Orphek v4 initial impressions

saltfishguy18 · 02/15/2018, 07:22 AM

So I just changed out my lighting in my 90 gallon and I ended up going with orphek v4 compacts. Two of them. I went with the compacts vs the regular v4 bc I like a modular design and I was skeptical that one v4 could adequately light my tank.

Let’s start off with the ordering process. So I couldn’t find anyone in the US that had these in stock so I bought direct from orphek. Paid for the lights on a Tuesday and was told they should have them shipped out by the following Monday before Chinese New Year. I wasn’t sure how I felt in the beginning about taking a week to ship after payment but whatever since my lighting system was fine at the time. Tuesday of the following week comes by and no tracking number. I email James (orphek rep in USA) asking status. Was told still haven’t shipped but hopefully by Wednesday. I was pretty upset that they still had not been shipped yet but I gave it another day. Wednesday rolled around and still no tracking. James explained that bc of the upcoming holiday in Hong Kong everything was being set back. I told him if I didn’t have a tracking number by Friday I was canceling. Friday came and I got a tracking. Orphek also paid for faster shipping bc of the delay which was nice.

I received the lights yesterday and hung last night.

The lights were packaged very well and there was no damage during transit.

First impressions:
-build quality is very nice
-the units are very sleek (acrylic unibody)
-units are heavier than expected

You can tell these lights are meant to be hung higher then other lights.

-the hanging kit that comes with the lights, the quality is good but I was hoping for something more sleek but hey it works.

The lights require orpheks “gateway” in order to operate. Essentially it’s a mini router only for the lights. Allows all adjustments to lighting schedule/intensity thru your phone

I’m only running the light in acclimation mode for 10 days so my corals adjust but of course I had to play with the colors lol. What I can say is for ppl that love the t5 look, these can almost perfectly mimic it. Impressed so far with how the colors blend and look. Much better than my old look. The blues look so much more natural than the arcade blues leds usually throw off.

I should mention I had some technical difficulties getting one of the units to sync with the gateway. An email to orphek was answered in less than 5 minutes and it was rectified. Nice to know the email for support is monitored!

I have attached some pics of them and some of the looks. The last few pictures of some sps in brain corals is with just the us channel on. I thought the color was crazy!

Time will tell how these are but so far I’m digging the lights

Build quality 5/5
Hanging kit 3/5
Gateway 4/5
Coloration 5/5
IMG_8968.jpg IMG_8967.jpg IMG_8963.jpg IMG_8964.jpg IMG_8965.jpg

MSHUR · 02/15/2018, 07:21 PM

Thank you for feedback...

I agree this hanging kit looks pathetic with ugly hooks....Wow..Hope they will come with better hanging options.maybe bar like Ecotech for Radions..

How do you software?

saltfishguy18 · 02/15/2018, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHUR

Thank you for feedback...

I agree this hanging kit looks pathetic with ugly hooks....Wow..Hope they will come with better hanging options.maybe bar like Ecotech for Radions..

How do you software?

The software thru the app works fine. No issues with that

MSHUR · 02/15/2018, 07:53 PM

easy to set up?

saltfishguy18 · 02/15/2018, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHUR

easy to set up?

Yes, except for the hiccup that I mentioned

MSHUR · 02/15/2018, 10:43 PM

Good luck!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mark SF · 06/22/2018, 07:33 PM

Thanks for the write up. Any update with success of the lighting? Would you purchase them again?

shaginwagon13 · 06/26/2018, 11:22 AM

How deep is your tank? Just curious

Tank looks awesome.

The Bean · 06/27/2018, 03:06 PM

I have had them for 4 months now...software is great and my SPS are growing better than ever!

MSHUR · 06/27/2018, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bean

I have had them for 4 months now...software is great and my SPS are growing better than ever!

Good news Bean..I got 4 panel my self ,looking forward to hook them up

Would you mine to share you program for SPS.. I am currently using T5s , do you think i should start with 50%?

mike

Mitchellc · 07/02/2018, 06:13 AM

I am considering this product as well. Years ago, a friend had a halide pendant that I think was made by Orphek. It kinda looked like a bug zapper in a way. That thing lasted forever.

