Reefbreeders, Hydra52, buildmyled or Razor 16K

[zooman72]

Used it about 4 months on a 75. Six time points are not enough especially for how you have to program it.

Over rated LEDs although it grows coral fine and are nicely made. You don't realize how bad the color is until you try out Radion Pros or other higher end lights.

OK, again a subjective issue possibly with regards to the controller - the time points are not enough for you, but plenty for others, like myself...

Not sure what to do with the "over-rated LEDs" comment, but I have seen the Razors over a couple of different tanks firsthand (one a friend of mine) and all three Radions (Gen 1, Gen 2 and Pro) firsthand over other hobbyists tanks and about 6 different store displays over several months - while color is subjective, both the Razors and Radions can be "adjusted" to different color light emissions/ profiles (Radions of course with greater adjustability), and I found nothing unpleasant about any of them myself.

Being "high-end" can also mean very little if one prefers a certain overall "color" - I frequent a store display lit by a GHL Mitra that looks terrible to me, but is one of the most expensive (and well reviewed LED fixtures) lights available, and it is at a setting that I don't like - doesn't mean it "sucks" however...:facepalm:

 

[evolutionZ]

FlypenFly,
So you where not happy with them. What differences do you see with the Radion Pros vs. the Razor? Better color? Faster growth?
I thought the Razor had Cree led's. I know there's no separate color channels, but I thought the light and color looked pretty nice. Maybe lacking a little in the red area but there's no way to adjust that color.

the reds/greens/yellow/orange etc etc are all covered by the warm white from the razors, yes it uses Cree. radion pros are horribly overpriced.

 

[mikeatjac]

The razor, weak control and color out put. Hydra nice but weak par numbers. Reef builders weak control. Of the three I would go with hydra.

 

[meshwheel]

mikeatjac,
I am not going to start a debate here. Although, it looks like it may have already started.
I can say this: I actually own a PAR meter and will be using it. I have installed reefbreeders fixtures already for 2 clients.
The colors of the corals under them is beautiful. You get a rich color look that I have yet to see anywhere else. No bleaching at all. 90% blue, 55% white.
What I want is adjustability with extra light to spare! And I do like the adjustable channels on other fixtures.
What I may do is go with the reefbreeders fixture then add a buildmyled 24inch UV strip with adjustable controller. That would still bring me in around the 700.00 mark.
However, that's expensive and adding a custom blend to the reefbreeders may be a better option. I need to contact Logan again.
There's always more then one way to skin a cat.

 

[meshwheel]

zooman72,
Agreed, its one mans taste vs. another. And that can be few and far between. I have been in this hobby for almost 30 years and its progressed enormously.
I am certainly going leds. I know they work! I was originally planning 500 watts of metal halide light for my new 65 gallon custom tank I am setting up.
I can get it down to half that with led's not to mention less heat and no bulb changes.

 

[BAETech2004]

Radion Pros overpriced? Maybe, but for 550.00 the GEN Radion is a awesome option too. Since the price drop the difference in price is negligible. Additionally, in control-ability, none of the above mentioned lights can even come close to comparing to a Radion....period.

 

[chadfarmer]

i had a razor the biggest one they made on my 40 breeder zoa grow out tank

i didn't like the coverage of the unit It replaced a ai sol which the colors were better on the razor but after 5 months of wanting more coverage I made a change to another light and corals looked even better.

all lights u listed should work just depends on which ones makes your corals look better. lets be honest no one wants ugly corals under there leds


I did a sps tank with leds and my colors weren't there but I did jump on the first band wagon things looked good for a few months and than just started to drop off.

 

[FlyPenFly]

I've literally tried all the major lights available except for the GHL Mitras. I ended up using T5 but I do plan to get some BML (Build MY LED) strips as a side supplemental light when their next generation comes out.

All of the lights have shortcomings in terms of harsh shadows although maybe the Mitras fancy reflectors do not. This is the biggest weakness in LED lights, even MH lights were able to better surround branching coral through good reflectors.

The Razor is a fine light but after using a Radion Pro, it's just leaps and bounds better than everything I've tried in getting the exact color I wanted. It's too bad you need at least 2 to cover a modestly wide tank. They need to be angled so they can cover each other's shadows. The Razors have the same weakness.

My next light, if I feel so inclined will definitely be a ATI Powermodule + LED.

 

[meshwheel]

flypenfly,
First off the BML(Got it) lights have no shadows at all. The ReefBreeders as well. No more or less then a couple of metal halide pendants.
If your following the manufacturers height instructions I would think coverage would be pretty good now even with the cluster type led's. I will admit I have no experience with the cluster type, but I would think the overlapping is still much better than one narrow point source.
I am not going to waste money. I work far too hard for it, and its getting very scarce these past 5-5.5 years!!!!!!!!!! Everyone thinks debt is ok. I do not, and I am not rich.
By the way, what differences where there with the Reefbreeders vs. other brands?
Thanks

 

[FlyPenFly]

With multi branch large sps colonies, you get shadowing with any light if you're shooting from a single source. Strip led lights though are definitely the least shawdowing and why I'm planning to get some.

