Viparspectra 165w Thoughts

Marty Fleskes · Apr 17, 2020

I know that this light has had a few threads on it so far, but I wanted to post another one to get some current advice/thoughts on the light. I have a 90g reef tank that is a bit of an an odd dimension. It is 63" long X 13" deep X 22 1/2 " tall (surface to sand). I got the setup free from a friend and have been upgrading it slowly. The initial light he had with it was very underpowered. I have purchased the Current Orbit Pro 48" light (the older model and not the IC one). It did fine but the PAR is not that great (and I don't have a PAR meter to get a reading - or any place to rent one). I had purchased this on eBay so it had hours on it. Now half of one of the strips is not working. I'd love to get one of the higher end lights (AI, Kessil, radion, etc) but I can't justify the cost (and can't hide the purchase from my wife

). This is a reef tank and I would be doing softies and LPS, and wouldn't mind trying a few SPS. Because of the height of the tank I could only get the rock work so high, so there is about 8-9" of open water from the surface to the top of the rock. I will need to replace the light given it is dying on me. This light has good specs on PAR. It doesn't have ramp up or ramp down, or any "features" but I could live without those.

I'd love people's thoughts on this light. I would need two of the 165's to cover the area. They are $120 each on Amazon. Thanks to all!

lilgrounchuck · Apr 17, 2020

I don't have the vipar, but I have a Mars Aqua and they're very similar (might even come out of the same factory) but I think the Vipar has UV diodes. It's a great light with a ton of power. You'll be able to grow anything you want with these things. The Mars doesn't have those features either, but I built out a reef pi and get those extra features through controlling it with the pi.

You're right to abandon the Current. I started my tank with one and even with everything working, it wasn't enough to get things to grow.

Uncle99 · Apr 17, 2020

I have two Visparspectra 165w lights, three years, push a ton of PAR, and super, super quiet.
This is a 48” long, so you may need three for coverage.
I would have used three but I have a brace in the middle, so we cover the Centre with two Aqueon Halos.
Nothing fancy, no WiFi, but comes with remote and timer for both blue/violet and the white, green red channel. Only complaint is the clock gains a couple of minutes per month.

lapin · Apr 17, 2020

Visparspectra 165w lights are very good lights and will grow corals in your tank

Marty Fleskes · Apr 17, 2020

Uncle99 said:
I have two Visparspectra 165w lights, three years, push a ton of PAR, and super, super quiet.
This is a 48” long, so you may need three for coverage.
I would have used three but I have a brace in the middle, so we cover the Centre with two Aqueon Halos.
Nothing fancy, no WiFi, but comes with remote and timer for both blue/violet and the white, green red channel. Only complaint is the clock gains a couple of minutes per month.

I have the same issue with the center brace. i see the coverage is up to 30” with core at 24”. If I could get 48 or so core coverage that might be enough. The 6-8“ on each end doesn’t have any coral.

CincyFin · Apr 17, 2020

I have them and like them.

Uncle99 · Apr 17, 2020

Try that, should be OK, you can always add another.
They push a ton of PAR, so go slow and start low, Visparspectra recommendations in the box are reasonable.
Best of luck, stay safe

BullyBee · Apr 17, 2020

How much are they each? AI prime’s control app is on another level.

George81 · Apr 17, 2020

I have 3 over my 60” 120 gallon, at 8” above the tank. 8” below the water surface at 60 blue and 20 white I’m getting par readings between 350-420ish. I posted my par readings not too long ago on another viparspectra thread. I don’t know if you can look up my post history or search the thread.
I don’t quite remember the exact number but it’s between that range. Sps frags seem happy enough.
my only real complaint is the clocks go out of sync frequently. By like 15 minutes between lights. They need constant reprogramming. It’s not hard but annoying.

User · Apr 17, 2020

i have one over a 20g long coral QT tank. I picked it up after i got 3 mars aqua for my display.