The Bean · 07/02/2018, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHUR

Good news Bean..I got 4 panel my self ,looking forward to hook them up

Would you mine to share you program for SPS.. I am currently using T5s , do you think i should start with 50%?

mike

Hi Mike, Yes no problem.
My advice would be go steady at first as you suggest.....the LED's are very powerful...especially on frags as I have learnt.
If you run the Slow Acclimation first for a few weeks to get your corals used to LEDs, just keep an eye on your PE's....you may have some SPS start to brown IF your SPS are used to high PAR. From Slow Acclimation move on to Coral Colour but run clouds in the peak times so say 10:00-19:00. You can start with heavy clouds which will give you SPS a chance to exchance Oxygen...you could jump straight into this programme if you feel your SPS can take it. I had a hybrid LED/ T5 and went straight in at 80% all except the blue channel which was 90%....just watch your Alk uptake as mine tripled! I run mine now on Maintaining fast growth which is basically all at 100% but heavy clouds in the morning until 13:00 then Light clouds until the lights crank down at 18:00...I will post a recomended setting off the Orphek FB page.

The Bean · 07/02/2018, 03:08 PM

First use Cloud mode
strong cloud mode ON
from 11:00-19:00 ,
This will reduce the light for 50% every 15 minuets for 5 minuets , let coral exchange oxygen.

Ch 1
00:00 0% (this cannot be change this is 24:00 , divided the day from another day )
09:00 1% ( start time by 1%)
It will rump up slowly
11:00 80% this will keep the light at 80% till 17:00
17:00 80%
19:00 60% go down to 60%
20:00 0%. Sun set end time 0%

Ch 2
00:00 0%
09:00 1%
11:00 80%
17:00 80%
19:00 60%
20:00 20%
22:00 0%

Ch 3
00:00 0%
09:00 1%
11:00 80%
17:00 80%
19:00 60%
20:00 70%
22:00 0%

Ch4
00:00 0%
09:00 1%
11:00 80%
17:00 80%
19:00 60%
20:00 10%
22:00 0%

MSHUR · 07/03/2018, 02:32 AM

Thank you very much. Will follow your advice .
Soon will post some pics

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mark SF · 07/04/2018, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bean

I have had them for 4 months now...software is great and my SPS are growing better than ever!

That’s great to hear I’m really liking these...do you think a single v4 could cover a 36”x24” tank?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Bean · 07/04/2018, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark SF

That’s great to hear I’m really liking these...do you think a single v4 could cover a 36”x24” tank?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You will be okay with one in my opinion.. you could go all out and use two if you want to eliminate shadowing.. I have two over a 52”x 20” tank which fills every square inch.
Good luck

02/15/2018, 07:22 AM	#1
saltfishguy18 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 67	Orphek v4 initial impressions So I just changed out my lighting in my 90 gallon and I ended up going with orphek v4 compacts. Two of them. I went with the compacts vs the regular v4 bc I like a modular design and I was skeptical that one v4 could adequately light my tank. Let’s start off with the ordering process. So I couldn’t find anyone in the US that had these in stock so I bought direct from orphek. Paid for the lights on a Tuesday and was told they should have them shipped out by the following Monday before Chinese New Year. I wasn’t sure how I felt in the beginning about taking a week to ship after payment but whatever since my lighting system was fine at the time. Tuesday of the following week comes by and no tracking number. I email James (orphek rep in USA) asking status. Was told still haven’t shipped but hopefully by Wednesday. I was pretty upset that they still had not been shipped yet but I gave it another day. Wednesday rolled around and still no tracking. James explained that bc of the upcoming holiday in Hong Kong everything was being set back. I told him if I didn’t have a tracking number by Friday I was canceling. Friday came and I got a tracking. Orphek also paid for faster shipping bc of the delay which was nice. I received the lights yesterday and hung last night. The lights were packaged very well and there was no damage during transit. First impressions: -build quality is very nice -the units are very sleek (acrylic unibody) -units are heavier than expected You can tell these lights are meant to be hung higher then other lights. -the hanging kit that comes with the lights, the quality is good but I was hoping for something more sleek but hey it works. The lights require orpheks “gateway” in order to operate. Essentially it’s a mini router only for the lights. Allows all adjustments to lighting schedule/intensity thru your phone I’m only running the light in acclimation mode for 10 days so my corals adjust but of course I had to play with the colors lol. What I can say is for ppl that love the t5 look, these can almost perfectly mimic it. Impressed so far with how the colors blend and look. Much better than my old look. The blues look so much more natural than the arcade blues leds usually throw off. I should mention I had some technical difficulties getting one of the units to sync with the gateway. An email to orphek was answered in less than 5 minutes and it was rectified. Nice to know the email for support is monitored! I have attached some pics of them and some of the looks. The last few pictures of some sps in brain corals is with just the us channel on. I thought the color was crazy! Time will tell how these are but so far I’m digging the lights Build quality 5/5 Hanging kit 3/5 Gateway 4/5 Coloration 5/5 IMG_8968.jpg IMG_8967.jpg IMG_8963.jpg IMG_8964.jpg IMG_8965.jpg

