reefbreeders photon V2 is OUT...reviews here. - Page 2

fernalfer · 02/05/2016, 07:26 PM

Now the original photon 48 is $439.00 the V2's are $649. I was looking to by the original photon 48, but now the V2's are out. contemplating if the $200 price difference is really going to make it worth while on my tank.

Devaji108 · 02/07/2016, 10:19 AM

^ it all depends on if you want slimmer and sexier with the 6 channels. I have not owned any RB LEDs but the new V2 is sure making it to the top of this list for my new 90..

anyone got one of these yet?

BIGCYCS805 · 02/07/2016, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernalfer

Now the original photon 48 is $439.00 the V2's are $649. I was looking to by the original photon 48, but now the V2's are out. contemplating if the $200 price difference is really going to make it worth while on my tank.

I had a reef breeders photon 48 ran no problems the only thing I didn't like was the programmability in my eyes it needed more channels and be able to dim from 0 to 100 which is one of my reasons for getting an LEDzeal I really didn't like the instant brightness from moon lights to regular blue my LEDzeal has 4 channels dimmable from 0 to 100%. If they make this in a 60 inch version like my current ledzeal I might have to swoop me up one I would love to be able to dim every color on its own. If I had to make the choice from previously owning a photon 48 I would get the v2 it looks so much better plus I love hanging my lights over my tank open top and the v2 looks so much sexier

Devaji108 · 02/09/2016, 12:26 AM

^ nice! I was looking in to leadZeal a while back...yeah the V2 dose look good right!

Devaji108 · 02/11/2016, 06:27 PM

so does anyone have the V2 yet? really really thinking about it...

Ron Reefman · 02/12/2016, 06:57 AM

I like the info on this new version as well. But the price is starting (just starting) to get up into the range of the crazy overpriced brand name fixtures like EcoTech. I have been using 2 EverGrow IT2080 fixtures and an EG IT2040 fixture over my 180g sps/lps reef and 75g Gorgonian tanks for 3+ years now and they have been great!

But I like the new version for the fact that based on wattage and number of leds that the blues outnumber the whites by more than 2:1. I also like the fact that every color is controllable. The down side is, if you want to reset your entire 24 hour color program it will take 30 to 45 minutes per fixture (and I have 3 spread out over 2 tanks).

My big hope is that the new remote would allow me to stand back and do all 3 at one time which I can't do with my current remote. But then what if I want to do something different, like a sunrise and sunset that moves over the tank (silly idea but I've read of some people doing it). Then each fixture would have to be programmed individually... what a time consuming PITA!

They need a better system. OceanRevive previewed one that you could ID each fixture and do the programming in the remote and then 'dump' the program into the fixture. But they had issues with the supplier about fixing some minor issues and the whole thing fell apart. As is common in China, there wasn't enough volume to justify the cost of improving the product. EverGrow, the final product manufacturer, and ReefBreeders along with OceanRevive and ReefRadiance (the re-sellers I know for sure) need to apply some pressure to a Chinese company to produce such a controller and remote system. If it had that remote I'd buy 3 of these tomorrow!

Sonyardo · 02/12/2016, 07:25 PM

I've been holding out and waiting on the Supernova, but as soon as I can scrape up 6 fiddy, I think i'm gonna squeeze the trigger on the V2. By then maybe there will be some positive real world reviews on them

Devaji108 · 02/13/2016, 01:55 AM

the supernova been "coming soon" for quite a while now has't it?

yeah the V2 do look pretty sweet. I am surprised no one on here as gotten one yet...

Rcj520 · 02/13/2016, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devaji108

the supernova been "coming soon" for quite a while now has't it?

yeah the V2 do look pretty sweet. I am surprised no one on here as gotten one yet...

I just bought the photon 32 v2. Should be here withing the week.

saltmeup · 02/14/2016, 12:49 AM

Do these ship to Canada and how many should be used over a 48 inch 90 gallon.
I'm seriously looking for lights and the Maspect, hydra 52 and Radions are light I'm looking at .....tough to decide .....sps dominant tank

Ron Reefman · 02/14/2016, 08:22 AM

My concern for the new V2 Photons is the drop in total power for the blue channel.

In the old Photon 32 for example, there is 210 watts (we'll use 3 watts /led even if they are running at 2.2 watts) of blue and violet. There is 66 watts of white. That's just shy of a 3.2:1 ratio of blue to white.

In the 32-V2 there is 184 watts of blue and violet and 80 watts of white. That's exactly a 2.3:1 ratio of blue to white.

Since I already run my originals at 100% blue and 50% white, I think the V-2 will be even a bigger spread between blue and white?

