So im beginning to plan my dream tank (130cm x130cm 60cm with central overflow) and I find myself watching your videos more and more. Your equipment videos are excellent, mostly because you explain your thought process well, and whilst I won’t be copying them I have taken a number of ideas and primarily your methodology for making decisions. Amazing job man…
As someone who's considering entering the hobby I started watching your "Idiot proof reef tank" series. Honestly the best build series I could find for a beginner like me. Now ended up watching your entire dream build series as well 😂. Thanks for the great content, cannot wait to see this build finished! 😁
I’m Loving watching your new tank build videos, can’t wait until your next one, all I want to say is, white cable ties and keep up the great work, see you soon Colin 🏴
@@ParkersReef I was just thinking about the front where you can see them, but I see your point about the cables I never thought of that😊, I will just keep my pointless opinions to myself in future 😂, that one seriously impressive tank you’ve got there and very expensive, really can’t wait until the corals and fish go in, anyway I’m blethering on here, see you soon 🏴
Hi Sam, do you think 3 x coral care gen 2 will be enough for a 2.4m long, 56cm deep and 75cm high tank? I can see that you have added more lights. We are still investigating options but want an aesthetically pleasing light as it'll be hung from the ceiling and we don't have a light canopy to cover it
Hi Sam, how you still liking the coralcares? I am about to go down the avenue of setting up my big teef tank and liking the robust nature/lack of fans on the coralcares. Would you go for anything else if you could now?
I think with the Kessils you will have hit the mark on the lighting. I have the Kessils and Orphek OR3 and the compliment each other well. The Phillips will do well in adding the fill lighting. I think the BRS tests came to the conclusion that if you tried to make the Phillips run at the AB+ color they would not grow sps since you have to turn them down so much. If you run them the way you intend you should have less of an issue, but with the Kessils and Orphek you will have the best mix.
Looks great Sam, great par too. I use 4 Orphek v4 gen 2s and two or2 120 blue bars recommended height is 14" for spread for both but think you can get wider angle lenses for the bars if using lower .
I haven’t seen many of the stratons yet, lots asking me about them but I’m yet to see a tank with them on. Got links to any? I’d love to check them out
I agree on adding the Kessel’s. They are better than any other led fixture when it comes to shimmer. Your fixtures look great. I’m sure when you tidy it up as you say, it will look great in that crazy cool light lift you built. I often hear people make the comments about correcting the readings on the PAR meters when reading LED’s. I tend to believe that knowing your tanks PAR is a reference and not like measuring alk. You really only need to do it once and at colonies start to shadow and you measure it again, just use the same brand meter. The corals will aclimate anyway.
Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. Kessil will certainly add that gorgeous shimmer and I agree about getting a baseline PAR to refer back to 👍🏻
You got all the bases covered Sam, will look pretty awsome with the Kessils, couldn't really see the shimmer on the video. Love the clean set up, you have thought of everything
I don't think I did and to be honest, there is nothing special to it. Pick a colour and intensity you like, run that for 8-10 hours and ramp up/down to/from that for an hour each end :)
L bracket with a T nut should be able to fix the mounting of the coral cares for you? Did you consider running the orpheks left to right instead of front to back?
Yeah just working on exactly which brackets I want :) I did yes, but wasn’t going to mount or look the way I wanted. With optics removed, they are perfect 👌🏻
Nice vid Parker, I couldn't help myself but play with the numbers, as the biggest virtue of LED is the energy savings. Lets compare MH to your LED setup. I'm running your LED full bore, as after seeing those PAR results, I reckon you'll need it if you're going SPS dominant. Start up cost: 4 Cozumal Sun reflectors ($595AU) + 4 x 400W bulbs ($355AU) + 4 Lumatek ballasts ($880AU) = $1,830 6 x Kessil A360X ($4800AU) + 3 x Philips Coral Care ($5400AU) + 4 x Orphek OR3 ($1280AU) = $11,480 Running Cost: MH (1.76kWh x .28c) x 12hrs = $5.91/Day. Per year = $2,157/Year. LED (1.1kWh x .28c) x 12hrs = $3.70/Day Per year = $1,350/Year Power Saving = $880/Year. Not accounting for yearly bulb replacement, break even = 10.97 Years. Accounting for bulb replacement (4x400w MH bulbs), break even = 8.2 Years. In this scenario there are two questions I ask, does the LED achieve a better result than MH and do the savings stack up. As MH users, you and I know the cover, PAR and shimmer are fantastic out of the box. The big issue with LED is that you have to use more LED to solve problems. Orphek to solve the blue issue, Kessil to solve the shimmer ect. As for the economics, the savings will come, but they are a long way away. You have to assume that all this plastic lasts the distance, otherwise there are no savings. Personally, I think you should have spent the $1,830 on MH lights, and the other $9,650 on solar panels. Good luck.
