Marine Depot Features Orphek at Reefapalooza

Marine Depot featuring the PR-156 in black at Reefapalooza last month

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introducing the PR-156W

[caption id="attachment_198" align="alignnone" width="720"] orphek-PR156w[/caption]

Today we'd like to introduce the PR-156W!  The PR-156W is virtually identical to our popular PR-156 model but instead of clear 90 degree lenses for up to 40" of water penetration, it features frosted 120 degree reflectors for increased coverage in wider, shallower aquariums.  Reef aquarists looking for a superior LED light but don't need the incredible intensity of the PR-156 will find the PR-156W fits their needs perfectly!  The PR-156 is best used on aquariums 28" or shallower, (and for those with canopies without a lot of clearance) and will be more economical for those needing 'spread' rather than 'punch'.  The PR-156W will be available from our dealers soon.  Unfortunately, the wide angle lenses will not be available to convert existing PR-156 models to the PR-156W model.

Orphek Lighting Now Available at Marine Depot!

Production ramped up sooner than expected, and our PR-156 is now available from Marine Depot (with free shipping!) to US customers in both black and white - experience the Orphek Difference today!

The Power LED: Superior PUR, Spectrum, and Color Rendering

Most hobbyists don't realize that they have a choice in diode technology.   The aquarium lighting market is bombarded with fixtures that only feature diodes manufactured by Cree; as they were one of the first manufacturers to make diodes for reef aquarium usage.

While proven to keep coral,  diodes from Cree have low PAR:PUR ratios, a limited spectral profile, color rendering that leaves many hobbyists unsatisfied, and a less than stellar track record with other photosynthetic invertebrates such as clams and anemones.  This should come as no surprise for those in the know - Cree is an incredibly large LED manufacturer and the aquarium market is too small of a market for such a large company to develop for, as a rule.

In this post I'd like to talk about why our Power LED is superior to any other diode on the market, and then provide third party testing data to prove the points made.

 

 

[caption id="attachment_72" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The above independently generated full-fixture  spectrograph of our PR-25UV pendant illustrates why our diode is superior for lighting photosynthetic invertebrates.[/caption]

Compare the above spectrophotometry report to one of the various Cree diode models used in the hobby, and you will notice a few things instantly about the Power LED:
1) Truly full spectrum output
2) Very high output in the PUR wavelengths for marine invertebrates with less output wasted elsewhere

The full spectral profile emitted (400nm to 760nm) means improved color rendering: truly broad spectrum comes superior color rendition, in addition to happier invertebrates.  Although the somewhat outdated measurement CRI (color rendering index) is similar between the Power LED and Cree's X series, CRI is an inadequate way to compare color rendition in the home aquarium, due to fluorescence and other factors.  The Power LED is the only diode that produces such a broad spectral output.

Not all light can be used by coral, and in fact, even lights that emit a very high PAR value can be completely useless for illuminating a reef aquarium.  What must be considered is PUR (photosythetically usable radiation) for photosynthetic marine invertebrates.

The PUR percentage of the PAR output is higher for the Power LED than it is for any other diode.  Approximately 50% of the light energy output of a Cree XP-G or XR-G diode is wasted, as it doesn't fall into the PUR range for photosynthetic marine invertebrates.  (put in power led par ratio).  What does this mean for your aquarium?  It means more efficiency, less wasted energy and heat, improved coral health and growth, more coralline algae, less nuisance algae, and a greener footprint!

In summary, our proprietary Power LED diode has no comparison.  We heard the complaints of Cree and Luxeon users, and created an LED specifically for reef aquarists.  Once you experience the Orphek Difference, you won't look back!

Orphek PR-156 Reef Aquarium LED Light

[caption id="attachment_52" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Orphek PR-156 Reef Aquarium LED Light[/caption]

Orphek PR-156 Reef Aquarium LED Light

Dealers and customers have been inquiring as to where they can purchase the unit, how much it will cost, and what kind warranty and repair work we are going to offer on our PR-156 light, so let me shed some light on these issues!

Distribution to dealers in the USA:  we are offering two options to dealers:
1)  Dealers and LFS can purchase from one of our two US distributors beginning in mid to late November
2) Purchase directly from Orphek (dealers are welcome to contact info@orphek.com for inquiries )

 

 

Customers in Canada will soon be able to purchase from stores and online retailers nationwide, also most likely mid to late December, but possibly as late as January.  MSRP to be announced.

Now that distribution has begun, we are prohibiting dealers and distributors from cross-region selling, so you'll need to purchase from a dealer (online or local) in your country.

A lot of you know prices have varied wildly over the last two months, and the blame lies on Orphek for not being more clear about our pre-launch special pricing, and incremental MSRP increases.  The plan was to provide the lights at cost as an incentive to get them into customers hands (the only complaints we receive are from those that don't own our light - everyone who's used it has loved it, no exceptions so far!) and slowly ramp up the price to the actual MSRP.  Unfortunately, during most of this process I wasn't working for Orphek, and without a representative for you guys on this side of the pond,  this info wasn't made readily available.  I'm here now, and trying to shed some light on what happened!

Warranty coverage:  we offer a one year warranty on the entire unit, and a three year warranty on the diodes.  In the unlikely event a diode burns out or another issue develops, we will send you a new unit, and then you send the old unit back to us in the same box, so your corals won't have to be without light.  We rigorously quality test to minimize hardware failures, of course.

Please feel free to post questions !

PR-156 Now Available in Black!

PR-156 Now Available in Black!

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Available in time for the holidays, worldwide!