Best of the Year: The Absolute BEST of Reef Tank Lighting!

[@LAMNguyen-sd8mo]

Thanks for this. Been waiting for this for years now. More please

[@dusk1947]

Question, when is the hybrid mount for the Blade coming out? Specifically the one which allows the fixture to be mounted with the EcoTech RMS system

[@StaffyAndTheReef]

I just picked up the blade as my primary for the 30gal sps dominated tank I have running. It looks beautiful, with amazing par distribution, and I can add the glow for the absolutely perfect spectrum while cranking them both down. Love my purchase and thank you for the super fast shipping.

[@luckyday4134]

You guys are awesome I appreciate your content. But I'm still rocking the black box with no lenses.

[@emiliocovarrubias2017]

Like the Radion but I chose to replace MH with Kessil. I was impressed. 3 pucks over a 300 gallon reef and sps growth for my system has exploded. Superb shimmer adjust top surface flow and the swimming pool diamond pattern was insane.

[@d.waller9722]

Went with 3 Grow and 2 Glow over my RedSea Reefer 425G2. Best T5 replacement ever offered to date. I’m so impressed and my corals have responded huge !!! So Happy and so impressed !

[@richarddesimone960]

Share some videos to your channel 😅

[@darrengill6699]

Great source of info, love you guys as always. You nail it for sure and tie in the blanks that makes sense.

[@OxusReef]

for a DIMS aquarium: Length 30” Width: 23.6” Height: 16.1” ( EXT 50 Gallon Complete Reef System - White - Innovative Marine) recommend 2 Radion XR15 blue or prefer a Radion XR30; considering for SPS and LPS few zoas, thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@carlosthereefer]

I notice no mention of the Neptune Sky. I'm curious to know how you guys are feeling about the Sky at this point. I'm running three in my system and continue to be pleased.

[@blaynebrain5525]

I think that if you want a blanket of light the best options are : sky,Orphek, straton .. seems like this video features heavy on the AI/Radion lines ..

[@violenta79]

I was wondering the same thing. I am running 2 SKYs on the sides with a Kessil A360x in the middle over my 155g corner tank. I feel like I want more pop from the corals, so I tried a coral glow blade since all the love they are getting lately, but I feel like I put so much stock in the SKYs and hate not seeing them get any love at all is a bummer.

[@rowgegaming5048]

There was a pretty severe backlash at the Neptune Sky at launch. My personal opinion is that was mostly irrational purchase defense and there were some pretty comical "teardowns" of the light. Never really saw any "teardowns" of any other lights to question every design decision either, the whole thing was really weird. I think part of it was people didn't like Terrance, the Neptune rep. Oh well, they are great lights. twice the footprint of the XR30s and 1/2lb lighter. Really the best option for high end show style peninsula tanks imho.

[@rubenespinosa1685]

Ahhh Ahhh 😂😂😂that guy just kills me with every Ahhh he says such a intelligent man with that word Ahh coming out of ever sentence 😂 Rambling Ryan.Livd your vid’s man but Ahhh😮 got me saying it now👍🏼👍🏼

[@shadowofthestarsdespair]

the problem i have with the blade grow is no uv at all..... i want at least 2 and i dont want 2 lights on my nano tanks seems excessive like the blade but would like a hybrid of the grow and glow

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

I like the idea of the blade for LPS but I need a cover. I wonder if Kraken makes a lid with cutouts..

[@enhncr]

Kessil all the time!!🤪🤩🤪🤩🤪 once I bought them I can’t stop buying them 🤣

[@lakedistrict9450]

Very helpful channel. Thank you.

[@Kenny_Edmonton]

I want to get Radion xr15’s for my waterbox 50.3 but thinking either Neptune sky or kessil AP9X

[@ssnakeey]

And when will you conduct any tests of the Nicrew Reef Lights? :)

[@zozocreek8327]

Picked up two g6 xr15 best light I’ve ever had. Got it from brs. Note: you need to supplement xr15 if you want acros. The par ain’t there. Pick up xr 30 if sps dominated.

[@MiddleAgedMike]

I have 4 XR15s over a 6ft tank pretty packed with sps. Par is 250 on the sand bed and 350-400 on the top half.

[@6jdhd]

What really gets me is there is nothing about the orphek lights. There more powerful than the xr30, and one fixture is good for a 4f x 2 f x 2f tank when you need 2 gen 6 radions And the blade from what I am seeing a lot of people are getting rid of the blade because there bleaching their corals at any intensity. And there par reading on the orphek and the radion g6. And the orphek put out way more par then the g6 look on reef2reef the testing is there.

[@Andrew-G77]

I think you’re missing the point of this video, which is just “buy the AI Blade”!

