LED Nicrew as a replacement for Radion? Maybe!

[telegraham]

Oh, look! Travis at @fishofhex is now using the Nicrew HyperReef 150s instead of his toasted “water damaged” XR15s.

The Nicrew 100 would go toe to toe all day long vs the XR15, but a little extra dimmable power from the Nicrew 150 never hurt anyone. Check out his vid and the data here.

The spectrum (Nicrew) I’m sharing is vs a Gen 4 XR30 (trace), and the natural spread is as shown.

***Keep that in mind…this comparison is against the XR30, a 200W class light, and not Travis’ 100W class XR15***

The spread is 7% less than the XR30, but that suggests to me that the Nicrew 150 would easily match the XR30’s spread. The Nicrew’s average par is 19 less…a respectable difference when comparing two different class lights.

Looking forward to Travis’ experience, as these lights can be controlled via 0-10V from a controller, by using the Kessil dimmer, or by tapping the little W/B touch buttons on the front.

Mine jumped in the tank once, too. Just shook the water out and let it dry. It’s still kickin’ and is the light I’m using in the garage IM20.

Nicrew offers three lights in this line…the 150 (XR30), the 100 (XR15), and the 50 (AI Prime) at $185, $150, and $100 respectively. All three are available on Amazon. Treat yourself, don’t cheat yourself.

 

[Walking Coral]

Love @fishofhex, happy to see someone else follows him. Watched the video yesterday and certainly am excited to see what he can do with them.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[msporleder]

for freshwater nicrew is definitely the go-to brand for me to recommend. I'd love to try one of these guys out.

link for the humble refer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HVJJLX3/?tag=humblefish-20

 

[lynn.reef.nerd]

@telegraham what Gen of the Radion?

 

[telegraham]

@telegraham what Gen of the Radion?

Mine? Gen 4. Don’t know what Travis was using. I’d have to look back.

 

[Jposch]

So, would you say the Nicrew 150w is worth it over a cheaper smatfarm 95w? In my case, visual rendition is more important than optimized growth spectrum. basically, which would you use for a coral show? going to probably use a 40B, so i'm thinking the Nicrew would be a better spread, although come up a bit short. but, at the same time, the Smatfarm has 6 channels instead of only 2...if i was slightly wealthier, i'd get a certain lens-less light. ha

 

[telegraham]

So, would you say the Nicrew 150w is worth it over a cheaper smatfarm 95w? In my case, visual rendition is more important than optimized growth spectrum. basically, which would you use for a coral show? going to probably use a 40B, so i'm thinking the Nicrew would be a better spread, although come up a bit short. but, at the same time, the Smatfarm has 6 channels instead of only 2...if i was slightly wealthier, i'd get a certain lens-less light. ha

I'd pick the Nicrew 150W for a 40 breeder. 100%. No contest. That, and Amazon returns are free. Try it.

 

[msporleder]

I think the AI Prime might be worth it just for the better software/scheduling/dimming etc. The remote for the Nicrew is an extra $40 iirc

 

[Jposch]

I think the AI Prime might be worth it just for the better software/scheduling/dimming etc. The remote for the Nicrew is an extra $40 iirc

And, nicrew is still only 2 channels.

I'd pick the Nicrew 150W for a 40 breeder. 100%. No contest. That, and Amazon returns are free. Try it.

That I did. Thanks. I figured the extra power was worth it over the scheduling and extra channels. I should really replace these ancient AI Sols. Down to my last 4 power supplies, and just not sure it's worth it to keep replacing them. I do like the ramping and controller on the Sols. Maybe it'll magically work with the nicrew. I saw some had used the Kessel controller before.

 

[Jposch]

I think the AI Prime might be worth it just for the better software/scheduling/dimming etc. The remote for the Nicrew is an extra $40 iirc

But, melted lenses....lol if I wanted issues with a light, I'd gwt an $80 black box. I'm trying this new "but it right, not buy it twice" thing.

 

[andrewkw]

But, melted lenses....lol if I wanted issues with a light, I'd gwt an $80 black box. I'm trying this new "but it right, not buy it twice" thing.

What are you going to do with all the space you save if you're no longer collecting boxes of useless junk that was slightly cheaper then the useful stuff?

 

[Jposch]

What are you going to do with all the space you save if you're no longer collecting boxes of useless junk that was slightly cheaper then the useful stuff?

Hey! I never said I'd be getting rid of that!! Although, it's mostly gutted HOB filters, and useless or broken pumps. I did box up 3 halide pendants and put them in the garage, so progress, I suppose. Lol

 

[telegraham]

I think the AI Prime might be worth it just for the better software/scheduling/dimming etc. The remote for the Nicrew is an extra $40 iirc

I am so anti-AI Prime. It's an over-hyped and weak light. Set the Nicrew spectrum and attach it to a timer. Done. The controller is unnecessary.

 

[Jposch]

I am so anti-AI Prime. It's an over-hyped and weak light. Set the Nicrew spectrum and attach it to a timer. Done. The controller is unnecessary.

Watt:watt...ai prime,55w, 3x$250=$750
Nicrew 150w x 1=$185
Good enough for me. Ha

 

[msporleder]

I am so anti-AI Prime. It's an over-hyped and weak light. Set the Nicrew spectrum and attach it to a timer. Done. The controller is unnecessary.

They seem to claim pretty similar specs? I mean I know you obviously think about this waaaaaay more than me but are you saying these are false claims or that the other Nicrew's are a better deal?

Nicrew:
With a maximum spread of 24″ x 24″, the light has a peak PAR of 128µMol at a depth of 24 inches, perfect for small to medium reef tanks

ai prime
has a peak PAR of 100µMol at a depth of 24 inches, perfect for the small to medium reef tank. Drawing a maximum of 55 watts from the wall

 

[Jposch]

They seem to claim pretty similar specs? I mean I know you obviously think about this waaaaaay more than me but are you saying these are false claims or that the other Nicrew's are a better deal?

Nicrew:
With a maximum spread of 24″ x 24″, the light has a peak PAR of 128µMol at a depth of 24 inches, perfect for small to medium reef tanks

ai prime
has a peak PAR of 100µMol at a depth of 24 inches, perfect for the small to medium reef tank. Drawing a maximum of 55 watts from the wall

You'd have to see nicrew 50 tested in the same manner as the AI Prime to compare. But still an ADDDITIONAL 28umol/m for $150 LESS.
Either company could be testing in a way to inflate the numbers.

 

[Jposch]

@telegraham seeing a flicker. Did you notice that too. Or did i get a lemon?

 

[telegraham]

@telegraham seeing a flicker. Did you notice that too. Or did i get a lemon?View attachment 83466

You're not seeing it with your eyes, correct?

 

[telegraham]

that the other Nicrews are a better deal?

The Nicrews are a better deal.

 

[Jposch]

You're not seeing it with your eyes, correct?

Just barely. Like, a few hz lower than what would be detectable. Fwiw, on a screen, I can't tell any difference on refresh rate over 60hz, really. Ha
Seems to have stopped flickering/strobing now. As much as warranties and returns are cool, I just like stuff that works out of the box and the warranty service is uneeded. If it's still acting up today, I'll dig around for an extra power supply of the same rating. Seems to always come down to budget equipment coming with the worst power supplies possible.