SO many lights, what to choose? 84"L x 24"W x 31"D tank

[Maui The God]

Hello all, after a good sump conversation with the helpful people here im moving onto lights.

Background info/plans i have experience with aqua illumination lights and the mobius app for ecotech but honestly dont want to pay the cost of radions. im not an sps head. i really only plan on keeping lps and bubble tip anemones, maybe a few low level sps.

ive been reading threads and threads on here. alot of interesting stuff but ive stumbled upon the use of alibaba "knockoff" radions the A8 and other models (A8s,A8pro, X30). from what ive read theyre great and people are liking them except for the app issues. but the price! might be a risk worth trying. i guess a non obvious downfall that im curious about it the "glare". how bad is it really? either way an interesting option for the price.

the other light ive been looking at that i actually really like is the Reefi Uno 2.1. i did have a conversation with Daniel there and he gave some really good info about how many would need and mounting height options. ill post his response in a different comment.

so i am open to suggestions. the reason i ask about glare is because i will not be having a canopy. im most likely going to mounting on the wall or ceiling. pictures would also be appreciated.

 

[Maui The God]

Daniel from ReeFi about the ReeFi Uno 2.1

90° reflectors are great for open top (without canopy) because of the no side glares by sacrificing spread. For mostly LPS, I recommend 4 units and 5 to 6 units when more focused on SPS for additional overlapping coverage. I would mount them 12" above the water so each unit will have 24"x24" spread at the water surface.

120° reflectors have greater spread but will have some side glares. For mostly LPS, I recommend 3 units and 4 to 5 units when you have more SPS. Mounting height is 7" above the water for 24"x24" spread at the water surface.

The above recommended mounting height is to maximize spread and minimize light spilling out the front and back of the tank.

I recommend using 2040 Across Tank Mount and Custom Slide-on Adaptors for Uno (made for 2040) so that you can easily position the light along the 2040 aluminum rail.

 

[rtparty]

Nicrew Gen 2. 4 of the 200s is likely more than you will ever need

 

[Maui The God]

Nicrew Gen 2. 4 of the 200s is likely more than you will ever need

i see they use a controller. how is it? im watching fishofhex on youtube to get an idea

 

[rtparty]

i see they use a controller. how is it? im watching fishofhex on youtube to get an idea

You can daisy chain lights together so it makes it nice. The controller is simple and easy enough. No apps or Bluetooth or WiFi to fight with

 

[Maui The God]

You can daisy chain lights together so it makes it nice. The controller is simple and easy enough. No apps or Bluetooth or WiFi to fight with

whats the color like on these? do you have pictures?

 

[bakbay]

On a 84” tank, you’ll need a lot of light, unless you’re just going to raise fish. Given this size, you’ll need to spend on big boy sump, skimmer, wavemakers, and yes — lights. So it really depend on your budget. Double-down on 5-6 Radion G6 Pros (deep tank) will set you back $5-6k. So— perhaps go used G5s? You can also pick up used Orphek OR3 on a bargain as well.

 

[buruskeee]

Everyone has been talking about the switch to the ATI Straton Pros. I went from Radion to OF Stratons and the silence alone is worth every penny.

Carl (Caribbean I think dude) that has the 5x4 tank with a stone trim, he’s switching to Straton Pros I just saw on the new Dmitry video.

 

[Maui The God]

On a 84” tank, you’ll need a lot of light, unless you’re just going to raise fish. Given this size, you’ll need to spend on big boy sump, skimmer, wavemakers, and yes — lights. So it really depend on your budget. Double-down on 5-6 Radion G6 Pros (deep tank) will set you back $5-6k. So— perhaps go used G5s? You can also pick up used Orphek OR3 on a bargain as well.

yea big money the whole build. going to take my time and knock stuff out piece by piece. take my time with stuff, find the deals and find the budget gems where i can.

Radions has always been the go to and initial plan but buying new is sooo much. i could piece together used as i go and hunt down system tear downs and try to capitalize. now the more i look around i see these really nice lights and systems others are using. above rtpart recommended nicrew lights. ive seen alot of ReeFi lights and i like them alot. im really into lps corals and anemones but will dabble in some "low level" sps. so just gathering general thoughts as i continue to plan.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/reefi-led-uno-testing-soon.766239/post-8732659 - this post uses the ReeFi lights and looks amazing.

i haven't looked much into the Orpheks but heard alot of people like them.

 

[Michael71]

Another option for that size tank that isnt bad and almost half the price of radions may be the kessel A 500x tuna blues...they have a 36"x36"spread 24" depth reach but you can get optional reflectors that can narrow the spread and give you more light for deeper tank. Maybe you could get by with 3 of these for under 2k. Each light is 185 watts

 

[Maui The God]

Everyone has been talking about the switch to the ATI Straton Pros. I went from Radion to OF Stratons and the silence alone is worth every penny.