I like the light. as others have said- great PAR, i only ever go up to 40% blues since i have a shallow QT. 1% whites since i hate windex

The only thing i hate is that once you set it up with the timer- theres no manual override. meaning, if you want to flip to just whites for a quick algae/crud check, or take pics, you have to click to select the channel then move the dial. Then- if you dont constantly move the dial back and forth, it resets back to the timer values in about 5 seconds. i really wish they had a manual mode at a predetermined value that you could just toggle.

it loses about 6 minutes over the course of a month, and having two or more would have your tank doing weird lighting effects if you dont adjust as a matter of routine.

no dimming, which is a bummer. I've had a couple mollies in my QT startle at first light.

fwiw im about to pick up 4 Noopsyches and sell on my 3 mars aqua (year old) for my display. havent been overly pleased with the MA on a 180 6x2x2. While its great you can 'piggyback' the power supplies and adjustment is simple, i just dont think they have enough power for what i need. plus the disco from the reds and greens is pretty pronounced.

keeping the VP165 for the QT. But have plans to get another two Noops for the frag and grow out systems once im at a point i need to cut colonies

User · Apr 17, 2020

BullyBee said:
How much are they each? AI prime’s control app is on another level.

same price as a noopsyche k7 pro II but they dont have ramping and only 2 channels. great light, but a little outclassed at that pricepoint

Marty Fleskes · Apr 17, 2020

BullyBee said:
How much are they each? AI prime’s control app is on another level.

Vipar are $120 each. I have an AI Prime on my nano and love the controls. They are awesome.

BullyBee · Apr 17, 2020

Marty Fleskes said:
Vipar are $120 each. I have an AI Prime on my nano and love the controls. They are awesome.

How many do you need? I’m not asking because I’m some guru. Hell I don’t even reef (yet), I’m a fish guy. But I do have a lot of experience with the AI in fresh water and I have to tell you, going from an AI to something that isn’t takes some getting used to. It’s like you become spoiled. I can’t imagine not being able to control things.

i still vote for the Prime SOL.

cvrle1 · Apr 17, 2020

This thread is ongoing and has constant updates:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/viparspectra-165watt-anyone-using-these.317612/page-21

Marty Fleskes · Apr 17, 2020

BullyBee said:
How many do you need? I’m not asking because I’m some guru. Hell I don’t even reef (yet), I’m a fish guy. But I do have a lot of experience with the AI in fresh water and I have to tell you, going from an AI to something that isn’t takes some getting used to. It’s like you become spoiled. I can’t imagine not being able to control things.

i still vote for the Prime SOL.

I need two, maybe 3. Not going from AI. I have that on my nano and love it. Going from Current orbit to these. I’d love the AI’s on this tank. Just can’t justify the $.

xxkenny90xx · Apr 18, 2020

63"? You'll want 3 if it's a reef tank. 2 will work if your on a budget but I don't think you'll be happy with it. Have you looked at reefbreeders? They are a step up in price and quality but much cheaper than the high end lights. I've got a reefbreeders v2+ on my 60" tank. Sb reef has some nice options too.

Marty Fleskes · Apr 18, 2020

Uncle99 said:
Try that, should be OK, you can always add another.
They push a ton of PAR, so go slow and start low, Visparspectra recommendations in the box are reasonable.
Best of luck, stay safe

Thanks. I have read a lot where people have the blues way up eventually but the whites at 1%. Will definitely start out slow. It looks like they are weird to set but once you figure it out seems easy enough.

Marty Fleskes · Apr 18, 2020

xxkenny90xx said:
63"? You'll want 3 if it's a reef tank. 2 will work if your on a budget but I don't think you'll be happy with it. Have you looked at reefbreeders? They are a step up in price and quality but much cheaper than the high end lights. I've got a reefbreeders v2+ on my 60" tank. Sb reef has some nice options too.

Yeah it is 63". It's a strange tank actually and not what I would buy for a 90g now that I've worked with it for a couple of years. It gives up depth front to back for length it seems. That's nice for swimming area but has been a nightmare for lighting. I did order two of the 165's. I'll look at the ones you mention as well. I will start with these two and will probably order another one in the end.

Marty Fleskes · Apr 18, 2020

CincyFin said:
I have them and like them.

Looks great. I will be able to hang them pretty easily over the tank.

Marty Fleskes · Apr 18, 2020

Uncle99 said:
I have two Visparspectra 165w lights, three years, push a ton of PAR, and super, super quiet.
This is a 48” long, so you may need three for coverage.
I would have used three but I have a brace in the middle, so we cover the Centre with two Aqueon Halos.
Nothing fancy, no WiFi, but comes with remote and timer for both blue/violet and the white, green red channel. Only complaint is the clock gains a couple of minutes per month.

Great looking tank! What are those center lights?