 

[stancfii]

I have a 27" razor on my 40br, and I think coverage is great. If you have a tank packed with LR, I could see how it might not make it to the edges. The issue is that you have to run it at least 50% for it to appear reasonably bright. I run a max of 60%b/50%w for 5 hrs, and have no problem with SPS. I can't seem to make mine look purple, and I get checked for color blindness once or twice a year....

Not sure why you'd need more than 6 time points, unless you want to do 2 full photo periods a day. The controller takes a few seconds to figure out, but it beats the hell out of the 3 timers I used to have under my stand.

Crees are used in the Razor, they are extremely efficient. That's why you only need 39 instead of 99 like the value fixtures (NOT knocking them, I'd actually love to see one on my tank to compare). The only thing I wish the Razor had on it is a cyan, just to see how it might change things. I have 3 and plan on doing a diy strip to see how it affects the current colors of the Razor. The only thing I'd sell my Razor for is if I got my DIY tweaked where I wanted it (diy LED/T5) or to go back to MH.

 

[stancfii]

Also, if you have a more shallow tank (18" or less), you don't need optics. I used to run a 44 led/t5 diy fixture without optics, and there was little difference when the T5 were on other than an increase in brightness. Without optics, the light bounces around a little more and gives much better coverage and fills shadows, as well as blends better to prevent disco. Downside is you have to have a canopy to keep from going blind

 

[meshwheel]

stancfii,
Thank you for your input. So your happy with the Razor then I presume???
My tank is 36x18x24 and is 65 gallons. Just trying to decide which one to go with. I will order tomorrow evening.
My tank will be SPS and will be sitting on a custom stand with a counter all the way around the tank. My bar stools are the very tall ones. It will seat 3 people around the front of the tank. Should be able to snap a few pics later today to give a idea of progress! Heck, maybe I can make this my build thread.
Thank you
I am working on the tank again today.

 

[Devaji108]

tagging along...as I am setting up a 40 br (36X 18X 16 ) and am pretty much in the same boat but i dont need a ton of light and it will be a LPS softie tank with a few SPS...

have you thought of the kessil A360W??

 

[meshwheel]

Devaji,
Yes they are nice as well. It would have to be the 360 model. Can the channels be adjusted on those things?? Not too thrilled with the Kessil right now.
I am still on the fence and will be reading and reading again tonight. Thanks to everyone for the input.
I am pretty excited to get this going. I think even 2 of the Hydra's would be enough!

 

[nanoreefer1000]

Hi guys,
I now have the money for my lights! My tank is 36x18x24. This will be a SPS tank. I feel led's have come pretty much full circle now, and feel confident to purchase them now. I have waited quite a while!!!
So what do you guys think?? I love the Reefbreeders Photon 32.! WOW! 300 watts for 450 bucks!!! With controller to boot and 2 YEAR WARRANTEE!!!!:fun4: GOOOOOODNIGHT!!! That's a deal!!!:fun4:
MAxspect Razor: 160 watts I think, great color. Super sleek looking fixture with built in controller!!!! Very nice!!!
Hydra52. WOW! loads of watts and great colors. CONTROLLABLE CHANNELS!!!! Something the Razor and reefbreeders lack. BUILT IN USA!!!!! MUCH DENERO SENOR!!!! Big bucks compared to the other 2!
doityourselfled: Very nice. Built in Texas. No color control yet. Close to 1000.00 for 3 3' strips and all the extras I will need.

Logan from reefbreeders has been great for answering questions. However the AI Hydra52's come with 2 sets of UV's. A light purple and a darker purple. The reefbreeders only come with a darker purple. 412nm I believe.
I wish reefbreeders had spectral charts of their lights on the website. Anyone know anything about the additional UV's on the hydra's???
Just want to make the right decision and be done with it!
Thank you:thumbsup::wavehand:

My favs-
Razor
Reefbreeders
BML
and Last is the Hydra

 

[mixedreefjunky]

If your worried about spectrum with the reefbreeders you can customize the layout for ten dollars more. whatever colors you want. done deal

 

[Devaji108]

Devaji,
Yes they are nice as well. It would have to be the 360 model. Can the channels be adjusted on those things?? Not too thrilled with the Kessil right now.
I am still on the fence and will be reading and reading again tonight. Thanks to everyone for the input.
I am pretty excited to get this going. I think even 2 of the Hydra's would be enough!

so you think u would need 2 hydra's?

 

[stancfii]

I love the dimensions of a 65. I am also very happy with the Razor. You will get more out of it than I do, because you will be able to run it at a higher percentage with the taller aquarium, making it more bright for you. I really love the spread of it, and you can see it on Sanjay's data as well as Maxspects data what the spread and par are at 24 and 30" @ 100%. I made a guesstimation that if it shows X par at 24", then running it at 65% should give me about Y par at the same distance. So far it is working well, my sps are showing growth in the center and top of the aquarium,and my ricordea/zoos aren't shriveled up and melting from too much light on the bottom and sides.

HTH

 

[txaggie09]

probably been said already but buildmyled now allows you to custom configure their lights as well. I have 2 of the 12,000k fixtures and love them. Built in Texas and beyond great customer service