Thanks so much for taking the time to watch the video, do the math and comment! I'll give you my answers to your questions, but bare in mind - this are just my answers, each will have their own opinion! To make matters even more interesting, I already have reflectors and ballasts - so that cost would not have to be accounted for! OK firstly, when I ran MH before, I didn't run it on its own. I still had 6 Kessil A360x on a 6 foot tank to supplement it as well. Main reason being, you cant change the colour or intensity of MH and whilst I love the cool crisp white of MH during the day, I don't want them on first thing in the morning. Sure with 4, you could run 2 on and 2 off for sunrise/sunset but it would look a bit average. So you would have the expense (both purchase and running) of some supplement lighting as well. That does mean though that you wouldn't have to run the MH for 12 hours a day though, probably closer to 8. MH has a nice shimmer, but it aint kessil shimmer :D Next, not sure what bulbs you are running, but I only like Radium bulbs. They are closer to about $180au ea at the moment and are becoming incredibly difficult to get. I was getting quite concerned that bulb availability was going to be a problem in the future, to the point of pricing up a stockpile of 20 radium 400w bulbs (at a crazy price!) to last me 5 years, then tackle the problem again then. Bulb inconsistency is another issue, to get 4 exactly the same colour temperature, you could go through 5 or even 6 bulbs mixing and matching so it looks even. Less of a problem with Radium bulbs, but still happens. Heat is another factor you left out, there is a huge expense involved with cooling of both the tank and the house. We have already noticed a huge difference from not running the 2 400w halides in the lounge room, cant imagine adding 2 more. Lastly, the upfront cost of the fixtures is a expense that I personally wear, the quarterly electricity bills are a "family" expense. Keeping the family expenses as low as possible is a wise move to the longevity of your tank! We already have solar and that has been a life saver for the tank, offsetting the usage costs drastically. So I guess to wrap it up, the main reasons why to move away from MH was: Availability, consistency, heat and electricity usage. Do the Philips look as good? Yes, absolutely. Amazing spread like no other led I've ever seen.
I can't believe I am saying this but it's a great setup. I love a really blue look but I feel that a whiter look is better for acros. On my lights I have a blue and a white channel and there is only a couple of hours where I run them both together - then I saw that Yoshi I think does the same. I think you can get 120 degree optics - I am sure Telegraham has done it so just right to him on Instagram (his preferred channel). I would also run orphek bars along the front edge of the tank angled towards the back. Greg Carrol said he did this to get SPS growing forwards towards you so it is a really amazing view when standing and looking in at the tank (at a similar angle to the lights). Every light has it's advantages and disadvantages - for me the Phillips biggest will probably last forever and you will be able to swap out the LEDs down the track. I wouldn't run a hood but for those who do it's probably the most cost effective light. The amount of whites I think is a good thing... I know it's not essential but I would like a broader spectrum with UV, Cyan, 740nm... I always thought I'd ask Orphek to do a custom light bar if I wanted those. BTW they are the same LEDs as the bigger Orphek and that should be mounted 14" so I would guess the same with the Bars.... but I would get some 120 degree lenses onto those ;) Happy Reefing mate - It's an incredible build!
yeah I have had a few people mention about angling light for coral growth manipulation. To be honest, I don't think that is going to be an issue with the philips coral care - the spread is off the charts!
Use some stainless hose clamps to help the zip ties out while waiting for permanent solution..hate to see those lights hit the water . I never get tired of watching those lights and doors operate automatically like that...so awesome!
Nice light rack, are you not worried about getting salt creep on the power bars of the light due to evaporation, Over the long run will it not be an issue?
Hi Sam, I’ve been running the 2x coral care for 2 months in my mixed reef so far going really well . Tank is 1.6m long and finding I have a couple of lower par voids to the sides. How have you found the A360x? I am looking at getting some of these or one more coral care. Do the A370x run quietly? Cheers
Hey Matt, yeah with just 2 you probably are a little low on PAR in some spots. The A360x gives a lovely colour and shimmer to the tank, I am not sure they add a huge amount of punch though. They do run fairly quietly, obviously not as quiet as the PCC though :P
As always, great video for inspiration! your dream tank is also most of the reefer's dream tank. The video is great for me, I am currently planning my peninsula tank and is also looking for a way to mount the electronic legs to my 96x36x27H tank. Most of the legs don't go longer than 72 inches. If setting up the legs on one side only, would you think it might be too heavy to hold 8 feet of length?
Depending on what lights you're running, but yeah, I think that would test the strength of the structure reaching out 8 foot. The last thing you want is for it to fail and drop the lights in the tank, would make a huge mess.... Perhaps there might be an option to have a cable support with a roller or something at the far end? It wouldn't be overly visible but could work well? Alternatively, I'd take the light frame to an engineer and see if they can't add some additional supports to make it withstand the overhang?
@@ParkersReef Thanks, i am running ecotech radion pros and reefbrite on each side. Since then, i have made some researches and there are some TV motorized mount that could also work.
@@ParkersReef some of them could, but i am scare for the rack to drop in the tank now that you have mentioned it. Since the canopy can open on both side, i will mount it centered on one side on the 80\20 and have it move up and down from there. No need to make too many mods since the mount can be flush to the canopy unlike the desk legs in my case.
Impresive light you created. Is the light unit in the midlle have enough space to cool off? You have something on top of it. Next time plase shou us only the blue spectrum from the Coral care2 only.
