Smatfarm, or Nicrew?

[mlfish]

I'm just getting into this hobby again, and was looking for a good budget light. Smatfarm, and Nicrew seem to be the best budget lights, which is better? Also, my tank is 18x18x14 and I'm only looking into softies and LPS. Thanks

 

[lil sumpin]

Maybe also consider noopsyche k7 mini or even the pro

 

[DIYreefer]

I have a bunch of the nicrews and like them a lot. I have 16 total that have been running for over 2 years now and haven't had any issues with any of them.

 

[Aaron75]

Noopsyche would be my recommendation. Full wifi control, good shimmer and great par. If you buy the equivalent Nicrew and controller I'm pretty sure the Noopsyche comes out cheaper.

 

[danimal1211]

Here is a great read https://humble.fish/community/index.php?threads/telegrahams-lighting-tests.5719/

 

[mlfish]

Noopsyche would be my recommendation. Full wifi control, good shimmer and great par. If you buy the equivalent Nicrew and controller I'm pretty sure the Noopsyche comes out cheaper.

Maybe also consider noopsyche k7 mini or even the pro

I was looking at the noopsyche, but it seems to have a pretty bad app to control it, and the light distribution seems pretty bad, would there be ways to offset these?

 

[Ironwill723]

I would go nicrew. They use the same basic controller as Kessil.

 

[Buddy1234]

I have the nicrew 100 with the controller. Perfect for your size tank. Good bang for the buck. Controller isn't real robust. Can only control blue and white. Would be nice if there was more channels to adjust.

 

[The new fish on the block]

I was looking at the noopsyche, but it seems to have a pretty bad app to control it, and the light distribution seems pretty bad, would there be ways to offset these?

They have a diffuser you can by for the k7 pro( not sure about the mini), and also I agree the app is severely lacking user friendliness. That being said, @telegraham has made a profile generator that makes the setup process of the light a breeze!

here is the link: https://beananimal.com/tools/noo-psyche-k7-profile-generator/


After you create your schedule, just scan the QR code and it uploads the schedule to the app. I wish it was more like AI's app, but Im ballin' on a budget with my current build so I went with the k7 pro, and so far I'm not disappointed. Hope this helps!

 

[exnisstech]

Another vote for noopsyche K7. Ran 6 over this 72x24x24" 180

They did so well I moved them over to my new 84x30x25 tank. They'll grow anything IME

Great bang for the buck light. The app isn't perfect but I use 4 apps for lights none of them are. The biggest issue is wifi can be difficult at times but I just connect using AP mode. Once the lights are set I don't usually change them much anyhow.

 

[ZachariahBeanz]

Another vote for noopsyche K7. Ran 6 over this 72x24x24" 180

They did so well I moved them over to my new 84x30x25 tank. They'll grow anything IME

Great bang for the buck light. The app isn't perfect but I use 4 apps for lights none of them are. The biggest issue is wifi can be difficult at times but I just connect using AP mode. Once the lights are set I don't usually change them much anyhow.

They have a diffuser you can by for the k7 pro( not sure about the mini), and also I agree the app is severely lacking user friendliness. That being said, @telegraham has made a profile generator that makes the setup process of the light a breeze!

here is the link: https://beananimal.com/tools/noo-psyche-k7-profile-generator/


After you create your schedule, just scan the QR code and it uploads the schedule to the app. I wish it was more like AI's app, but Im ballin' on a budget with my current build so I went with the k7 pro, and so far I'm not disappointed. Hope this helps!

I’m actually in the same boat as OP, I have pretty much the same tank, do you think I should get the noop mini, or the pro?

 

[jermzisurmom]

I have a bunch of the nicrews and like them a lot. I have 16 total that have been running for over 2 years now and haven't had any issues with any of them.

What ones do u have? I have the 150 and I love it! I want another...

 

[stewy14]

They have a diffuser you can by for the k7 pro( not sure about the mini), and also I agree the app is severely lacking user friendliness. That being said, @telegraham has made a profile generator that makes the setup process of the light a breeze!

here is the link: https://beananimal.com/tools/noo-psyche-k7-profile-generator/


After you create your schedule, just scan the QR code and it uploads the schedule to the app. I wish it was more like AI's app, but Im ballin' on a budget with my current build so I went with the k7 pro, and so far I'm not disappointed. Hope this helps!

+1 for k7 mini, they do have a defuser too, and, u dont really need the app, just search up best settings or something, and it'll be there, pretty straightforward

 

[Silverking]

Viperspectra is another good option. I have been running them for years with good results. 150.00 on amazon

 

[The new fish on the block]

I’m actually in the same boat as OP, I have pretty much the same tank, do you think I should get the noop mini, or the pro?

I would probably go with the mini for that size tank. I have the pro over my Biocube 32.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Another vote for noopsyche K7. Ran 6 over this 72x24x24" 180

They did so well I moved them over to my new 84x30x25 tank. They'll grow anything IME

Great bang for the buck light. The app isn't perfect but I use 4 apps for lights none of them are. The biggest issue is wifi can be difficult at times but I just connect using AP mode. Once the lights are set I don't usually change them much anyhow.

Wow!! Beautiful reef tanks!! Great job!!

 

[SliceGolfer]

They have a diffuser you can by for the k7 pro( not sure about the mini), and also I agree the app is severely lacking user friendliness. That being said, @telegraham has made a profile generator that makes the setup process of the light a breeze!

here is the link: https://beananimal.com/tools/noo-psyche-k7-profile-generator/


After you create your schedule, just scan the QR code and it uploads the schedule to the app. I wish it was more like AI's app, but Im ballin' on a budget with my current build so I went with the k7 pro, and so far I'm not disappointed. Hope this helps!

Gentle correction. Beananimal created the profile generator.

Noo-Psyche K7 Pro III QR Code Profile Generator

I built this... https://beananimal.com/tools/noo-psyche-k7-profile-generator/ Should be much easier to use (as compared to the noopsyche app) for creating schedules. It works - Needless to say - use it at your own risk. Use a desktop or tablet - too much going on for a pleasant mobile...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[exnisstech]

I’m actually in the same boat as OP, I have pretty much the same tank, do you think I should get the noop mini, or the pro?

I think a k7 would cover the tank very well. Could mount it high and run it low if needed. That said I have no experience with the mini

 

[ZachariahBeanz]

I would probably go with the mini for that size tank. I have the pro over my Biocube 32.

I was looking at the mini, and it seems to only be 60w, is this enough?

 

[ZachariahBeanz]

I think a k7 would cover the tank very well. Could mount it high and run it low if needed. That said I have no experience with the mini

How high would you mount it, 12”, 16”?