Reefbreeders or Reef Radiance

srva80xx · Feb 4, 2015

Going to be buying lights for the new tank in the next 2 weeks. Its a 6' 135g w/ canopy

Which would you recommend I go with (3) DM-165p+ ($690) or (2) 32" photons ($950) and why?

There is a a decent cost difference between those but im not sure that (3) DM-165p+ will be enough.

The tank has a small plastic center brace with a large, about 14"-16" glass center brace.

joekool · Feb 4, 2015

I have three 155 lights from rr which are now 165. They work perfect for my tank however I did modify them some with changing out some LEDs. For the money you can't buy a more well rounded light. I have a 210 display so you would be fine with three.

The only issue I see with rr is that they don't keep a full inventory on a few types of lights and some orders take some time to get. Also they are having app issues with the 165+ when using apple products. At this point in the game you would think they could hold a reasonable inventory of product to ship out immediately when ordered. I have been waiting for promised parts way to long so I pretty much have wrote them off. Still a great choice as they are the most well rounded lights for the money. I don't even use more than 60% power and I grow SPS mostly.

I used too boast about reef radiance lights to everyone because I'm very happy with them. Now I'm not doing that!

Reef breeders are very similar but reefradiance has a better spectrum stock. You could just order different LEDs from reef breeders as I did for a $1.50 each and change it up the way you want them to be.

Also it's worth checking out ocean revive too.

Pm me if you need more help.
I also have a thread on modding these lights if that interests you

Shep · Feb 4, 2015

I had the RB value fixture over my mixed 20 and had amazing growth on all of my corals. Never had any issues with it and it still works great after a few years of constant use.

joekool · Feb 4, 2015

Oh the center brace. You may want two bigger lights then instead of three. I believe that rr has those larger sizes but I think those are the ones they don't keep on the shelf or in stock much but buy when they get enough orders. Just speaking based on other thread were people were waiting weeks to get those lights.

srva80xx · Feb 4, 2015

thanks for all the input so far.. I was thinking the same thing about larger lights vs the 16"ers, (2) 32" should be perfect

I too have seen post where it takes forever to get their lights or whatnot.. This is a new tank I'm setting up and I'm not looking to wait 2-3 months to get them. (**** I don't want to wait 2 weeks like they're website says) I saw a post today that someone was still waiting on their order from Nov 20.. not happening for me.

I've already emailed Logan at RB and he said it should only take 2-3 days if he has them in stock. Maybe I will discuss with him about changing out some colors.. I just don't know enough to know what colors to change to... any help there would be greatly appreciated

srva80xx · Feb 4, 2015

joekool said:
Pm me if you need more help.
I also have a thread on modding these lights if that interests you

Inbox is full

joekool · Feb 4, 2015

I think the one from November was just waiting for the iPhone app not the light. I believe in that thread it was about the app not working on apple products on the 165+ models and I think he already had the light. But anyways. Sounds like its time to hire more people to get things done over at RR you can't do everything yourself.

joekool · Feb 4, 2015

I'm not going to go into that about Rick because proof is in the pudding. It will work itself out in the long run. Whomever provides the best customer services will prevail as the leader.

srva80xx · Feb 4, 2015

You guys have made my mind up.. Logan @ RB responded to me right away. I'm going that route

Joekool.. Id like to discuss what changes to the colors you think I should make on the RB. I tried to PM you but your inbox is full and cant accept any more messages

joekool · Feb 4, 2015

You can get your lights factory direct if you want too. It's just easier to buy local.

I think the key to being successful in the lighting game is that you should only sell lights you keep in inventory and you should provide excellent customer service. If you have the lights for sale on your site you should have the inventory or you should say that these lights are not a stock item and they take x number of weeks to deliver and you better deliver on time. In fact you should hold a number in inventory of such light for emergency incase there is a delay in shipment by factory's. Also don't sell lights that aren't fully capable and put up posts on how we are working on the problem. How about you don't sell them and just wait until they are ready.

Sorry got on a small rant.

I can help with lighting specifics. I'll look at the rb lights and give an opinion just what would work for me but not at what you have to do. I'm not a pusher just a sharer.

srva80xx · Feb 4, 2015

joekool said:
You can get your lights factory direct if you want too. It's just easier to buy local.

I think the key to being successful in the lighting game is that you should only sell lights you keep in inventory and you should provide excellent customer service. If you have the lights for sale on your site you should have the inventory or you should say that these lights are not a stock item and they take x number of weeks to deliver and you better deliver on time. In fact you should hold a number in inventory of such light for emergency incase there is a delay in shipment by factory's. Also don't sell lights that aren't fully capable and put up posts on how we are working on the problem. How about you don't sell them and just wait until they are ready.

