ReefBreeders Photon24 24" fixture review. (pics)

MBMtech · 04/05/2013, 04:12 PM

Hello all,

I got in on the March Group Buy here on the Reef Central sponsor forums. For those who are new to Reef Central, be sure to check out ALL the Sponsors that are avail. Product recommendations and reviews can be found there and not just in this Equipment forum!!!

Paid for my order on the 10th of March. Got my shipping label on March 31st, and received my lights on 4/5/2013.

First of all, I want to say, even though the Chinese New Year delay caused a stink for Logan (ReefBreeders) , I personally had a wonderful experiance. Even before joining the group by, I had several e-mail convos with him about what would fit my upcoming 150 gallon project. I'm upgrading from a 47 gallon bowfront that is currently being lit by a 4 bulb 39watt per-bulb T5 VHO Odyssea fixture. They wife and I decided that we wanted to go LED with the new 150 gallon tank. Logan was very helpfull and pointed me to what I would need. Even telling me I would do well with just two Photon24's with 90* optics instead of going with two Photon32's at an added cost. So even though he would have made more money by telling me to get two 32's he was honest and told me I would only need two 24's. So Kudo's to Logan for being a member of the community, and not just someone in the business to push uneeded product just for the sake of making money.

I ordered knowing full well of a delay, so I wasn't bothered by the wait because I knew what I was getting into. And, I must say, the cost of the final product due to the Group Buy discount verses the quality of the product recieved is AMAZING. I am 100% satisfied and blown away at the build and finish of these fixtures.

Ok, now on to the eyecandy of my unboxing experiance.

Product Ordered: Two (2) Photon24's with installed 90* optics, standard layout. No additional extra LED's.

UPS delivered on 4/5/2013. Box was in excellent shape with only minor scuffing of the box. Nothing unexpected due to the nature of UPS personel slinging boxes around.

Shipped was 1 box with 2 fixtures inside. Both inner boxes were flawless and unmolested.

Packaging of the inner box contents were superb and secure.

(my soon-to-be-upgraded 47gal bowfront in the background. Will be getting a 150gal)

Lights and included accessories were well packed. Each box contained a manual, remote, power cord, and two hanger packs.

MBMtech · 04/05/2013, 04:12 PM

Controler face is very nice.

Fixture construction, feel, and heft, give a very solid vibe when handling them. I am blown away at the quality they portray concidering the price point. These fixtures would make you believe the price value is WAY greater than what they are actually priced at even at the non-discounted price you would pay normally.

Powered on, these lights are EXTREMLY bright at 100% on both channels. I was expecting them to be bright, but not THAT bright. I was literally blinded.

Moon lights are great as well.

I checked both fixtures and both work as expected. I will do a follow-up review of the lights once actually installed. I may just setup one fixture over my 47 gallon and lower the power on both channels just to start the acclimation process before the trasition to the 150 gallon. I have the 150, just do not have it setup yet due to the need to build a stand for it. Wanted to get the lights in so I could measure and plan either a canopy or a hanging option.

I hope my review helps some of you on the fence of Reefbreeders' products. I can say they WILL have my business in the future and I will recommend them to anyone who is looking for a LED solution.

MBMtech · 04/05/2013, 05:46 PM

FYI, even though I have two fixtures and each came with it's own remote, ONE remote will control BOTH fixtures. I'm going to be setting aside my second remote as a spare.

Bigcefa · 04/05/2013, 06:53 PM

Got mine today as well bout to start playing around with em

Linkfalcon · 04/05/2013, 07:13 PM

Sweet now we need par reading and what bulb setup is that

Bigcefa · 04/05/2013, 08:33 PM

First impressions , not liking the color at 100% both channels it's like a over washed out blue idk how to describe it. It's a brand new setup with just rock and sand, so no corals but I don't like the color at all even after playing with the percentages . Idk what it's missing I've seen almost all the other fixtures out there not to happy right about now

Jstdv8 · 04/05/2013, 08:48 PM

One of the buyers posted par numbers of his 32" on the reef breeders forum. He's only got them at 25% and the par was 700 at the top and in the 400s at the bottom. That's at 25%
I don't think power is going to be an issue with these lights.
I'm ordering mine soon, can't wait.

MBMtech · 04/06/2013, 01:23 PM

I have it temp braced over my 47 gallon at the moment. It's only sitting about 4" over waterline. It really needs to be 6-8". But since this is just a trial to check the function of the lights. At the moment I have Channel 1 (blues) at 40% and Channel 2 (whites/colors) at 30%. I dare not put it at 100% at the moment for one, my corals arn't use to LED's and two, these LED's are BRIGHT and that is an understatement. I even believe that I won't ever really need 100%, fixtures are way more powerful than expected. I personally don't have a PAR meter, but I'm in the process to see if I can borrow one.

