reefbreeders photon V2 is OUT...reviews here. - Page 13

Civicman86 · 03/14/2017, 11:11 AM

Any updates?

jason2459 · 03/14/2017, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Civicman86

Any updates?

If you're asking me, yes, lots.

I started a thread on my setup here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2626683

Civicman86 · 03/17/2017, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason2459

If you're asking me, yes, lots.

I started a thread on my setup here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2626683

Thanks! Following your thread!

fernalfer · 03/20/2017, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason2459

I did get a quick par reading last night. I have a MQ-510 Apogee par meter on hand that I used and will get more readings and comparisons vs. the Seneye reef monitor.

Right in the middle of the tank on the sand (~3" of sand there) Par was about 160. That's pretty awesome as I have a LOT more power to move that up very very easily. I'm glad the Photon v2 can go up in 1% jumps and not 10% jumps I've seen some Chinese LEDs do.

Right now, if my memory serves me right, at peak my settings are

Red Channel 1: 2
Green Channel 2: 2
Royal Blue Channel 3: 18
White Channel 4: 10
Cool Blue Channel 5: 18
Violet Channel 6: 18

That is not going to be my final ratio as I'm still playing around with the colors. That's just to give what was producing that Par above. Plus there's the two 80 watt T5's down the middle which are right now ATI Coral Plus bulbs. I'm liking the angle of the LEDs so far but will see more about that as I test out different channels individually and par measurements and will really see how the angles effect things.

I'm thinking I might be able to play around with Blue Plus and True Actinic's now. The White's on the Photon seem more Yellowish or warm white to me. Which with the Red's and Green's actually not spot lighting anymore I could turn those up for those colors that the Coral Plus bulbs provides.

I'm very happy I have some options now to play around with, power to drive the brightness (Par/Pur), and some amazing spread. Which I certainly hope so as I decided to shotgun it and put up 288 LED's and two strips of T5's down the middle.

Which I really feel that putting the T5's down the middle is better then supplementing them on the outsides. You don't put Baby in the corner... lol
This really softens and blends everything together nicely with still a hint of shimmer from the LEDs. LEDs seem to be so focused on a certain wavelength while the T5 blends smoother from one wavelength to another in a single bulb stretching the entire tank. Very different looks in lighting but when put together really creates a perfect blend. IMO.

That 160 Par in the middle was with the T5's on too? or no?

jason2459 · 03/20/2017, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernalfer

That 160 Par in the middle was with the T5's on too? or no?

Yes, and with my current settings I'm up to just over 200 PAR in the same spot.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...2626683&page=3

indyjaco · 03/20/2017, 01:27 PM

How high is everyone running channels 1 and 2?

Ron Reefman · 03/21/2017, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indyjaco

How high is everyone running channels 1 and 2?

IMHO, the red and green leds are just about useless and become an annoyance when they create red and green shadow edges or red and green disco effect in my shimmer. I put black electrical tape over the red and green leds in my 2 channel led fixtures.

Ssteve · 05/29/2017, 12:46 AM

Anyone have updates that are just running the v2? No supplementing at all...?

allicassydanny · 05/29/2017, 04:35 AM

I have been running the V2 48" over a 90 with no supplements for almost 5 months and still love it. Get great growth. Especially my montis and Yumas. Only complaint is the remote battery dies about every 10 days.

Ron Reefman · 05/29/2017, 05:25 AM

I ran my V2 for 6+ months with no supplements and it works great.

allicassydanny, get a plug-in USB adapter. Plug it in wherever you keep your remote (I keep mine in the stand). That way the battery is always charged. It's a simple $15 fix.

Ssteve, I added a 4' t5 to my 50" V2 and I tried the 6400K bulb that came with the fixture, then a 10,000K bulb and a 15,000K bulb and wasn't happy with any of them. I got a Bio Tek led retro fit bulb that is half 20,000K leds and 395nm true UV leds and it looks so much better than the t5's. I currently use it at the back edge of my tank because I have 5 sorals growing off the back glass about 1/2 to 3/4's of the way up the glass and the Photon V2 just can't cover them AND reach the front of the tank as well.

I'm considering two 44" led strips from 21ledusa. One would be white and blue for the front side of the tank (less shadows) and an all blue one for the back side of the tank (good for the coral and hopefully it will make the tank look a bit 'deeper' front to back. The more blue in the back making it appear to be further away than it really is. Just like being underwater and looking off into the distance.

But that's all personal playing around. IMHO the Photon V2 is a very good fixture. If I ever take it appart, I'll pull the red and green leds and add more blue or even some true 375nm to 400nm UV. I just don't see the need for red and green leds. IMHO there is more than enough red and green in the 5 watt Cree white leds.

JDWells · 05/29/2017, 08:00 AM

I ran one of the older Photons over my 125 for a while and my issue with them was that it was very purple looking. I loved everything else about it, but could never get over the purple hue. It looks like they're using better LEDs now but the layout doesn't look much different. Definitely see one in person before you buy, if you can.

