Opinions and recommendations

[Yesevil123]

Okay so, I have 1 nicrew led gen 1 150w light and i wasn't sure if I can use this light and the new gen one at the same time, would it be compatible in the sense of lighting specs? I bought the nicrew in November because I was preparing for the 55 gallon. But they discontinued it. I do not have a remote for it either. So is it worth setting it up? Should I just get 2 of the second gen nicrew lights instead and sell my first gen? It's BRAND new, opened the box and stuff but never used.

 

[exnisstech]

Nothing wrong with mixing lights IME

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Probably couldn’t sell it without losing some money. TBH these lights are probably not going to be your last lights you buy. But the will work. If you are on a budget, just use them and figure out what you do want in a light, so down the road you can taylor your lighting to your needs.

 

[Yesevil123]

Honestly, I'd rather just get the ones I should have per say. I'm open to like all and any suggestion. I want my corals and fish to thrive. Right now I'm using the coralife seascape LED. But it's not the one that just came out It's last years.

Probably couldn’t sell it without losing some money. TBH these lights are probably not going to be your last lights you buy. But the will work. If you are on a budget, just use them and figure out what you do want in a light, so down the road you can taylor your lighting to your needs.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Lighting is very subjective, It depends on what corals you have and also what corals you want to graduate to. Personally I am a big fan of the AI blade/Radion combo. But that can be expensive. The reason I do like it, is the blanket of coverage I get, plus controllability of the app for both lights. Plus the output is where I want to be for my SPS. There are so many options that will grow coral, I can’t say there are no bad lights, but most will do the basic job of growing corals. Other things you have to consider is quality, reliability, ease of use and spectrum.

 

[SliceGolfer]

If the Gen 1 is new in box, never opened, can you return it?

 

[Yesevil123]

Lighting is very subjective, It depends on what corals you have and also what corals you want to graduate to. Personally I am a big fan of the AI blade/Radion combo. But that can be expensive. The reason I do like it, is the blanket of coverage I get, plus controllability of the app for both lights. Plus the output is where I want to be for my SPS. There are so many options that will grow coral, I can’t say there are no bad lights, but most will do the basic job of growing corals. Other things you have to consider is quality, reliability, ease of use and spectrum.

So should I basically put a list together of everything that is and will be in thank and compare what can and what can't go together in a sense?

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

So should I basically put a list together of everything that is and will be in thank and compare what can and what can't go together in a sense?

Yes in a way, make a loose outline of your goals. Not that it will stay the same, because as you grow so does your challenges in reefing. But try to stay versatile in your equipment choices that won’t inhibit your growth. Remember also there is plenty of good quality used equipment out there. I would not be able to afford what I do if there wasn’t. Plus do not forget open box, clearance and sales etc.

 

[Uncle99]

That light don’t change much.
Nothing wrong mixing lights, I mix three completely different ones.
It’s PAR, spread and spectrum that counts.

But it likely easier to by two of the same.

 

[Yesevil123]

Yes in a way, make a loose outline of your goals. Not that it will stay the same, because as you grow so does your challenges in reefing. But try to stay versatile in your equipment choices that won’t inhibit your growth. Remember also there is plenty of good quality used equipment out there. I would not be able to afford what I do if there wasn’t. Plus do not forget open box, clearance and sales etc.

Honestly, for the 5 tanks I've had, I've ALWAYS just bought new stuff regardless of the quality. I never know, I'm afraid of buying something used and it not working and I'm out like 150+ depending on what it is. Open box and sales. Those are my go to, to be honest.

 

[Yesevil123]

That light don’t change much.
Nothing wrong mixing lights, I mix three completely different ones.
It’s PAR, spread and spectrum that counts.

But it likely easier to by two of the same.

Okay. Can you recommend any PAR's that are accurate but not majorly expensive

 

[Yesevil123]

That light don’t change much.
Nothing wrong mixing lights, I mix three completely different ones.
It’s PAR, spread and spectrum that counts.

But it likely easier to by two of the same.

Yeah. I would prefer to have 2 of the same lights. It just sucks that I already bought the nicrew 150w and it's already discontinued. I can't even find a remote for it.

 

[Yesevil123]

If the Gen 1 is new in box, never opened, can you return it?

It was Amazon, so possibly. I bought it in November though so I dont know if it's over the return date. I'd have to look.

 

[Uncle99]

Okay. Can you recommend any PAR's that are accurate but not majorly expensive

I use Nicrew lights for years.
ViparSpectra good as well.