Carl (Caribbean I think dude) that has the 5x4 tank with a stone trim, he’s switching to Straton Pros I just saw on the new Dmitry video.

not going to lie i absolutely love the form factor on those lights. i have seen posts of people switching from radions in general and the stratons are on that lists. do you have pictures to share? the silence is a huge bonus too

 

[Maui The God]

Another option for that size tank that isnt bad and almost half the price of radions may be the kessel A 500x tuna blues...they have a 36"x36"spread 24" depth reach but you can get optional reflectors that can narrow the spread and give you more light for deeper tank. Maybe you could get by with 3 of these for under 2k. Each light is 185 watts

these still produce really good shimmer effects correct? i could be wrong but i didnt think they would be enough and i would end up needed way more than 3, but that is interesting

 

[banik]

Daniel from ReeFi about the ReeFi Uno 2.1

90° reflectors are great for open top (without canopy) because of the no side glares by sacrificing spread. For mostly LPS, I recommend 4 units and 5 to 6 units when more focused on SPS for additional overlapping coverage. I would mount them 12" above the water so each unit will have 24"x24" spread at the water surface.

120° reflectors have greater spread but will have some side glares. For mostly LPS, I recommend 3 units and 4 to 5 units when you have more SPS. Mounting height is 7" above the water for 24"x24" spread at the water surface.

The above recommended mounting height is to maximize spread and minimize light spilling out the front and back of the tank.

I recommend using 2040 Across Tank Mount and Custom Slide-on Adaptors for Uno (made for 2040) so that you can easily position the light along the 2040 aluminum rail.

+1 Reefi Uno Pro 2.1s

 

[rtparty]

whats the color like on these? do you have pictures?

They are like the Radion Pros at 100% but with the controller you have full control. The AB+ setting is close to the Radion AB+ on the Pro models.

There are a couple threads with them that have pictures. Mine are waiting for the new build.

I was full Radion on my last tank and loved them but at 1/3 the cost, the Nicrew Gen 2 are a no brainer. There is zero reason to spend $5-6k to light your tank.

My old 250 with Radions

 

[Michael71]

these still produce really good shimmer effects correct? i could be wrong but i didnt think they would be enough and i would end up needed way more than 3, but that is interesting

Go to bulk reef supply website, they have a video review and the product info says they are designed around keeping sps corals so sounds like light intensity is pretty strong and yes they are adjustible wavelength and produce a shimmer like metal halides do.

 

[Michael71]

This review was pretty informative from reef builders.

 

[buruskeee]

not going to lie i absolutely love the form factor on those lights. i have seen posts of people switching from radions in general and the stratons are on that lists. do you have pictures to share? the silence is a huge bonus too

Biggest thing is you can’t arm mount them easily. They only come with a hanging kit and so I didn’t want to put 4 holes so I used the Radion bar and slipped it through the cables so I only needed 2 holes in my ceiling.

These are the same footprint of the Pro 153. They are like T5 with the blanket coverage but still packs some punch for PAR. They are a little on the white heavy side, but have tons of tun-ability. the biggest thing I like is they’re 5W LEDs driven at only 1.5W. I run about a 10-12k spectrum half the day and about 16k (close to AB+ I’d say) the second half. Ramp up and down with only blues with barely white on.

Tank is 60x26x24 Excuse the UV mounted on the tank - I have post Dinos ptsd lol.

 

[DanyL]

If you can afford them - I highly recommend going with the ReeFi Unos.

They are well built, come with higher intensity and wider spectrum to choose from, they are modular and completely silent - but still have a fan that can ramp up when temps exceed a configurable set point, instead of ramping down light intensity like passively cooled fixtures do (which to be fair, is a rare occurrence in both), and it comes with probably the most responsive and personal support you’d get, and 3 times the warranty.

I own 9 of them (5 Uno 1 and 4 Uno 2.0), and even the old ones are still in use and kicking about 4 years later, and I’m now waiting for the 2.1 to restock to buy more.

It’s not that they’re extremely special unicorns either - there are undoubtedly other good lights on the market, but the overall package, either with or without giving attention to the affordable price tag, is better than what others have to offer, and that’s why it shines and praised by so many users.

 

[Maui The God]

If you can afford them - I highly recommend going with the ReeFi Unos.

They are well built, come with higher intensity and wider spectrum to choose from, they are modular and completely silent - but still have a fan that can ramp up when temps exceed a configurable set point, instead of ramping down light intensity like passively cooled fixtures do (which to be fair, is a rare occurrence in both), and it comes with probably the most responsive and personal support you’d get, and 3 times the warranty.

I own 9 of them (5 Uno 1 and 4 Uno 2.0), and even the old ones are still in use and kicking about 4 years later, and I’m now waiting for the 2.1 to restock to buy more.

It’s not that they’re extremely special unicorns either - there are undoubtedly other good lights on the market, but the overall package, either with or without giving attention to the affordable price tag, is better than what others have to offer, and that’s why it shines and praised by so many users.

the ReeFi Unos are at the top of my list. i absolutely love everything ive seen about them. being able to speak with Daniel was a positive too. have to do proper research though and keep options open. the price tag obviously helps its case but its the praise ive seen for them that draws me in. do you have pictures to share?

there has been great info so far and really opened my eyes beyond radion which is what i wanted