Lighting system
My systems
Here is the bit long list of lignting systems I had fun to test, ordered by chronology, the last one being current:
Daytime Cluster 120.5 (5 modules UBRW), replaced by Daytime Matrix 120.x
Chihiros WRGB2 120
AquaGrow FS 1200 (discontinuited)
AI AquaIllumination Prime Freshwater, 2 spots per tank, 2022.Q2 - 2023.Q3
Orphek OR3 freshwater planted 120, 1 bar per tank, since 2023.Q3
On both my tanks since 2023.Q3, to me the best lightning system fitting to my needs and taste, even there's still room for improvement before to reach perfection.
Each tank has 1 OR3 120 (cm) freshwater planted, full spectrum with 36 LED of 7 differents colors, all for only 60W. This product is released in summer 2022.. but Orphek has been around for a long time. known firstly for salt water and public aquairiums.
No app bluetooth - no integrated controller.. yet, possible under development. You can nevertheless already combine different OR3 (up to 6!) and control them with Osix controller and Icon app.
Excellent value for money (2023.12 -> 170€!), pure design, passiv heat dissipation, good support.
Budget WRGB LED bar with DIY adaption
If you're interested in a budget friendly thin RGB LED bar to pop-up fish colors.. let's tune a bit what can be found online.
After a bit search and test of few models, I found this very cheap (less than 30€ on Amazon) VARMHUS water proof aquarium light bar with timer, auto on/off dimming function, 3 light modes, dimmable 10 brightness levels and 3 levels of time loop function, 84 LEDs, RGB 92cm.
Perfect basis to build a more design solution, directly integrated to alluminium profil structure. I found all the parts (proper alluprofil and white flexible reflector) on led-konzept.de, very nice and reactive support, quick delivery!
Other interesting references
Selection focused on tank 120cm... just because our tank requirements, but more of the time you'll find 30,45,60,90 cm as well, rarely more than 120cm.
This is my own selection, non-exhaustive, motivated by design and performance, and in most cases tested at home.
120 LEDs, 7700lm, 130W
App bluetooth - integrated controller
Our current setup on fake twins since Q1 2020.
Good value for money, pure design, good support.
Module based, 1 to 11 modules for 120, from 70-180lm/W
Dedicated calculator
App bluetooth - external controller
Previous version, Daytime Cluster, equipped our tanks for 2015-2020.
Clearly premium material (prices), configurability maximum.
48 LEDs, 4 canal, 60W
App bluetooth - integrated controller
No direct experience, looks great, especially v2.
RGB+W 240 LEDs, 6200lm, 110W
App bluetooth - integrated controller
No direct experience, looks great.
WRBG 17 LEDs, 55W, spot LED
App bluetooth - integrated controller
Installed on Fake Twins from 2022.Q2 to 2023.Q3
Beautiful natural lightning with, shimmer effect on the bottom.
App is one of the most easy to use, with quick settings or fine tuning of multiple canals: 6 cool white, 4 warm white, 2 blue, 1 red, 1 green and 1 moonlight (light white).
Take care at full power it is not silent as a passive cooling system..
WRB (no Green) 24 LEDs per cluster (~30cm), 20W to 140W (~170cm)
App bluetooth - integrated controller
Installed on Bavarian Bush since 2023.Q2