Hello Sir, I copied your motorized light rig and I have three coral care gen 2's above my 210 gallon reef. Can you provide details with respect to your lighting schedule and intensity? I have my lights suspended six inches above the water surface and the tank is 29 inches deep. They are currently running at 26% intensity, and I'm using the preset deep reef schedule. I'd like to optimize my lights but I am finding little to no information on this topic. It's a mixed reef. Thanks in advance.
I run my lights at 100 blue and 80 white most of the day with a ramp up and down at each end. Not a lot of info out there as you can’t get it wrong with coral cares. Adjust to what you like the look off and you’re done :)
Nice looking lights, im currently setting up a new tank and have gone with Ati Straton’s very similar to the Phillip’s format, did you not consider them?
I sure did! ATI make great t5 fixtures but I haven’t been sold on their leds. Doesn’t mean they aren’t amazing, I just wanted to go for a huge lighting company :)
@@ParkersReef i can understand that, there pretty new and not alot of reviews to be fair. Looking forward to the rest of your build some good ideas you coming up with and your light rig gave me the inspiration for mine👍
@@smilersreef3943 I’m sure they are likely a very good light (the spread looks equally amazing). It’s just the lack of support in Aus and the bad experience a lot had here with the hybrid unit they made that puts me off
You certainly brightened up 💡my morning watching this video Sam 🤣🤣 Seriously though, you covered comprehensively all bases regarding anything to do with the tank lighting, and future kessil additions, your certainly a man on a mission. 👍🏴 😯 Did you watch that video I suggested on live rock ? 🤔
@@ParkersReef It’s from Marine Depot Aquarium Supplies/dry or Live Rock: 3 Glass Walls With Reefbum Part 8 Dated 16 November 2020 Hope this helps you out 👍🏴
Nice, light setup. Enjoying your tank build so far. Are you happy with the light bleed from between the water and hood of the tank? Personally if the hood was 15mm lower it would stop the spill.
Yeah that was not originally in the plan and was not actually the result prior to me adjusting the stand once the cabinets arrived. I ended up trading off the 8mm of light bleed at the waters surface to cover the silicon and part of the sand bed at the bottom. I can potentially lower the canopy down that distance (was my plan at the time) but I must admit, I actually like the little "window" into the tank now! With it all built in and being so super quiet, it's handy to be able to tell at a glance that the tank is running. I used to be able to hear the wave makers on my old setup and that put me at ease as I was leaving the house in the morning to go to work. This is the new equivalent for me :P If it ends up being annoying, I'll lower the canopy though :D
To be honest, the par values are not out of this world, but the spread is very very handy and it is certainly in the "zone" for growing any type of coral anywhere in the tank without fear of under or over lighting (which was the goal!)
Hey mate. Awesome vid! Where did you buy the 80/20 from? I'm in Melbourne too csnt seem to find anywhere to do a custom mount for my Ai hydras. Cheers mate
Given your canopy design/setup, did you ever consider angling the light fixtures towards the back for a more top-down growth aesthetic from the frontal view? Not sure if that aesthetic is to your liking or if you are familiar with it but figured I'd sate the curiosity and just ask 🙃 Edit: Given the OR3 optics downside, consider talking with Tuillio about a Reefbrite option filling the same niche usage should you decide the spectrum and/or spread+intensity from the OR3 arent quite suiting your uses.
I think some people may find details such as overall power consumption and how many "power points" in total are used useful when everything is all completed. When starting it's something I think people underestimate, or maybe it's just me who did.
Budget is pretty well gone... But that's ok, was to be expected. I haven't "officially" added up how much I've spent so far, I suspect it is around $45k though. Not cheap, but man I am happy with it!
I just commented the same thing. Definitely never trust a single zip tie. I’d have 2 or 3 on each side of each light. Not needed for the weight, just for redundancy just in case.
there is no person in this hobby with these lights who could not grow even the most demanding corals. It's just marketing and the American preference that radeons are best. There are also other brands that do same like radeon like GNC also very popular in europe. Maybe not best controller but very good and powerfull lights :)
@@ParkersReef sure, never said they are bad. They are great but there is few more good lignts too, as you will see for philips lignts, you will be satisfied also😁
In the US, we like our lights on the bluer side so when you turn all the whites down on the CoralCare it’s not the best value. Also it’s more expensive than other options. Also the fact that you need an external controller in 2020 is a little annoying.
Sure did and they are great lights. I don’t think they have better spread than the Philips though and whilst being half the price I would have needed 6-8 units over this tank :)
PAR reading 100% on both channels. I think the most reefers not will have more than 30% white to 100% blue so there will be a lot lower PAR. If they don't get the job done without help from other light is not good enough for me.
At least do 4 zip ties on each fixture, zip ties after time dry out and snap really easily. I haven’t seen the problem inside but over all that salt water I would at least use more than 2
For all concerned, each Coral Care now has 4x 8mm heavy duty zip ties holding them up :D
Happy to design and 3D print up some brackets for the Coral Cares to fit on the 8020 if you like.
So im beginning to plan my dream tank (130cm x130cm 60cm with central overflow) and I find myself watching your videos more and more. Your equipment videos are excellent, mostly because you explain your thought process well, and whilst I won’t be copying them I have taken a number of ideas and primarily your methodology for making decisions.