[@bryant026]

Orphek LED by far the best lights on the markets

[@raisethereef]

Because the truth is the Orphek can’t cover that area. Go look at any decent tank under Orphek. They have them sideways and as many as they can fit. The lens requires a higher mounting point (good for some, bad for others) and the software is not nearly as polished as everything else. Anyone bleaching corals with the Blade is using them wrong. Going on 3 months as my sole source of light at almost 100% across the board. Over 450 PAR at the top of my rocks. Not a single coral has bleached or shown any signs of stress. Don’t blame the hammer when you don’t know how to use it and smash your finger.

[@6jdhd]

@Ryan Thompson. Sorry you're wrong. Go throw each orphek thread. The ones that are sideways are the really big tanks that are 30 to 40 inches wide. You will still need way more radion on those tanks than the orphek.

[@talsweet1902]

Orphek is the only brand with quality matching performance and price point. I'm SO happy I went with them. The Philips is high quality too if you want a T-5 look.

[@ReefrJoe]

How come sound level is never mentioned. Seems like a important aspect. I have XR15 G5s, and the fans are super loud.

[@AlbertHoffman-mb6tv]

Newbie here.. I'm buying my 1st light for an aquarium I won at reefapolloza! It is a 11 gallon cube. I saw a good rule of thumb for reef it's 4 to 8 W per gallon.. I need a 30 W or 50 W? Thanx

[@blaynebrain5525]

I would just get a blade or prime for that

[@Howitzer43715]

No mention of the redsea reefled?

[@lenny62868]

BRS has switched to a bias towards the brands that they own and don't include 3rd parties in their reviews or studies.

[@bopeep7806]

Best subtle shimmer is a gen 6 with diffuser:)

[@nataliabrooks7517]

Do you guys have any info about lights that I can buy at my local pet store? I was looking into a light at my local PetSmart. I plan on getting coral and I need a better light than what I have. Could I use the Fluval Marine Nano LED Light on my 36 bow front tank ? Would it be effective enough for some soft coral?

[@martinouellette4742]

Anyone using the Blades and some netting? Just wondering if the super low profile brackets would work or not. 🤔

[@jayfuller3709]

Hi! I will be starting a Reef rank fairly soon in a 40 Breeder. I have low top clearance & a full cover. Just enough to open the top. I have been using Hygger lighting on my Freshwater planted tanks, they sit on the tank. The shelf it is sitting on is a wide mesh shelf.What is available for this in a 36" tank???

[@mikkostenberg1740]

I'd claim that a rectangular ring strip LED light might be something to develope. With similar lenses and spread as the Blades have in two sizes like 10" and 14" might cover many situations with good coverage and no hot spot in the centre. If one really needs to one could still put a smaller spot light like a Kessil in the centre. 🤔

[@klaute2]

Could you please show the graph which shows the price to par comparison? Do you have other ranking graphs?

[@reefmagick446]

I just ordered an inovativemarine sr 120 and want some lighting ideas

[@anthonys7976]

What would be the best for directly on top of the glass on a 40 breeder? I’m really looking for no light leak or as little as possible. My other choice was the Ai Prime, but after watching this the Blade seems like a good fit. Is a single Ai Prime even enough for a 40 breeder that just has nems, rock flowers, and mushrooms all within the center 24" of the tank? Currently using 2x36" Current Orbit Marine lights and they work well but lack any UV so everything lacks color. I’d also take any suggestions for any supplemental UV only lights just to get the best color out of all my nems.

[@richarddesimone960]

Im still useing my XR30 gen3 😅.. hasent died yet! But i am expecting it to die soon. But i cant come to terms with what light i should get to try next

[@LukeGreen_]

if you're running radion g5 pros which blade would you add for fill?

[@franzyy89]

When are u gonna make some real mounts for these blades? If u want me to buy them as supplement light to my xr15 atleast make it look good.

[@brian-te4xs]

I have always thought the same.

[@mohammadalameer8283]

Have you tried the Nicrew lights?

[@fishingmontana1564]

I put a blade grow and glow think I might get one more grow but they are on my biocube 32g but not much biocube left have a 10g sump and a overflow box on it and removed the rim it looks like a much higher priced tank now still no waterbox but I like it for now till I can get my dream cube some day till then I am working with the Franken tank lol

[@AussieRic]

whats best for a 3ft deep 5ft long tank?

[@adg9430]

Can we get a all tanks at brs Hq tour?

[@silesiaaquarium9083]

We are waiting for reef factory tests

[@asmozturk2154]

thank you for information about all lights but you forget the ati stration

[@guccimane1465]

Ok, no disrespect but can we get a video of you guys showing why the Neptune sky didn't make this list? It's still highly priced on your website like the other good brands but it's not on this list?

[@blaynebrain5525]

I am sure they could have made the list to me one of better panel lights

[@anonanon7497]

The pricing will be, largely, set by Neptune. BRS will be carrying it as an option for people who want it, the price isn't them endorsing it.

[@vargagergely152]

Just because sou didnt tested the New ati straton pro lights ..

[@ButtFucker3000-t9e]

can't - Betrem capital doesn't own em. Only pimps products under the family umbrella.