Anybody have an opinion?

csb123 · 02/14/2016, 10:15 AM

I'd like to hear from someone who is running one.

Devaji108 · 02/14/2016, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rcj520

I just bought the photon 32 v2. Should be here withing the week.

nice! plz do keep us posted. I think there are a few of us waiting on more of hands on review. i know I am..

Devaji108 · 02/14/2016, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

My concern for the new V2 Photons is the drop in total power for the blue channel.

In the old Photon 32 for example, there is 210 watts (we'll use 3 watts /led even if they are running at 2.2 watts) of blue and violet. There is 66 watts of white. That's just shy of a 3.2:1 ratio of blue to white.

In the 32-V2 there is 184 watts of blue and violet and 80 watts of white. That's exactly a 2.3:1 ratio of blue to white.

Since I already run my originals at 100% blue and 50% white, I think the V-2 will be even a bigger spread between blue and white?

Anybody have an opinion?

Ron thats a good point. hopefully we will see real world feedback soon!

dread240 · 02/14/2016, 04:06 PM

fiddling with a 32" v2 right now over a 40 breeder keeping my system on life support till the new tank arrives

so far I like it, but I'm just now messing around with it

Devaji108 · 02/14/2016, 11:18 PM

^ nice tell us a lil about it.
pic too!

does it dim down to 0 or go off at 10%?
hows the blue to white ratio?

dread240 · 02/15/2016, 09:55 AM

definitely dims to 0 I have no other controller on the system right now and the light turns off on it's own

Honestly I think the blue/white ratio is perfect. With everything maxed out I get kinda of a 12k-14kish look, back off on the whites/greens a bit and you get that real pleasent blue hue

Devaji108 · 02/15/2016, 12:52 PM

we will be waiting for a full review and write up then.

with lots of pics and or videos!!

dread240 · 02/15/2016, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devaji108

we will be waiting for a full review and write up then.

with lots of pics and or videos!!

Meh it's not gonna be anything fancy. I bought this light for my future frag tank, but right now it's on a temp tank holding some live rock and a few fish while I get prepared to do the 7 footer in the wall. It's a hater, a hob filter and a tunze 6095.

Few corals are still kicking it so we'll see how they do with this light

trueperc · 02/15/2016, 02:57 PM

Very interest in this new fixture. Just curious what kind of real world coverage and is there a decent shimmer or is it more like a T5 flat look?

dread240 · 02/15/2016, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueperc

Very interest in this new fixture. Just curious what kind of real world coverage and is there a decent shimmer or is it more like a T5 flat look?

I can tell you buying the 32 for my 36' tank was kind of overkill. I have light spilling on each end. I could see the 32 covering a 4' tank fine.

There is pretty good shimmer on it. I'm going to try and get some videos tomorrow but I don't even have internet yet at this house and my future fish room was used by the previous owners as the land of forgotten christmas decorations so it's a hot mess in there

Devaji108 · 02/15/2016, 10:25 PM

^ I was wondering the same I asked logan he did recommend the 24" for my 36x24x24.

we look forward to the video!

cbodey · 02/19/2016, 09:15 PM

I just bought the 48 v2 for my 90 gallon tank that i just started yesterday. i used a orbit current 48 and after seeing the light and the few corals it would keep i took the light back. So far its cycling with all 90 pounds of live rock and black sand. So by next friday i will have it in hand and installed

cbodey · 02/19/2016, 09:35 PM

test

Devaji108 · 02/20/2016, 01:06 AM

Nice! well keep us posted plz

02/12/2016, 06:57 AM	#31
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	I like the info on this new version as well. But the price is starting (just starting) to get up into the range of the crazy overpriced brand name fixtures like EcoTech. I have been using 2 EverGrow IT2080 fixtures and an EG IT2040 fixture over my 180g sps/lps reef and 75g Gorgonian tanks for 3+ years now and they have been great! But I like the new version for the fact that based on wattage and number of leds that the blues outnumber the whites by more than 2:1. I also like the fact that every color is controllable. The down side is, if you want to reset your entire 24 hour color program it will take 30 to 45 minutes per fixture (and I have 3 spread out over 2 tanks). My big hope is that the new remote would allow me to stand back and do all 3 at one time which I can't do with my current remote. But then what if I want to do something different, like a sunrise and sunset that moves over the tank (silly idea but I've read of some people doing it). Then each fixture would have to be programmed individually... what a time consuming PITA! They need a better system. OceanRevive previewed one that you could ID each fixture and do the programming in the remote and then 'dump' the program into the fixture. But they had issues with the supplier about fixing some minor issues and the whole thing fell apart. As is common in China, there wasn't enough volume to justify the cost of improving the product. EverGrow, the final product manufacturer, and ReefBreeders along with OceanRevive and ReefRadiance (the re-sellers I know for sure) need to apply some pressure to a Chinese company to produce such a controller and remote system. If it had that remote I'd buy 3 of these tomorrow! __________________ 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

