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Orphek OR4 vs Quanta Helix Light Bars

MarcosD

MarcosD

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Anyone have personal experience with either of these, or even better, both?

I’m looking to add some light bars to my frag tank so I can get better PAR near the edges as I keep coral there and I can definitely see the difference in coloring between the ones in the center with higher PAR and the ones in the outer edges. I tried raising my lights and turning up the power but I don’t like how much light spills.

Appreciate any input :)
 
I have two Qanta Helix Blue (and ATLAS). Definitely camp Quanta Lights (and Reefi). These are all the lights one needs :). No, seriously, the Orphek is probably good too but I have no experience with them and feel the cost/performance for the Quanta and Reefi lights is hard to beat.

Edit: I have the Helix on a 0-10V dimmer via the Hydros. So with Hydros, you do not need to have an app-based light if the lights can connect to 0-10V port.
 
Never used Orphek but I am sure they are great.

I added two Quanta bars to sandwich radions. I like them. Cheaper than others and no app to fuss with. Set the manual dimmer switch, add a timer at the plug and done. The Clevin 3d printed mounts are great. Snapped into the radion light rail easily.
 
I have 4 of the Helix lights - 2 blue and 2 white. The build quality and materials is really impressive, you get them with dimmer switches if you don't have a 10v connection but will still need a controller or time for on/off.

The blue version of the light is VERY blue, FYI. The white version has way too much green in it, and I wouldn't use it again probably.

In short, the blue is great for some additional spread, but I wouldn't use the blue/white combo for your only lighting solution as Luca suggests. Spread would be great but it's way too green.
 
derek_SR said:
I have 4 of the Helix lights - 2 blue and 2 white. The build quality and materials is really impressive, you get them with dimmer switches if you don't have a 10v connection but will still need a controller or time for on/off.

The blue version of the light is VERY blue, FYI. The white version has way too much green in it, and I wouldn't use it again probably.

In short, the blue is great for some additional spread, but I wouldn't use the blue/white combo for your only lighting solution as Luca suggests. Spread would be great but it's way too green.
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Interesting. I’d probably do two of the blue then because my lights are currently whiter than I’d like
 
nly04 said:
Which light are you currently using?
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This specific tank I was talking about is running two Nicrew 150W Gen 1. The controller you buy separately to control the lights only lets you change Blue and White and only by 5% increments. I think I’m running 40% Blue and 15% White. 10% white is too blue but 20% is too white for me. So can’t really find a balance. Don’t want to turn up blue more because PAR gets too high in the frag tank.

I will probably get two light bars for each of my two other tanks as well. One of those will run two Nicrew 200W Gen 2 lights which offer a much better control. The other tank will run two ReeFi Uno Pro 2.1
 
I have the OR3 Blues they give decent supplemental lighting. If I recall correctly they were 100 Par on the top structures of my rock. Also they do a good job in making the corals pop. My only negatives about them that they are heavy, and they look bulke. If I was in the market for Bars i would get the AI blades. also OR3 are on sale now Just FYI.
Screenshot 2025-03-20 at 11.57.25 AM.png
 
MarcosD said:
A pair of the Quanta Helix- Meso Blue color. Only other Quanta Helix option was the Reef Crest Daylight option and don’t want to add more white/green to my lights
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Sorry, my bad. I meant the model which was not dimmable was called Quanta Pro (I believe) vs Helix. And both were available in meso blue. The one Casey is selling is not the Helix model. Not sure if being dimmable was the only difference since it was already good light. Just a bit too blue for you from what I remember, correct @CaseyP ?
 
Alexander1312 said:
Sorry, my bad. I meant the model which was not dimmable was called Quanta Pro (I believe) vs Helix. And both were available in meso blue. The one Casey is selling is not the Helix model. Not sure if being dimmable was the only difference since it was already good light. Just a bit too blue for you from what I remember, correct @CaseyP ?
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Ohhh I see what you mean now. Sorry I misunderstood
 
Alexander1312 said:
Sorry, my bad. I meant the model which was not dimmable was called Quanta Pro (I believe) vs Helix. And both were available in meso blue. The one Casey is selling is not the Helix model. Not sure if being dimmable was the only difference since it was already good light. Just a bit too blue for you from what I remember, correct @CaseyP ?
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Correct, i have two rows of Quanta Pro meseo blues (4 x 36") which are not dimmable. I'm thinking of switching to 2 x 36" down the center and have the kessils front and back since I'm a bigger fan of the Kessil asthetic.

$100 each if anyone else is interested
 
I have one OR4 sky blue and one Helix reefcrest. There are pros and cons to both. OR4 has software dimming and control, but the cord is short, the light is bulkier, and imo the silver casing is less pleasing (it can be painted). I prefer the black aesthetic on the helix, but would have liked software control/dimming (it had a manual dimming knob).
 
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