Best options for lights for Red Sea Reefer 1000 S G2+

[Catmum]

I’m upgrading current Red Sea Reefer 525 to the 1000 (210cm x 68 x 65). The Reefer 525 has 3 LED90s which are 12 months old. The new tank will be mixed reef - primarily LPS although moving to some SPS in time. My question - should I add another LED90 as I already have 3, move to 4 x LED160 (Red Sea recommendation for this tank) or something different. I’ve been happy with the Red Sea lights (particularly from lack of glare when sitting next to the tank) but then my experience is limited in terms of PAR etc! Is there a better option which is tank mounted. I’m hoping to future proof so get this right first time (if such a thing exists ).

Any advice much appreciated.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Lighting Suggestions - Red Sea Reefer S 1000

Hey yall! I just pulled the trigger on the new Reefer 1000S for my dream tank build, and am trying to figure out the best lighting. I am going to do a T5/LED hybrid, and purchased (2) 36" Aquatic Life fixtures and am trying to figure out which LEDs to get. I am torn between the Hydras and...

www.reef2reef.com

This has some good lighting options!

 

[Catmum]

Thanks for your reply . Yes I had looked at that thread - came away more confused than before . Especially with the snarky comments towards the end!

I suppose here in UK it’s a choice between Radion or Kessil for overall performance. I’ve now actually bought a CADE 2100 so moving away from Red Sea (which is all I’ve ever used before). I liked the shimmer effect from the Red Sea LEDs but read quite a bit of negativity around Kessils (noted for shimmer) vs Radion. Where I live in UK there’s nowhere to go and see the lights in action.

 

[Bruttall]

Price to wattage comparison chart of most major light brands.



This was one consideration for me when I was light shopping. The next was warranty. There is only 1 light with a 3yr warranty that I know of. Next consideration was SUPPORT. Frankly most of these TOP BRANDS have total **** for customer support. But the lights I choose have a Facebook support page maintained by the lights maker Daniel Lu. In 56 years of dealing with retail I have never support for a product like this. You really have to witness it to believe it IMO.

Link to the Lights.

ReeFi Uno 2.0 Pro – ReeFi Lab

www.reefi-lab.com

A Years growth.


My Light profile using 125 of the 270 watts available at peak.


In my OPINION there is not a better light available right now. There is also not anything nearly as powerful as these lights. USE A PAR METER to set them up or you risk Burning coral. I am hitting 80 to 100 par on sand in 27 inches of water, lights mounted 12 inches above water with the 90 degree reeflector lens.

My tank, 8ft 300g 4 reefi lab lights.



Good Luck and happy reefing.

 

[Catmum]

Thanks for this and your tank looks amazing. Unfortunately these lights don’t seem to be available in UK.

 

[Bruttall]

Thanks for this and your tank looks amazing. Unfortunately these lights don’t seem to be available in UK.

if you have facebook goto the reefi page and msg Daniel Lu. I am pretty sure he will ship worldwide.

 

[TL1]

I have a G1 reefer S-1000. I went with 3x Philips Coralcare Gen II. There's pros and cons. I've since supplemented with 2x Kessil 360s and am super happy with the end result.

The MAJOR pro to me is that at the time (not sure about now) these were the only large panel lights that were passively cooled, meaning no fans or fan noise. A bunch of Radions is obnoxiously loud at peak intensity.

Ultimately, my preference will always be for panel lights + supplement as needed.

 

[EliMelly]

Can’t go wrong with radions

 

[Bruttall]

Can’t go wrong with radions

Radion's are Half the power and twice the cost of Reefi-Lab. Why would you pay almost twice as much for a item with half as much power, less actual diodes that provide light and a shorter warranty?

 

[EliMelly]

Radion's are Half the power and twice the cost of Reefi-Lab. Why would you pay almost twice as much for a item with half as much power, less actual diodes that provide light and a shorter warranty?

You a brand representative?

 

[Bruttall]

You a brand representative?

experienced owner. A years growth under reefi's in my tank.

 

[EliMelly]

experienced owner. A years growth under reefi's in my tank.

Lighting isn’t the only contributor to growth

 

[LPS Bum]

I have 3 ReefLED 90s on my 625 mixed reef (majority LPS).. They’ve been great. No complaints.

Sounds like you have had the same experience. Why not just add a 4th?