02/15/2018, 07:21 PM	#2
MSHUR ugust 2011 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: brooklyn,ny Posts: 2,595	Thank you for feedback... I agree this hanging kit looks pathetic with ugly hooks....Wow..Hope they will come with better hanging options.maybe bar like Ecotech for Radions.. How do you software? __________________ Manhattan Reefs TOTM -August 2011 Current Tank Info: Reef Savvy crystal glass, Profilux network system,PS -Diuna T5-10 bulbs, BK SM-300

02/15/2018, 07:53 PM	#4
MSHUR ugust 2011 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: brooklyn,ny Posts: 2,595	easy to set up? __________________ Manhattan Reefs TOTM -August 2011 Current Tank Info: Reef Savvy crystal glass, Profilux network system,PS -Diuna T5-10 bulbs, BK SM-300

02/15/2018, 10:43 PM	#6
MSHUR ugust 2011 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: brooklyn,ny Posts: 2,595	Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Manhattan Reefs TOTM -August 2011 Current Tank Info: Reef Savvy crystal glass, Profilux network system,PS -Diuna T5-10 bulbs, BK SM-300

06/26/2018, 11:22 AM	#8
shaginwagon13 Chartered Accountant Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,219	How deep is your tank? Just curious Tank looks awesome. __________________ - Shaginwagon - Current Tank Info: 550 Gallon SPS Reef l 200 Gallon Sump l Skimmer: Vertex Alpha 250 l Return Pump: Reeflo Hammerhead l Tank Circulation: (2) Maxspect Gyre XF280 l Lighting: (3) 400w Halides & (3) AI Hydra 52 HD

06/22/2018, 07:33 PM	#7
Mark SF Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 357	Thanks for the write up. Any update with success of the lighting? Would you purchase them again?

06/27/2018, 03:06 PM	#9
The Bean Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 84	I have had them for 4 months now...software is great and my SPS are growing better than ever!

07/02/2018, 06:13 AM	#11
Mitchellc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 1	I am considering this product as well. Years ago, a friend had a halide pendant that I think was made by Orphek. It kinda looked like a bug zapper in a way. That thing lasted forever.

07/02/2018, 03:08 PM	#13
The Bean Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 84	First use Cloud mode strong cloud mode ON from 11:00-19:00 , This will reduce the light for 50% every 15 minuets for 5 minuets , let coral exchange oxygen. Ch 1 00:00 0% (this cannot be change this is 24:00 , divided the day from another day ) 09:00 1% ( start time by 1%) It will rump up slowly 11:00 80% this will keep the light at 80% till 17:00 17:00 80% 19:00 60% go down to 60% 20:00 0%. Sun set end time 0% Ch 2 00:00 0% 09:00 1% 11:00 80% 17:00 80% 19:00 60% 20:00 20% 22:00 0% Ch 3 00:00 0% 09:00 1% 11:00 80% 17:00 80% 19:00 60% 20:00 70% 22:00 0% Ch4 00:00 0% 09:00 1% 11:00 80% 17:00 80% 19:00 60% 20:00 10% 22:00 0%

07/03/2018, 02:32 AM	#14
MSHUR ugust 2011 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: brooklyn,ny Posts: 2,595	Thank you very much. Will follow your advice . Soon will post some pics Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Manhattan Reefs TOTM -August 2011 Current Tank Info: Reef Savvy crystal glass, Profilux network system,PS -Diuna T5-10 bulbs, BK SM-300