Amazing job man…
Appreciate that, thank you! Good luck with your dream build!!!
Looks good, I like the look with lights visible. Very tidy.
Thanks!
I agree. Looks really nice without the canopy. Regardless, this whole set up is gorgeous.
Orpheks are legendary .Great choice
the orphek have probably been my least favourite addition to the tank. Not sure they add a lot other than heat and power consumption :D
I am a fresh water planted/aquascape aquarium guy, yet your light testing is super relevant to any aquarist. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
The way you pressed the button and the lid came up you were smiling inside 🤣🤣 love it !
Smiling all over mate :p
Don't think I will ever tire of the hood on this tank opening and the lights raising.
Love this build and keep up the great content bro 👏 👌
Hahah thanks mate, me too 😬
I like the way you are sitting up your aquarium without rushing
Can’t rush these things!!
Looking good buddy, agree about the kessils! you can't beat the kessil shimmer.
They just look so damned beautiful 😍
Just love they way things are coming definitely a dream tank with the automatic hood and light mount love it
Thanks mate!
They look awesome Sam. Love to see them in real life!
Welcome anytime mate!!
Coming along amazing.it must be adding up 20/30 k . But no point cutting corners on dream tank very very nice . Well done
Certainly not cheap!!
@@ParkersReef will be will worth it 👍😀
You bet mate!
As someone who's considering entering the hobby I started watching your "Idiot proof reef tank" series. Honestly the best build series I could find for a beginner like me. Now ended up watching your entire dream build series as well 😂. Thanks for the great content, cannot wait to see this build finished! 😁
Thanks so much for joining in the adventures! Good luck with your new build :)
Hey love the fixing and cable management for lights.... great work ..
Thank you 🙏🏻
I’m Loving watching your new tank build videos, can’t wait until your next one, all I want to say is, white cable ties and keep up the great work, see you soon Colin 🏴
Appreciate it Colin! Why the white cable ties though? Black lights hide the black cable ties well 😅
@@ParkersReef I was just thinking about the front where you can see them, but I see your point about the cables I never thought of that😊, I will just keep my pointless opinions to myself in future 😂, that one seriously impressive tank you’ve got there and very expensive, really can’t wait until the corals and fish go in, anyway I’m blethering on here, see you soon 🏴
Hi Sam, do you think 3 x coral care gen 2 will be enough for a 2.4m long, 56cm deep and 75cm high tank? I can see that you have added more lights. We are still investigating options but want an aesthetically pleasing light as it'll be hung from the ceiling and we don't have a light canopy to cover it
at 2.4m, I would go 4 Philips coral care gen 2 :)
@@ParkersReef Thanks Sam. What is a reliable place to purchase the lights if I'm based in Melbourne?
Hi Sam, how you still liking the coralcares? I am about to go down the avenue of setting up my big teef tank and liking the robust nature/lack of fans on the coralcares. Would you go for anything else if you could now?
Couldn’t love anything more about the corals cares even to this day. Such a brilliant light, perfect for larger tanks
Thanks for the reply Sam, much appreciated. Love your channel
@iangibson9982 anytime! Thanks for watching
I think with the Kessils you will have hit the mark on the lighting. I have the Kessils and Orphek OR3 and the compliment each other well. The Phillips will do well in adding the fill lighting. I think the BRS tests came to the conclusion that if you tried to make the Phillips run at the AB+ color they would not grow sps since you have to turn them down so much. If you run them the way you intend you should have less of an issue, but with the Kessils and Orphek you will have the best mix.
Yeah I think it should meet my needs perfectly. I’m not a modern “blue wash” reefer, so will suit me even more :)
Looks great Sam, great par too. I use 4 Orphek v4 gen 2s and two or2 120 blue bars recommended height is 14" for spread for both but think you can get wider angle lenses for the bars if using lower .
I was gonna say the same thing I have my Atlantics at around 16 inches above the water and as recommended is around 14 inches above the water
Yeah I want them closer as the Philips only need 6-7 inches. I’ll either grab some wider lenses, or just remove the lenses :)
@@ParkersReef Waiting on you to do this as this is my next project
@@StNovaSt its dead simple mate, a talented man like yourself will find no trouble at all removing them!
I’ve used the same Par meter and found it’s a correction of 1.08 for immersion still good numbers and looking great
I have a three par meter par-off coming this week!
Nice lights, I see so many Aquariums from Europe using ATI Straton LED's as well.
I haven’t seen many of the stratons yet, lots asking me about them but I’m yet to see a tank with them on. Got links to any? I’d love to check them out
I agree on adding the Kessel’s. They are better than any other led fixture when it comes to shimmer.
Your fixtures look great. I’m sure when you tidy it up as you say, it will look great in that crazy cool light lift you built.
I often hear people make the comments about correcting the readings on the PAR meters when reading LED’s. I tend to believe that knowing your tanks PAR is a reference and not like measuring alk. You really only need to do it once and at colonies start to shadow and you measure it again, just use the same brand meter. The corals will aclimate anyway.
Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. Kessil will certainly add that gorgeous shimmer and I agree about getting a baseline PAR to refer back to 👍🏻
You got all the bases covered Sam, will look pretty awsome with the Kessils, couldn't really see the shimmer on the video. Love the clean set up, you have thought of everything
Cheers mate :)
Hey Sam, Did you ever posted your lightning schedule? I am very interested in it.
I don't think I did and to be honest, there is nothing special to it. Pick a colour and intensity you like, run that for 8-10 hours and ramp up/down to/from that for an hour each end :)
You run them at 100% intensity?
@@BrechtLouage I do yes
L bracket with a T nut should be able to fix the mounting of the coral cares for you? Did you consider running the orpheks left to right instead of front to back?
Yeah just working on exactly which brackets I want :)
I did yes, but wasn’t going to mount or look the way I wanted. With optics removed, they are perfect 👌🏻
Nice vid Parker, I couldn't help myself but play with the numbers, as the biggest virtue of LED is the energy savings. Lets compare MH to your LED setup. I'm running your LED full bore, as after seeing those PAR results, I reckon you'll need it if you're going SPS dominant.
Start up cost:
4 Cozumal Sun reflectors ($595AU) + 4 x 400W bulbs ($355AU) + 4 Lumatek ballasts ($880AU) = $1,830
6 x Kessil A360X ($4800AU) + 3 x Philips Coral Care ($5400AU) + 4 x Orphek OR3 ($1280AU) = $11,480
Running Cost:
MH (1.76kWh x .28c) x 12hrs = $5.91/Day. Per year = $2,157/Year.
LED (1.1kWh x .28c) x 12hrs = $3.70/Day Per year = $1,350/Year
Power Saving = $880/Year.
Not accounting for yearly bulb replacement, break even = 10.97 Years.
Accounting for bulb replacement (4x400w MH bulbs), break even = 8.2 Years.
In this scenario there are two questions I ask, does the LED achieve a better result than MH and do the savings stack up. As MH users, you and I know the cover, PAR and shimmer are fantastic out of the box. The big issue with LED is that you have to use more LED to solve problems. Orphek to solve the blue issue, Kessil to solve the shimmer ect. As for the economics, the savings will come, but they are a long way away. You have to assume that all this plastic lasts the distance, otherwise there are no savings.
Personally, I think you should have spent the $1,830 on MH lights, and the other $9,650 on solar panels. Good luck.
Thanks so much for taking the time to watch the video, do the math and comment! I'll give you my answers to your questions, but bare in mind - this are just my answers, each will have their own opinion!
To make matters even more interesting, I already have reflectors and ballasts - so that cost would not have to be accounted for!
OK firstly, when I ran MH before, I didn't run it on its own. I still had 6 Kessil A360x on a 6 foot tank to supplement it as well. Main reason being, you cant change the colour or intensity of MH and whilst I love the cool crisp white of MH during the day, I don't want them on first thing in the morning. Sure with 4, you could run 2 on and 2 off for sunrise/sunset but it would look a bit average. So you would have the expense (both purchase and running) of some supplement lighting as well. That does mean though that you wouldn't have to run the MH for 12 hours a day though, probably closer to 8. MH has a nice shimmer, but it aint kessil shimmer :D
Next, not sure what bulbs you are running, but I only like Radium bulbs. They are closer to about $180au ea at the moment and are becoming incredibly difficult to get. I was getting quite concerned that bulb availability was going to be a problem in the future, to the point of pricing up a stockpile of 20 radium 400w bulbs (at a crazy price!) to last me 5 years, then tackle the problem again then.
Bulb inconsistency is another issue, to get 4 exactly the same colour temperature, you could go through 5 or even 6 bulbs mixing and matching so it looks even. Less of a problem with Radium bulbs, but still happens.
Heat is another factor you left out, there is a huge expense involved with cooling of both the tank and the house. We have already noticed a huge difference from not running the 2 400w halides in the lounge room, cant imagine adding 2 more.
Lastly, the upfront cost of the fixtures is a expense that I personally wear, the quarterly electricity bills are a "family" expense. Keeping the family expenses as low as possible is a wise move to the longevity of your tank! We already have solar and that has been a life saver for the tank, offsetting the usage costs drastically.
So I guess to wrap it up, the main reasons why to move away from MH was: Availability, consistency, heat and electricity usage. Do the Philips look as good? Yes, absolutely. Amazing spread like no other led I've ever seen.
I can't believe I am saying this but it's a great setup. I love a really blue look but I feel that a whiter look is better for acros. On my lights I have a blue and a white channel and there is only a couple of hours where I run them both together - then I saw that Yoshi I think does the same.
I think you can get 120 degree optics - I am sure Telegraham has done it so just right to him on Instagram (his preferred channel). I would also run orphek bars along the front edge of the tank angled towards the back. Greg Carrol said he did this to get SPS growing forwards towards you so it is a really amazing view when standing and looking in at the tank (at a similar angle to the lights).