My 47 gallon has a solid plastic middle brace but the lighted completely ignore that it's there. It casts ZERO shadow.

Coloration of my fish is just popping. Greens, reds, oranges, and blues look so much more viberant under these Photons than my 4 T5 VHO bulb fixture. I love the shimmer effect. It's mezzzzzzzzzzmerizing.....

Programming the fixture is simple and easy. Menu and options are intuitive. Built in date/time timers. You can program light channels ramp ups and ramps downs by the hour or 1/2 hour in 1% or 10% increases/decreases by either tapping on up/down buttons on remote or LCD screen for 1% increments or holding down the buttons to increase/decrease in 10% increments. You set date and time, then either use the built in Sunny/Cloudy/Moon settings or you can select Custom and just program your own 24hr schedual. You can have up to a total of 48 change points for ramp up/down within the built in 24 hour period. The User's guide even has a table in it listing what the settings and percent values of the pre-programmed schedual. You can also just select "Manual" mode and set each channel percentage and it will just stay like that until you change it yourself.

Really am blown away by this fixture. I almost felt like I stole these.

dixiedog · 04/06/2013, 05:21 PM

MBMtech, does the controller remember your programming after a power outage?

MBMtech · 04/06/2013, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dixiedog

MBMtech, does the controller remember your programming after a power outage?

I tested that, and it seems to have. Now, how long it can go without power before it gets wiped, I do not know. I know that in the menus as you program it, there is a selection to SAVE.

Meanmike · 04/06/2013, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigcefa

First impressions , not liking the color at 100% both channels it's like a over washed out blue idk how to describe it. It's a brand new setup with just rock and sand, so no corals but I don't like the color at all even after playing with the percentages . Idk what it's missing I've seen almost all the other fixtures out there not to happy right about now

I have been thinking about these for my 500g but all the videos I've seen look like what your describing. I wish I could see them in person.

Bigcefa · 04/06/2013, 06:34 PM

It's very blue almost over powering, hard to say until I get some corals under it to see if I gonna like it

dixiedog · 04/06/2013, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigcefa

It's very blue almost over powering, hard to say until I get some corals under it to see if I gonna like it

Forgive what feels like a stupid question, but ... can't you control that??

domvert · 04/06/2013, 07:14 PM

is your tank a 6' 150gal. I have a 150 gal and its 6' so following your thread.
I am in concord, nc

Meanmike · 04/06/2013, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dixiedog

Forgive what feels like a stupid question, but ... can't you control that??

I was wondering this as well. Judging by his other post he had.

MBMtech · 04/06/2013, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by domvert

is your tank a 6' 150gal. I have a 150 gal and its 6' so following your thread.
I am in concord, nc

Yes, my new tank I'm setiing it is 150gal, 5ftx2ftx2ft (60"x24"x24").

Bigcefa · 04/06/2013, 09:04 PM

Yes you can certainly control it but just messing round with it I had to drop the blues to 30 percent while running the whites at 100 to not have it look like a smurf threw up on my rocks. That's just me, just my eyes everyone's different

mershonn · 04/06/2013, 09:10 PM

That's depends what you like.

joedc · 04/06/2013, 09:10 PM

So all programing can be done on the remote and they both receive also what leds they run

dixiedog · 04/06/2013, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigcefa

Yes you can certainly control it but just messing round with it I had to drop the blues to 30 percent while running the whites at 100 to not have it look like a smurf threw up on my rocks. That's just me, just my eyes everyone's different

Well I like a good bit of blue, but I hear what you're saying.

At least these diodes can be swapped out easily, can't they?

Bigcefa · 04/06/2013, 09:14 PM

I think the can ya little bit of soldering required

MBMtech · 04/07/2013, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigcefa

I think the can ya little bit of soldering required

ReefBreeders will also do custom layouts for your when you order if you ask if you don't go with the standard layout.

jeremyblu · 04/07/2013, 05:45 AM

I just got 2 of the 32" fixtures about 3 weeks ago I have them mounted inside a canopy over my 125 6' coverage is awesome I don't have any par readings ATM waiting on my clubs parameter but ill post some as soon as I get it

Ron Reefman · 04/07/2013, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigcefa

Yes you can certainly control it but just messing round with it I had to drop the blues to 30 percent while running the whites at 100 to not have it look like a smurf threw up on my rocks. That's just me, just my eyes everyone's different

If you had MH, what bulb would you want, 10K, 14K or 20K? Can I ask what the ratio of blue to white is in your fixture? I've had mine for 3 months and the are all 3:2 blue to white and I have the opposite issue. At 100% on both channels it's white, white. I have to go to 100% blue and 40-50% white before I even get a hint of blue. And I just got yesterday some extra leds (from EverGrow... the fixture manufacturer in China) so I can swap out some of the white leds.