[@raisethereef]

How would they test them? You can’t even get them in the US

[@vargagergely152]

@@raisethereef well I live in Hungary and I bought them (2×204 ) from ATI where they said they dont sell outside of Germany ... but there is still a way ..there are some shipping companies in germany who offer u a German shipping adress and if you register there , and load money they will get your pack and ship wherever You want ( I think Globaly ) I cant imagine that they wont sell that outside Europe sooner or later .. but boy oh boy theese lights are amazing ..

[@raisethereef]

@@vargagergely152 Possibly at some point they may sell outside Germany but ATI officially stated they would not be selling them to the US. BRS doesn’t test anything they don’t sell at this point. Plenty of KZbinrs in Europe that can get the Straton Pro and test them

[@vargagergely152]

@@raisethereef Just saw German KZbinrs till now , but yeah true .. im absolutley happy whit thoose lights

[@sappysiggy2351]

I still wish Echotec would do a XR15 (#leds & PS) in a 30 form factor....Spread. Yes it would cost, but you get the spread and not pay for waisted power you wouldent need otherwise.

[@rivierareefer5318]

Reef factory lights are superb… not sure why America doesn’t seem to know about these…

[@gcarroll1969]

Reef Factory lights are just making their US debut. It’s going to take time and a lot of marketing dollars to make waves here in the US.

[@Coral-reef.]

My nicrew 50 watt hundred dollar lights are growing my corals like crazy............

[@trevor852]

Kessil AP9X looks the best IMO.

[@patterdalezipsuzilil]

Good value for money xr30 G5 blue or pro

[@kingofrannoch]

I think my 67 watt hyger light is the reason my anemones die after a month. I might need more watts

[@nmarq005]

Why isn’t GHL Mitras on here?

[@gcarroll1969]

😂 did you not follow the light tests? Also it is sold in very low numbers her in the US.

[@alexguitar841]

Thomas always gets a 👍

[@ozzy1887]

No AP9X? Really?

[@shallowreefing]

What happened to the energy in this video? Thomas always oozes charisma. It looks like both Ryan and Thomas are getting hit hard by allergies? Hope they are ok and not getting sick.

[@Will_Wel]

You mean PPFD (of a specific frequency within the PAR range) not PAR right? :)

[@reefmagick446]

Let me get some freebies yall help a reefer out!

[@tannerbradford7233]

Does nobody really like the sky anymore?

[@ButtFucker3000-t9e]

Just bought 2. Love em. Coral like it too.

[@hurricaneaquatics]

No one ever liked it. Terrence at Neptune gave a lot of "influencers" and retail shops the Sky. It had a terrible spectrum and very low build quality. The best thing the sky had going for it was coverage.

[@kalamazoo_reefer]

Sadly for them, flopsville.

[@TheRealSnookie]

Thanks for this comment. I watched a video just recently with Ryan and Thomas speaking so highly of the sky's, and I just bought a cade 1200 frag tank so I was excited to watch this video. Seems like the sky wasn't brought up at all so I guess I'll prob go with radions.

[@bcmmf]

I have 6 of them, that no one gave me, and I love them. I got them the day they came available, so coming on 2 years, and have had no problems with them. Coral growth has been exponentially better than my previous lights. I’ve never been able to understand the negativity, but on the forums, you could cut it with a knife, and mainly from people who didn’t have them. Whatever

[@malinoisnation9392]

quanta bars not listed. not a valid list. :p

[@jmdelira87]

Ryan: T5 fixtures are ugly. Shows a fixture. Go for 5 AI blades which is equally as ugly. Also Ryan: pushes AI blades. “O I didn’t see that coming” That’s BS. With as hard as BRS is pushing, of course you would see those numbers coming. How many blades videos have we seen since they were released. Man BRS really has an agenda here. What a shame.

[@Merknilash]

They talk about the biggest brands and I’m sure get some kind of incentive but it’s not bad at all The sheer amount of good info that comes from them outweighs the hustling and it’s not even close

[@kalamazoo_reefer]

Oh they definitely are seeing benefit from pushing EcoTech and AI 😂

[@alejandrogarcia2853]

I don’t think I heard of any other light except the blade and Radion for the whole video 😂

[@blaynebrain5525]

Well that is what happens when you are bought by conglomerate that owns all of that .. still good video though

[@petarst]

nothing can come close to ati hybrid ..

[@detroithammer8869]

i cant

[@alejandrogarcia2853]

Also kind of suspicious that the reviews too on BRS on the XR30 are all very new and are very just… scripted 🤨

[@bopeep7806]

I believe the reason why ecotech are doing the best is they have a full ecosystem, give ai a return pump and kessils etc they start selling more

[@obZidianZ06]

Let me guess: Ai Blades! 🤣🤣

[@obZidianZ06]

Noooooo... i just bought new lights!! :)

[@canudigit1970]

No reef breeders lighting? Why do you guys continue to push the 2 big brand names? Overpriced amd overrated IMO.