Editour2 · 05/29/2017, 11:36 AM

Ron,
can you post a link to that bio tek T5 retrofit bulb? Do they make them in 5ft?
Frank

915MANG · 05/29/2017, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason2459

All the LEDs are working and playing with the color combination. The coverage is amazing. Two rows of fixtures + T5 and there is most definitely full coverage and absolutely 0 shadowing from my braces. Its awesome. I have them going up to 15% to start for the max peak for the day to start. I'll try to get par and pur measurements later.

I decided not to pull the lenses on the red and greens. With the 100 degree lens and two rows the alternating red green and the flip red green on the other side works out very well and spreads nicely. I have no disco effect or spot lighting at all even with just reds or just greens on. Again, it's awesome.

This wasn't cheap (but not nearly as much as "higher end" fixture) and getting so many LEDs was not about brightness but about spread and full coverage on top, sides, and under the corals. I think I've succeeded.

The remote and programming seems easy for someone absolutely new to programing LEDs. I really like as going through the custom programming it actually tells the lights to do whats on that hour so no guessing what it looks like until after saving.

Oh Man, Love it!

Editour2 · 05/29/2017, 04:13 PM

Regarding ramping up and down....I've read through most of this post and through Jason's separate post ......are the V2's only in 1 hour increments or 1/2 hour increments?

jason2459 · 05/29/2017, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 915MANG

Oh Man, Love it!

Thanks. Me too!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Editour2

Regarding ramping up and down....I've read through most of this post and through Jason's separate post ......are the V2's only in 1 hour increments or 1/2 hour increments?

1 hour and is way more then enough for me. Anymore and would be more complicated then I'd want. For some it may not be enough. I have my t5s on and off at 12:30pm and 8:30pm which staggers those a bit from the led ramping.

Ron Reefman · 05/30/2017, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Editour2

Ron,
can you post a link to that bio tek T5 retrofit bulb? Do they make them in 5ft?
Frank

Here is a link to the bulb I used and the dealer I bought from, and they shipped right away and answered a question the next morning. Good customer service.

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/lig...trofit-t5-lamp

And it does come in a 60" length.

drummerboyevil · 06/03/2017, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

Here is a link to the bulb I used and the dealer I bought from, and they shipped right away and answered a question the next morning. Good customer service.

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/lig...trofit-t5-lamp

And it does come in a 60" length.

Ron do you have a par meter? I've been thinking about adding two of the bioteks to my 8 bulb Ati fixture (I have reefbrite/BML actinics on the fixture already).

Ron Reefman · 06/03/2017, 11:36 AM

I do. And when I get it back (it's out on loan to a friend) I'd be happy to test the PAR of my bulb (20,000K & 395nm UV)

Editour2 · 06/04/2017, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

Here is a link to the bulb I used and the dealer I bought from, and they shipped right away and answered a question the next morning. Good customer service.

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/lig...trofit-t5-lamp

And it does come in a 60" length.

Thanks Ron...do you know how many watts the 60" is?

Ron Reefman · 06/05/2017, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Editour2

Thanks Ron...do you know how many watts the 60" is?

I should get my PAR meter back today.

I have no idea of how many watts these are. Even the Bio Tek Marine website offers no help, not even a contact email! I do have a Kill-o-watt meter so I'll give that a try. My bet is they are 0.5 watt leds, but that's just my best guess.

I'll get PAR and watt info posted in the next 48 hours... rather busy today.

Ron Reefman · 06/06/2017, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drummerboyevil

Ron do you have a par meter? I've been thinking about adding two of the bioteks to my 8 bulb Ati fixture (I have reefbrite/BML actinics on the fixture already).

With my Photon V2 still in the morning ramp up (about 40% power) I got 350 Par at 10" (the water surface). The Bio-Tek bulb got 125 Par. OK, I'm using an old Apogee Par meter which is weak in the blue spectrum and no good PAR meter will read true UV. But my personal adjustment factor for this is to multiply by a factor of 1.25 to 1.50 which is still a PAR of 155 to 190 at 10" in air. That's pretty lame. So OK if all you want to do is add some light and really don't care much for PAR.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Editour2

Thanks Ron...do you know how many watts the 60" is?

Given the PAR numbers, I'm not even going to waste my time breaking out the Kill-o-watt meter unless you really still want to know. There are 125 leds on my 48" bulb, 100 445nm blue and 25 395nm UV and my guess is that it would be between 35 and 60 watts. I'd guess the 60" would have about 165 leds and be between 50 and 80 watts. In reality I'd guess the lower end of that range.

I'll never buy another Bio-Tek led retrofit bulb. And yesterday I ordered 2 21ledusa Reef Pro fixtures in 48" lengths. I got the 445nm blue for the back of the tank and the half blue and half white for the front of the tank.

Ssteve · 06/06/2017, 11:01 AM

Very interested in seeing how you mount them. My v2 should be here today and I'll eventually be looking to add something to it. Haven't decided if it will be a led strip or just a tried and true t5 with a blue+ bulb.

Editour2 · 06/06/2017, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Editour2

Regarding ramping up and down....I've read through most of this post and through Jason's separate post ......are the V2's only in 1 hour increments or 1/2 hour increments?