The good news is, in a 24" tank, I run 90% blue and 40% white and my PAR is just as good as my old 250w MH system. So you can dial your blues back and consider switching a few out and you'll be OK.

BTW, try and do that with a Eco Tech or an AI fixture!

Bigcefa · 04/07/2013, 09:24 AM

I have the standard layout. But if I do remember Ron you have the fixtures from before they changed the layout and diodes a bit. I ran mh in the past and used Phoenix 14k. I'm not against blue at all but it's not that it's just blue it's a washed out look, BUT maybe it's because it's a new tank with some what whitish rocks giving a weird reflection idk. I also have the value fixture over my coral qt tank ( no corals in yet) and although it's blue I like the look a little better for some reason , only difference in that fixture is it has no optics and has the 2 green diodes which I'm sure don't make a huge difference. I'm def sticking with these I just hope my sps look good under em

04/05/2013, 04:12 PM	#1
MBMtech Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 76	ReefBreeders Photon24 24" fixture review. (pics) Hello all, I got in on the March Group Buy here on the Reef Central sponsor forums. For those who are new to Reef Central, be sure to check out ALL the Sponsors that are avail. Product recommendations and reviews can be found there and not just in this Equipment forum!!! Paid for my order on the 10th of March. Got my shipping label on March 31st, and received my lights on 4/5/2013. First of all, I want to say, even though the Chinese New Year delay caused a stink for Logan (ReefBreeders) , I personally had a wonderful experiance. Even before joining the group by, I had several e-mail convos with him about what would fit my upcoming 150 gallon project. I'm upgrading from a 47 gallon bowfront that is currently being lit by a 4 bulb 39watt per-bulb T5 VHO Odyssea fixture. They wife and I decided that we wanted to go LED with the new 150 gallon tank. Logan was very helpfull and pointed me to what I would need. Even telling me I would do well with just two Photon24's with 90* optics instead of going with two Photon32's at an added cost. So even though he would have made more money by telling me to get two 32's he was honest and told me I would only need two 24's. So Kudo's to Logan for being a member of the community, and not just someone in the business to push uneeded product just for the sake of making money. I ordered knowing full well of a delay, so I wasn't bothered by the wait because I knew what I was getting into. And, I must say, the cost of the final product due to the Group Buy discount verses the quality of the product recieved is AMAZING. I am 100% satisfied and blown away at the build and finish of these fixtures. Ok, now on to the eyecandy of my unboxing experiance. Product Ordered: Two (2) Photon24's with installed 90* optics, standard layout. No additional extra LED's. UPS delivered on 4/5/2013. Box was in excellent shape with only minor scuffing of the box. Nothing unexpected due to the nature of UPS personel slinging boxes around. Shipped was 1 box with 2 fixtures inside. Both inner boxes were flawless and unmolested. Packaging of the inner box contents were superb and secure. (my soon-to-be-upgraded 47gal bowfront in the background. Will be getting a 150gal) Lights and included accessories were well packed. Each box contained a manual, remote, power cord, and two hanger packs.

04/05/2013, 04:12 PM	#2
MBMtech Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 76	Controler face is very nice. Fixture construction, feel, and heft, give a very solid vibe when handling them. I am blown away at the quality they portray concidering the price point. These fixtures would make you believe the price value is WAY greater than what they are actually priced at even at the non-discounted price you would pay normally. Powered on, these lights are EXTREMLY bright at 100% on both channels. I was expecting them to be bright, but not THAT bright. I was literally blinded. Moon lights are great as well. I checked both fixtures and both work as expected. I will do a follow-up review of the lights once actually installed. I may just setup one fixture over my 47 gallon and lower the power on both channels just to start the acclimation process before the trasition to the 150 gallon. I have the 150, just do not have it setup yet due to the need to build a stand for it. Wanted to get the lights in so I could measure and plan either a canopy or a hanging option. I hope my review helps some of you on the fence of Reefbreeders' products. I can say they WILL have my business in the future and I will recommend them to anyone who is looking for a LED solution.

04/05/2013, 05:46 PM	#3
MBMtech Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 76	FYI, even though I have two fixtures and each came with it's own remote, ONE remote will control BOTH fixtures. I'm going to be setting aside my second remote as a spare.