Sorry got on a small rant.

I can help with lighting specifics. I'll look at the rb lights and give an opinion just what would work for me but not at what you have to do. I'm not a pusher just a sharer.

Thanks!! Please do share.. and FYI im going to be supplementing these with 2 bulb 60" t5's on ea side.. any input on those is welcome as well but it will b a month or so before that happens

srva80xx · Feb 4, 2015

and what do you mean factory direct? links?

joekool · Feb 4, 2015

I don't feel that supplementing with fluorescent lights is necessary especially if you have the right spectrum of lights. Look at many of the tanks on here that are amazing like TJ's reef all led with crazy growth and color.

My inbox is empty.

I'm checking out the rb now

srva80xx · Feb 4, 2015

the vote Is 7-0 now

joekool · Feb 4, 2015

Just my opinion but I would on the 32"photon from reef breeders do
Instead of all those 4500k whites this is what I would do.
4 4500k
6 7500k
12 1400k
Change half of the red 660nm to 630nm

This is how it comes stock 1; 48 450nm royal blue. Channel 2; 22 4500K neutral whites, 10 480nm blues, 4 660nm reds, and 12 410-420nm violets. Channel 3; 3 480nm blue moonlights, for a total of 99 3 watt

What do you think TJ's Reef waiting for Todd to chime in.

The rest is perfect. Not sure if they change them for you but it's easy to do and if the don't its only $1.50 each for the LEDs on there site which is were I bought mine.

They might work fine for you and you can always mod in the future. But if you don't want to deal with the whole t5 thing than this is what I suggest

srva80xx · Feb 4, 2015

joekool said:
I don't feel that supplementing with fluorescent lights is necessary especially if you have the right spectrum of lights. Look at many of the tanks on here that are amazing like TJ's reef all led with crazy growth and color.

My inbox is empty.

I'm checking out the rb now

Still wont let me you PM you.. says your storage is full

ebulldog · Feb 4, 2015

Another vote for the Reef Breeders. The Phonton series is programmable ( sunrise/sunset feature ) and you do not have to worry about a phone app that may or may not work. Plus the response time with reef Breeders is amazing. Responded to my email the same day and answered all of my questions. Plus they have a schedule you can download for the unit to have your tank adjust to going from your current lighting system to LED's so you don't bleach out corals.

srva80xx · Feb 4, 2015

joekool said:
Just my opinion but I would on the 32"photon from reef breeders do
Instead of all those 4500k whites this is what I would do.
4 4500k
6 7500k
12 1400k
Change half of the red 660nm to 630nm

This is how it comes stock 1; 48 450nm royal blue. Channel 2; 22 4500K neutral whites, 10 480nm blues, 4 660nm reds, and 12 410-420nm violets. Channel 3; 3 480nm blue moonlights, for a total of 99 3 watt

What do you think @TJ's Reef waiting for Todd to chime in.

The rest is perfect. Not sure if they change them for you but it's easy to do and if the don't its only $1.50 each for the LEDs on there site which is were I bought mine.

They might work fine for you and you can always mod in the future. But if you don't want to deal with the whole t5 thing than this is what I suggest

Is there anyway you could explain a little about why you would do that?

Big Dog · Feb 4, 2015

joekool said:
Just my opinion but I would on the 32"photon from reef breeders do
Instead of all those 4500k whites this is what I would do.
4 4500k
6 7500k
12 1400k
Change half of the red 660nm to 630nm

This is how it comes stock 1; 48 450nm royal blue. Channel 2; 22 4500K neutral whites, 10 480nm blues, 4 660nm reds, and 12 410-420nm violets. Channel 3; 3 480nm blue moonlights, for a total of 99 3 watt

What do you think @TJ's Reef waiting for Todd to chime in.

The rest is perfect. Not sure if they change them for you but it's easy to do and if the don't its only $1.50 each for the LEDs on there site which is were I bought mine.

They might work fine for you and you can always mod in the future. But if you don't want to deal with the whole t5 thing than this is what I suggest

Hmmm, I ask Logan yesterday about the whites because I had concern and need 14K for corals. Here is his response (answered within a couple hours)!

Hi Greg, the white LEDs are 4500K, but the overall color is about 14K. We use 4500K neutral whites because they have more green/yellow in them, which fills in the spectrum much better than cool whites.

The optics are 90 degree as a default. I would recommend hanging the lights 8-10" off of the water, or removing the optics for more spread.