I just s/w Logan @ reefbreeders....there are plans now to make the steps every 6 minutes....still enter it by the hour, but it will change every 6 minutes. This may be available sometime within the next few months. If you already have a fixture without this upgrade reefbreeders will offer an upgrade for older light fixtures @ an extra cost.

Now we're talking !!!!!!!

Ron Reefman · 06/06/2017, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Editour2

Regarding ramping up and down....I've read through most of this post and through Jason's separate post ......are the V2's only in 1 hour increments or 1/2 hour increments?

Yes, and I don't find it an issue at all. If I happen to be looking at the tank at the top of the hour I can see it change. Not a big deal and I'll guarantee you the fish and corals couldn't care less. I think of it like having a clock that chimes on the hour, it's just the lights do it really quietly!

youcallmenny · 06/30/2017, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

Here is a link to the bulb I used and the dealer I bought from, and they shipped right away and answered a question the next morning. Good customer service.

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/lig...trofit-t5-lamp

And it does come in a 60" length.

Ron, how did you mount this LED and can you show us a FTS with it on and off? I'm interested in one of these for my 48" V2.

03/14/2017, 11:11 AM	#301
Civicman86 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 138	Any updates? __________________ -Dustin Current Tank Info: 75G FOWL Build

03/20/2017, 01:27 PM	#306
indyjaco Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 726	How high is everyone running channels 1 and 2? __________________ Jacob SCA 120G RB 48 V2

05/29/2017, 05:25 AM	#310
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	I ran my V2 for 6+ months with no supplements and it works great. allicassydanny, get a plug-in USB adapter. Plug it in wherever you keep your remote (I keep mine in the stand). That way the battery is always charged. It's a simple $15 fix. Ssteve, I added a 4' t5 to my 50" V2 and I tried the 6400K bulb that came with the fixture, then a 10,000K bulb and a 15,000K bulb and wasn't happy with any of them. I got a Bio Tek led retro fit bulb that is half 20,000K leds and 395nm true UV leds and it looks so much better than the t5's. I currently use it at the back edge of my tank because I have 5 sorals growing off the back glass about 1/2 to 3/4's of the way up the glass and the Photon V2 just can't cover them AND reach the front of the tank as well. I'm considering two 44" led strips from 21ledusa. One would be white and blue for the front side of the tank (less shadows) and an all blue one for the back side of the tank (good for the coral and hopefully it will make the tank look a bit 'deeper' front to back. The more blue in the back making it appear to be further away than it really is. Just like being underwater and looking off into the distance. But that's all personal playing around. IMHO the Photon V2 is a very good fixture. If I ever take it appart, I'll pull the red and green leds and add more blue or even some true 375nm to 400nm UV. I just don't see the need for red and green leds. IMHO there is more than enough red and green in the 5 watt Cree white leds. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

05/29/2017, 11:36 AM	#312
Editour2 Frank Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Suffolk County, NY Posts: 1,907	Ron, can you post a link to that bio tek T5 retrofit bulb? Do they make them in 5ft? Frank __________________ Frank Current Tank Info: 215 gal DT, 125 gal sump, 40 gal refugium w/ATS, 20 gal frag tank, reeflo orca skimmer, Knop HD calc reac w/2nd chamber, BRS dual reac, dart rtn pump, 2x tunze 6105's on seasweeps, 2x jebao PP20's, 30gal QT, LED/T5 Ltg, 1/2 hp aqualogic chiller.

05/29/2017, 04:13 PM	#314
Editour2 Frank Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Suffolk County, NY Posts: 1,907	Regarding ramping up and down....I've read through most of this post and through Jason's separate post ......are the V2's only in 1 hour increments or 1/2 hour increments? __________________ Frank Current Tank Info: 215 gal DT, 125 gal sump, 40 gal refugium w/ATS, 20 gal frag tank, reeflo orca skimmer, Knop HD calc reac w/2nd chamber, BRS dual reac, dart rtn pump, 2x tunze 6105's on seasweeps, 2x jebao PP20's, 30gal QT, LED/T5 Ltg, 1/2 hp aqualogic chiller.

05/29/2017, 12:46 AM	#308
Ssteve Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 2,087	Anyone have updates that are just running the v2? No supplementing at all...?

05/29/2017, 04:35 AM	#309
allicassydanny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: rochester, ny Posts: 62	I have been running the V2 48" over a 90 with no supplements for almost 5 months and still love it. Get great growth. Especially my montis and Yumas. Only complaint is the remote battery dies about every 10 days.

05/29/2017, 08:00 AM	#311
JDWells Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 54	I ran one of the older Photons over my 125 for a while and my issue with them was that it was very purple looking. I loved everything else about it, but could never get over the purple hue. It looks like they're using better LEDs now but the layout doesn't look much different. Definitely see one in person before you buy, if you can.

06/03/2017, 11:36 AM	#318
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	I do. And when I get it back (it's out on loan to a friend) I'd be happy to test the PAR of my bulb (20,000K & 395nm UV) __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

06/06/2017, 11:01 AM	#322
Ssteve Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 2,087	Very interested in seeing how you mount them. My v2 should be here today and I'll eventually be looking to add something to it. Haven't decided if it will be a led strip or just a tried and true t5 with a blue+ bulb.