Every light has it's advantages and disadvantages - for me the Phillips biggest will probably last forever and you will be able to swap out the LEDs down the track. I wouldn't run a hood but for those who do it's probably the most cost effective light. The amount of whites I think is a good thing... I know it's not essential but I would like a broader spectrum with UV, Cyan, 740nm... I always thought I'd ask Orphek to do a custom light bar if I wanted those. BTW they are the same LEDs as the bigger Orphek and that should be mounted 14" so I would guess the same with the Bars.... but I would get some 120 degree lenses onto those ;)
Happy Reefing mate - It's an incredible build!
I heard an interview with the designer (RNN)... the blue doesn't shimmer - only the whites do - this was done to be like the ocean ;)
yeah I have had a few people mention about angling light for coral growth manipulation. To be honest, I don't think that is going to be an issue with the philips coral care - the spread is off the charts!
that is interesting about the blue not providing shimmer but the white doing so - pretty cool!
Use some stainless hose clamps to help the zip ties out while waiting for permanent solution..hate to see those lights hit the water . I never get tired of watching those lights and doors operate automatically like that...so awesome!
Haha thank you :)
Does the fixture come with a different diffuser option? Kessils have such a small spread for tank that size
The Philips? No, they’ve put a heap of work into that diffuser so that’s the only option.
how high do you have the lights above the waterline?
I have them about 20 inches above my waterline
Does it really have better spread then orpheks and the new radions?
Yeah it does, spread is huge. That being said, it is a much larger fixture - so it would want more spread!
Nice light rack, are you not worried about getting salt creep on the power bars of the light due to evaporation, Over the long run will it not be an issue?
Just give them a wipe off every couple months. The hood is ventilated with a fan 24/7 too which makes a huge difference in salt creep
Hi Sam, I’ve been running the 2x coral care for 2 months in my mixed reef so far going really well . Tank is 1.6m long and finding I have a couple of lower par voids to the sides. How have you found the A360x? I am looking at getting some of these or one more coral care. Do the A370x run quietly? Cheers
Hey Matt, yeah with just 2 you probably are a little low on PAR in some spots. The A360x gives a lovely colour and shimmer to the tank, I am not sure they add a huge amount of punch though. They do run fairly quietly, obviously not as quiet as the PCC though :P
As always, great video for inspiration! your dream tank is also most of the reefer's dream tank. The video is great for me, I am currently planning my peninsula tank and is also looking for a way to mount the electronic legs to my 96x36x27H tank. Most of the legs don't go longer than 72 inches. If setting up the legs on one side only, would you think it might be too heavy to hold 8 feet of length?
Depending on what lights you're running, but yeah, I think that would test the strength of the structure reaching out 8 foot. The last thing you want is for it to fail and drop the lights in the tank, would make a huge mess....
Perhaps there might be an option to have a cable support with a roller or something at the far end? It wouldn't be overly visible but could work well?
Alternatively, I'd take the light frame to an engineer and see if they can't add some additional supports to make it withstand the overhang?
@@ParkersReef Thanks, i am running ecotech radion pros and reefbrite on each side. Since then, i have made some researches and there are some TV motorized mount that could also work.
Yes they certainly could work if you can mount from the ceiling?
@@ParkersReef some of them could, but i am scare for the rack to drop in the tank now that you have mentioned it. Since the canopy can open on both side, i will mount it centered on one side on the 80\20 and have it move up and down from there. No need to make too many mods since the mount can be flush to the canopy unlike the desk legs in my case.
@@i2eef sounds perfect mate
Can you add a silicone diffuser on the Orphek to diffuse the beams? You going to add some fans in that hood?
No need for silicon diffuser, with lens removed it creates a nice spread - I am happy :)
The hood already has a ventilation fan up into the ceiling :)
Are you going to be using the liter meter for auto water changes on this build?
I will absolutely be going auto water changes, looking at either Versa or Litermeter3
Impresive light you created. Is the light unit in the midlle have enough space to cool off? You have something on top of it. Next time plase shou us only the blue spectrum from the Coral care2 only.
Yeah plenty of room for cooling. You bet I can show blue only on the coral care, it’ll look funny on camera though as it is a lot of blue!!
With so many lights and your top closed in what heat is this giving off?
By the way I’m not putting it down great system and great setup. Love seeing this tank build 👍🏻👍🏻
A little, but not much. The top has a fan ducted up to the ceiling to pull heat and moisture out :)
Hi Sam, I’m having trouble finding an Australian distributor for the Gen2 Coral Care. Any pointers?
Australian distributor is OZ Aquarium Distributors 👍🏻
Thanks mate. I assume there pretty much silent operation with no fans? Current lights are driving the house crazy with fan noise in the lounge room
Silent mate :)
Sam that is one spectacular setup. I look forward to the updates every week.
Cheers mate!
can you do a mini video of how you are using the desk? to raise the lights up and down please
He has one. Please look in his video library.
Here you go:
th-cam.com/video/hsMScJZIiIQ/w-d-xo.html
yes indeed, check out the DIY light frame video!
Hello, any update on lens removal on orphek bars? Have You did it? Any major difference in PAR numbers?
Just finished filming this episode now. Didn’t have a par meter handy but the spread difference is huge! Video goes live in a couple days :)
@@ParkersReef thanks, looking forward for Your video!
@@Pawelo002 not long now mate!
