Switching LED Lights

Simon Lipscombe · Jul 9, 2019

I'm switching lighting on my 24G mixed reef from a Kessil AP700 to an Orphek Atlantik v4 Compact on Friday, primarily because of my concerns about shading my Acros long term. What's the best way to go about this?

I'm running the Kessil about 6 inches off the surface of the water, maxing out at 40% intensity on the Ocean Blue 2 setting with a bit of red and green mixed in.

I've been getting really good growth out of all my Acros running this setting, and I know that any sort of lighting switch will cause stress to the corals and I'm only really used to gradually adjusting the lighting schedule to not shock the corals, so changing lights entirely is something I definitely need a bit of help with. I know I should be running the Orphek on low power initially, but does anyone have suggestions for settings on the channels? Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

madweazl · Jul 9, 2019

Do you actually have a problem or do you believe you're going to have a problem in the future? If shading is a concern, I wouldn't look to another LED to solve it; supplemental T5s would be a better choice (and less expensive). Don't create a problem if there isn't one.

CivicS14 · Jul 9, 2019

I agree with the above. If you want to help with shadowing, add t5s. Best thing I ever did with my setup.

Simon Lipscombe · Jul 9, 2019

madweazl said:
Do you actually have a problem or do you believe you're going to have a problem in the future? If shading is a concern, I wouldn't look to another LED to solve it; supplemental T5s would be a better choice (and less expensive). Don't create a problem if there isn't one.

I am getting shading issues on some of my SPS already, but not too bad. I also like the wider spectrum of the Orphek. I already own the Orphek, it's running on a softie/LPS tank so I was just going to switch the lights around. I did think about opting for T5s, but I don't have a good way to mount them over the tank and I also don't really like the look they give the tank.

mtraylor · Jul 10, 2019

How do you like your orphek compared to kessel? Colors, etc. Any disco effect?

I just ordered a v4 for my frag tank and plan on replacing my mitras on my display if they work real well. My idea now is to maybe take a mitras down and put up the v4 while i get the frag tank ready. That way i get direct comparison.

Since i have mitras with great spread and similar power/par, im thinking i will set it up with similar power levels and go for it. A little increase in par is not bad with good spread. Im not much on acclimation. If lights have good spread then you shouldnt have to be worried about it.

The kessels have good spread so if the par levels are close then you shouldnt have much to worry about i would think. If its a big jump on par then i would start the new light around that level then increase accordingly

Once i get mine i will post my results.

Simon Lipscombe · Jul 10, 2019

mtraylor said:
How do you like your orphek compared to kessel? Colors, etc. Any disco effect?

I just ordered a v4 for my frag tank and plan on replacing my mitras on my display if they work real well. My idea now is to maybe take a mitras down and put up the v4 while i get the frag tank ready. That way i get direct comparison.

Since i have mitras with great spread and similar power/par, im thinking i will set it up with similar power levels and go for it. A little increase in par is not bad with good spread. Im not much on acclimation. If lights have good spread then you shouldnt have to be worried about it.

The kessels have good spread so if the par levels are close then you shouldnt have much to worry about i would think. If its a big jump on par then i would start the new light around that level then increase accordingly

Once i get mine i will post my results.

Both my Kessil and my Orphek are fantastic lights, you will definitely see a little disco ball with the Orphek, but not nearly as bad as on lights like an AI or a Black Box. Coral coloration is something I'm not too sure on yet, the tank I've got the Orphek over currently doesn't have a huge variety of coral coloration. Once I get the Orphek over my main display I'll have much better input there, but as far as the tank it's on now goes it definitely brings the colors out of the corals!

mtraylor · Jul 10, 2019

Ok good to know. I will be comparing to my mitras so I want to see how they stack up. The mitras are blended with no disco effect what so ever, so when I get them side by side we shall see. I just took some pre pictures of some corals so I can get a pre and post after a couple weeks.

mtraylor · Jul 10, 2019

Look what I just got ;Woot

mshur · Jul 10, 2019

Following

What is the reason of switching from Mitras to Orphek ?

mtraylor · Jul 10, 2019

I purchased the Orphek light for a frag tank. I have 5 ghl mitras 6300 over my main display, but my frag tank is no where ready for the light. I decided to try the Orphek instead of a GHL 7206 over my frag tank because of the specs for the light, the spread, size, and all of the channels used for full spectrum. Frag tank is 36" x 24" and the one Orphek should fill the bill. I'm real excited to see it work.

Since my frag tank is a work in progress its a perfect opportunity to compare the Orphek to mitras over the display. I will make a comparison between the lights to see if I will switch them out. At the moment, it will be a trail for the display until its final spot on the frag tank is ready. If I really like it, I will replace the ones on my display as well. We shall see.

From first observation of the light. Its built sturdy and to last. It looks like a piece of jewelry or art. Its a gorgeous light! So from an aesthetic point of view its great. The size will cover my main display from front to back, so there is no way there would ever be an area with no light.

Anyway. I will post as I move on here and in my build thread. First i need to figure out a way to temporary hang the light over the display so I can start comparing them.