modules & solder them in. That's ridiculous.

Dburr1014 · Mar 25, 2018

Johnny M said:
Reef breeders look nice & cost less but led modules don' last that long. I'm not wasting my time buying them & after a few yrs have to buy new modules & solder them in. That's ridiculous.

How long do they last? I don't have a par meter to check. I have had mine 3 years.