04/05/2013, 06:53 PM	#4
Bigcefa Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 843	Got mine today as well bout to start playing around with em

04/05/2013, 07:13 PM	#5
Linkfalcon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Arlington va Posts: 158	Sweet now we need par reading and what bulb setup is that

04/05/2013, 08:33 PM	#6
Bigcefa Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 843	First impressions , not liking the color at 100% both channels it's like a over washed out blue idk how to describe it. It's a brand new setup with just rock and sand, so no corals but I don't like the color at all even after playing with the percentages . Idk what it's missing I've seen almost all the other fixtures out there not to happy right about now

04/05/2013, 08:48 PM	#7
Jstdv8 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 1,420	One of the buyers posted par numbers of his 32" on the reef breeders forum. He's only got them at 25% and the par was 700 at the top and in the 400s at the bottom. That's at 25% I don't think power is going to be an issue with these lights. I'm ordering mine soon, can't wait.

04/06/2013, 01:23 PM	#8
MBMtech Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 76	I have it temp braced over my 47 gallon at the moment. It's only sitting about 4" over waterline. It really needs to be 6-8". But since this is just a trial to check the function of the lights. At the moment I have Channel 1 (blues) at 40% and Channel 2 (whites/colors) at 30%. I dare not put it at 100% at the moment for one, my corals arn't use to LED's and two, these LED's are BRIGHT and that is an understatement. I even believe that I won't ever really need 100%, fixtures are way more powerful than expected. I personally don't have a PAR meter, but I'm in the process to see if I can borrow one. My 47 gallon has a solid plastic middle brace but the lighted completely ignore that it's there. It casts ZERO shadow. Coloration of my fish is just popping. Greens, reds, oranges, and blues look so much more viberant under these Photons than my 4 T5 VHO bulb fixture. I love the shimmer effect. It's mezzzzzzzzzzmerizing..... Programming the fixture is simple and easy. Menu and options are intuitive. Built in date/time timers. You can program light channels ramp ups and ramps downs by the hour or 1/2 hour in 1% or 10% increases/decreases by either tapping on up/down buttons on remote or LCD screen for 1% increments or holding down the buttons to increase/decrease in 10% increments. You set date and time, then either use the built in Sunny/Cloudy/Moon settings or you can select Custom and just program your own 24hr schedual. You can have up to a total of 48 change points for ramp up/down within the built in 24 hour period. The User's guide even has a table in it listing what the settings and percent values of the pre-programmed schedual. You can also just select "Manual" mode and set each channel percentage and it will just stay like that until you change it yourself. Really am blown away by this fixture. I almost felt like I stole these.

04/06/2013, 05:21 PM	#9
dixiedog Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Gainesville, Florida Posts: 1,626	MBMtech, does the controller remember your programming after a power outage?

04/06/2013, 06:34 PM	#12
Bigcefa Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 843	It's very blue almost over powering, hard to say until I get some corals under it to see if I gonna like it

04/06/2013, 07:14 PM	#14
domvert Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: nc Posts: 103	is your tank a 6' 150gal. I have a 150 gal and its 6' so following your thread. I am in concord, nc

04/06/2013, 09:04 PM	#17
Bigcefa Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 843	Yes you can certainly control it but just messing round with it I had to drop the blues to 30 percent while running the whites at 100 to not have it look like a smurf threw up on my rocks. That's just me, just my eyes everyone's different

04/06/2013, 09:10 PM	#18
mershonn Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 7	That's depends what you like.

04/06/2013, 09:10 PM	#19
joedc Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 229	So all programing can be done on the remote and they both receive also what leds they run

04/06/2013, 09:14 PM	#21
Bigcefa Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 843	I think the can ya little bit of soldering required

04/07/2013, 05:45 AM	#23
jeremyblu Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 115	I just got 2 of the 32" fixtures about 3 weeks ago I have them mounted inside a canopy over my 125 6' coverage is awesome I don't have any par readings ATM waiting on my clubs parameter but ill post some as soon as I get it

04/07/2013, 09:24 AM	#25
Bigcefa Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 843	I have the standard layout. But if I do remember Ron you have the fixtures from before they changed the layout and diodes a bit. I ran mh in the past and used Phoenix 14k. I'm not against blue at all but it's not that it's just blue it's a washed out look, BUT maybe it's because it's a new tank with some what whitish rocks giving a weird reflection idk. I also have the value fixture over my coral qt tank ( no corals in yet) and although it's blue I like the look a little better for some reason , only difference in that fixture is it has no optics and has the 2 green diodes which I'm sure don't make a huge difference. I'm def sticking with these I just hope my sps look good under em