02/14/2016, 08:22 AM	#36
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	My concern for the new V2 Photons is the drop in total power for the blue channel. In the old Photon 32 for example, there is 210 watts (we'll use 3 watts /led even if they are running at 2.2 watts) of blue and violet. There is 66 watts of white. That's just shy of a 3.2:1 ratio of blue to white. In the 32-V2 there is 184 watts of blue and violet and 80 watts of white. That's exactly a 2.3:1 ratio of blue to white. Since I already run my originals at 100% blue and 50% white, I think the V-2 will be even a bigger spread between blue and white? Anybody have an opinion? __________________ 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

02/14/2016, 04:06 PM	#40
dread240 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Essex, MD Posts: 979	fiddling with a 32" v2 right now over a 40 breeder keeping my system on life support till the new tank arrives so far I like it, but I'm just now messing around with it __________________ BRB, Goldfish on fire How much deeper would the ocean really be if sponges didn't exist? Current Tank Info: 75 gallon mixed reef tank

02/15/2016, 09:55 AM	#42
dread240 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Essex, MD Posts: 979	definitely dims to 0 I have no other controller on the system right now and the light turns off on it's own Honestly I think the blue/white ratio is perfect. With everything maxed out I get kinda of a 12k-14kish look, back off on the whites/greens a bit and you get that real pleasent blue hue __________________ BRB, Goldfish on fire How much deeper would the ocean really be if sponges didn't exist? Current Tank Info: 75 gallon mixed reef tank

02/19/2016, 09:15 PM	#48
cbodey Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Greensboro NC Posts: 6	will update next week I just bought the 48 v2 for my 90 gallon tank that i just started yesterday. i used a orbit current 48 and after seeing the light and the few corals it would keep i took the light back. So far its cycling with all 90 pounds of live rock and black sand. So by next friday i will have it in hand and installed

02/05/2016, 07:26 PM	#26
fernalfer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 553	Now the original photon 48 is $439.00 the V2's are $649. I was looking to by the original photon 48, but now the V2's are out. contemplating if the $200 price difference is really going to make it worth while on my tank.

02/07/2016, 10:19 AM	#27
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	^ it all depends on if you want slimmer and sexier with the 6 channels. I have not owned any RB LEDs but the new V2 is sure making it to the top of this list for my new 90.. anyone got one of these yet?

02/09/2016, 12:26 AM	#29
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	^ nice! I was looking in to leadZeal a while back...yeah the V2 dose look good right!

02/11/2016, 06:27 PM	#30
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	so does anyone have the V2 yet? really really thinking about it...

02/12/2016, 07:25 PM	#32
Sonyardo Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: OC California Posts: 522	I've been holding out and waiting on the Supernova, but as soon as I can scrape up 6 fiddy, I think i'm gonna squeeze the trigger on the V2. By then maybe there will be some positive real world reviews on them

02/13/2016, 01:55 AM	#33
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	the supernova been "coming soon" for quite a while now has't it? yeah the V2 do look pretty sweet. I am surprised no one on here as gotten one yet...

02/14/2016, 12:49 AM	#35
saltmeup Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 40	Do these ship to Canada and how many should be used over a 48 inch 90 gallon. I'm seriously looking for lights and the Maspect, hydra 52 and Radions are light I'm looking at .....tough to decide .....sps dominant tank

02/14/2016, 10:15 AM	#37
csb123 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: minnesota Posts: 104	I'd like to hear from someone who is running one.

02/14/2016, 11:18 PM	#41
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	^ nice tell us a lil about it. pic too! does it dim down to 0 or go off at 10%? hows the blue to white ratio?

02/15/2016, 12:52 PM	#43
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	we will be waiting for a full review and write up then. with lots of pics and or videos!!

02/15/2016, 02:57 PM	#45
trueperc Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ottawa, On, Canada Posts: 788	Very interest in this new fixture. Just curious what kind of real world coverage and is there a decent shimmer or is it more like a T5 flat look?

02/15/2016, 10:25 PM	#47
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	^ I was wondering the same I asked logan he did recommend the 24" for my 36x24x24. we look forward to the video!

02/19/2016, 09:35 PM	#49
cbodey Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Greensboro NC Posts: 6	test test

02/20/2016, 01:06 AM	#50
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	Nice! well keep us posted plz