Awesome video mate
Cheers
@@ParkersReef no worries mate, would awesome to have you on my collaboration video
@@KingsAquariumsAndReptileRoom still cant find the first collaboration video, can you link me?
@@ParkersReef here is the link th-cam.com/video/D8rAwtfO_zk/w-d-xo.html
Hey Sam, how heavy are the phillips lights? Could potentially 3d print a mount that slides over the extrusion?
They’ve got a bit of weight to them! But in all seriousness, thank you - but it’s all good. It actually looks very neat in person 😅
7kg
That scape is very nice.
Thank you 🙏🏻
Hello Sir, I copied your motorized light rig and I have three coral care gen 2's above my 210 gallon reef. Can you provide details with respect to your lighting schedule and intensity? I have my lights suspended six inches above the water surface and the tank is 29 inches deep. They are currently running at 26% intensity, and I'm using the preset deep reef schedule. I'd like to optimize my lights but I am finding little to no information on this topic. It's a mixed reef. Thanks in advance.
I run my lights at 100 blue and 80 white most of the day with a ramp up and down at each end.
Not a lot of info out there as you can’t get it wrong with coral cares. Adjust to what you like the look off and you’re done :)
@@ParkersReef thank you! When you say 100 blue and 80 white, are you describing intensity also?
Sorry yes, 100% strength. Slider set to 60/40 on the cool side
@@ParkersReef thank you.
Beautiful mate 👍 can you link me on the review you did on the prototype please
You bet! Here is part one:
th-cam.com/video/DSnmAif4-KI/w-d-xo.html
And part two:
th-cam.com/video/PaE9lCTPMBk/w-d-xo.html
Did u ever take look at the ATI STRATON
Tried to, but there is no information out there on it :)
Nice looking lights, im currently setting up a new tank and have gone with Ati Straton’s very similar to the Phillip’s format, did you not consider them?
I sure did! ATI make great t5 fixtures but I haven’t been sold on their leds. Doesn’t mean they aren’t amazing, I just wanted to go for a huge lighting company :)
@@ParkersReef i can understand that, there pretty new and not alot of reviews to be fair.
Looking forward to the rest of your build some good ideas you coming up with and your light rig gave me the inspiration for mine👍
@@smilersreef3943 I’m sure they are likely a very good light (the spread looks equally amazing).
It’s just the lack of support in Aus and the bad experience a lot had here with the hybrid unit they made that puts me off
What kind of par meter is that? I tried looking it up but nothing came up
It’s an apogee. I have a comparison against it, the new apogee and a seneye coming this week!
Hi man, great lights. One question this raising module where did you get it?
hey mate, check out the video here:
th-cam.com/video/hsMScJZIiIQ/w-d-xo.html
You certainly brightened up 💡my morning watching this video Sam 🤣🤣
Seriously though, you covered comprehensively all bases regarding anything to do with the tank lighting, and future kessil additions, your certainly a man on a mission. 👍🏴
😯
Did you watch that video I suggested on live rock ? 🤔
I haven’t yet John, had a hectic weekend. Will get onto it today!
@@ParkersReef
Good man 👍🏴
@@johnbrand1893 do you have the link handy again (sorry)? I am trying to track down your other comment :D
@@ParkersReef
It’s from Marine Depot Aquarium Supplies/dry or Live Rock: 3 Glass Walls With Reefbum Part 8
Dated 16 November 2020
Hope this helps you out 👍🏴
Thank you sir 🙏🏻
Nice, light setup. Enjoying your tank build so far.
Are you happy with the light bleed from between the water and hood of the tank? Personally if the hood was 15mm lower it would stop the spill.
Yeah that was not originally in the plan and was not actually the result prior to me adjusting the stand once the cabinets arrived. I ended up trading off the 8mm of light bleed at the waters surface to cover the silicon and part of the sand bed at the bottom. I can potentially lower the canopy down that distance (was my plan at the time) but I must admit, I actually like the little "window" into the tank now!
With it all built in and being so super quiet, it's handy to be able to tell at a glance that the tank is running. I used to be able to hear the wave makers on my old setup and that put me at ease as I was leaving the house in the morning to go to work. This is the new equivalent for me :P
If it ends up being annoying, I'll lower the canopy though :D
That is some damn PAR ...looks like you could grow SPS from your couch hahah
To be honest, the par values are not out of this world, but the spread is very very handy and it is certainly in the "zone" for growing any type of coral anywhere in the tank without fear of under or over lighting (which was the goal!)
@@ParkersReef hell yea... as long as you put a nice Wilsoni in for me I’ll be happy XD
Hahaha will see what I can do
Hey mate. Awesome vid! Where did you buy the 80/20 from? I'm in Melbourne too csnt seem to find anywhere to do a custom mount for my Ai hydras. Cheers mate
Hey Niko, if just chasing basic 8020, check out MK aluminium :)
Given your canopy design/setup, did you ever consider angling the light fixtures towards the back for a more top-down growth aesthetic from the frontal view? Not sure if that aesthetic is to your liking or if you are familiar with it but figured I'd sate the curiosity and just ask 🙃
Edit: Given the OR3 optics downside, consider talking with Tuillio about a Reefbrite option filling the same niche usage should you decide the spectrum and/or spread+intensity from the OR3 arent quite suiting your uses.
OR3 are suiting me well :)
I would have considered reef brite, but they still aren’t in australia :/
I think some people may find details such as overall power consumption and how many "power points" in total are used useful when everything is all completed. When starting it's something I think people underestimate, or maybe it's just me who did.
Yeah that’s a good point and something I think I can accommodate 🙏🏻
Sb reef Light has True uv... Soooo nice
Not sure we can get them down under, will have to take a look
Tank is coming along nicely! Can't wait to see more! How long till stocking?
Im not in any rush to get livestock in there, may have something in for Christmas, we'll see :)
Я Вас правильно понял, Вы вытащили линзы чтобы свет был рассеянный?
Я снял линзы с орфеков, чтобы было больше
@@ParkersReef Спасибо
Ya gotta have kessil... just because mostly... i had 8-t5 and 4 kessils just because their so damn awsome!
I will admit that I am a kessil fanboy :p
@@ParkersReef i did kessil + or3 on my one tank, but its mounted across not front-to-back.
@@jordanb8591 nice nice
How big is the tank
210cmX90cmX75cm
Hey mate I've gotta ask how much did you think you would spend on your dream tank ??
And how much have you got left in that budget lol
Budget is pretty well gone... But that's ok, was to be expected. I haven't "officially" added up how much I've spent so far, I suspect it is around $45k though. Not cheap, but man I am happy with it!
That's all that matters.
Cheers man
Go on, whack another zip tie on each side of those lights :)
Probably not a bad idea hey.... or I could get off my bum and sort out the 8020 mounts 😅
@@ParkersReef Na, just another couple zip ties :)
They are thick zip ties at least 😅
I just commented the same thing. Definitely never trust a single zip tie. I’d have 2 or 3 on each side of each light. Not needed for the weight, just for redundancy just in case.
there is no person in this hobby with these lights who could not grow even the most demanding corals. It's just marketing and the American preference that radeons are best. There are also other brands that do same like radeon like GNC also very popular in europe. Maybe not best controller but very good and powerfull lights :)
Hey there is nothing wrong with radions, they are a great light - but they are certainly not the only thing that can grow a reef that is for sure!!
@@ParkersReef sure, never said they are bad. They are great but there is few more good lignts too, as you will see for philips lignts, you will be satisfied also😁
In the US, we like our lights on the bluer side so when you turn all the whites down on the CoralCare it’s not the best value. Also it’s more expensive than other options. Also the fact that you need an external controller in 2020 is a little annoying.
Yeah I keep hearing people saying they need "more blue", honestly I thought I would too - till I turned it on :)
Great video as always 😎 But when measuring I'm pretty sure Australia uses metric like 95% of the world population. Own it 😉
We do, however we usually still talk inches for light mounting height. 327 millimetres doesn’t have the same ring to it 😂😅
Philip was the first on the scene with diffused reef lighting. Everyone is now riding their coattails trying to play catch up.
Yeah I would believe that!
Did you look at Ecotech Gen5 Blue LEDS? They're about half the price of the Philips LEDs with better PAR and spread.
Sure did and they are great lights. I don’t think they have better spread than the Philips though and whilst being half the price I would have needed 6-8 units over this tank :)
Nice 200+ on sand bed Sps everywhere
That’s it mate!!
But not too much to burn some lower light requirement corals
Please dabble or trouble the zeppelin
For safety all the best 👍
Certainly wouldn’t hurt hey 😬
I was really wanting the Phillips coral care mostly because my sharks like to splash
Yeah no fans make these pretty resilient to splashing!
Reguarding the orpheks, they have different lenses available
ooooh really? Got a link to more information?
PAR reading 100% on both channels. I think the most reefers not will have more than 30% white to 100% blue so there will be a lot lower PAR. If they don't get the job done without help from other light is not good enough for me.
Have you seen the Philips at 100 blue and 30 white?
ATI Straton >3333333.. Greeting from Germany
They look great, just no info out there? Perhaps there is in Germany?
Sam please put some extra back up zip ties on your Philips. Never trust a single zip tie 👍
Will do!
wow😱
Thanks mate!
not so impressed of the light but very impressed of the tank
Thank you :)
Mate can you get me a job? Wouldn’t mind buying one of them let alone 3 🤦♂️😂
Yeah certainly not cheap!!
Ordered two of them 🤞 wish me luck
you won't look back mate, amazing lights!
@@ParkersReef 🤙🍕😎
At least do 4 zip ties on each fixture, zip ties after time dry out and snap really easily. I haven’t seen the problem inside but over all that salt water I would at least use more than 2
The zip ties are just temporary :p
over 3000$ just for lightning XD mine not over 200$ for my 150g tank doing perfectly well
Glad to hear 👍🏻
on the next video please show samp
Samp? If you mean sump, I have a few videos on it!
@@ParkersReef Yes, I mean how the sump works.
I did a video on just that mate, check it out here:
th-cam.com/video/uwK9SResgV0/w-d-xo.html
Plz double up them zipties, its making me squeamish just looking at only 1 per side😵🥴
Everyone is so worried about the zip ties! But yes, I’ll get the permanent solution ASAP :)