This review dives into the Amazon Aquanite Hypergara LED lights, a budget-friendly option for reef tank illumination. We'll explore their performance, ease of use, and suitability for various coral types, offering a practical assessment for both beginners and experienced reef keepers. The review also touches upon the importance of proper water circulation in maintaining a healthy reef tank environment, highlighting a necessary pre-requisite for optimal coral growth regardless of lighting choice. This is particularly relevant given the affordability of these lights, ensuring readers understand the holistic needs of a thriving reef setup.The Aquanite Hypergara LEDs are evaluated based on several months of real-world use, examining coral growth under their illumination. We'll discuss the lights' simplicity, wattage, and potential limitations, particularly concerning the light intensity (PAR) required for different coral species. The review concludes with a comparison to more advanced lighting options, helping readers determine if these budget-friendly lights are the right choice for their specific reef tank needs and ultimately, whether an upgrade path is likely.
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Adding a Powerhead for Enhanced Water Flow
Before diving into the LED review, I addressed the need for improved water circulation in my reef tank. The existing flow wasn't ideal for coral health and overall tank dynamics. Adding a powerhead would help distribute nutrients and prevent dead spots.
I strategically positioned the powerhead to optimize flow without directly blasting sensitive corals. The initial setup involved aiming the powerhead upwards, allowing for adjustments based on coral response.
The powerhead immediately stirred up a surprising amount of detritus, highlighting the need for better circulation. While the fish initially seemed startled, the increased water movement was beneficial for coral health.
Amazon Aquanite Hypergara LED Overview
The Amazon Aquanite Hypergara LEDs are a budget-friendly option, typically priced between $60 and $75. I've used several versions over the past two years, and while the packaging is no longer available, the lights themselves remain easy to recognize.
The lights are incredibly simple to use, featuring two touch-sensitive buttons for adjusting white and blue LEDs. There are no advanced features like ramping or scheduling; it's a truly plug-and-play solution.
I generally set the lights to about 5 or 6 notches below full intensity, maintaining a relatively even balance between white and blue for a natural appearance.
PAR Levels, Wattage, and Controllability
The older versions of the lights I used were around 26 watts each, while newer models are 30 watts. This low wattage is typical for LEDs, resulting in low heat output and energy consumption.
While I don't have a PAR meter, I'll link a YouTube video in the description that provides more detailed PAR level information for these lights and similar models. At lower intensity, the lights provide sufficient illumination.
The simplicity of the lights is a pro for beginners, but the lack of advanced controls (like ramping or scheduling) might be a drawback for those with more demanding coral needs or larger tanks. I'd like more control in the future.
Coral Growth and Overall Performance
Over three months, I've observed growth in several coral species under these lights. Green star polyps, zoas, and leather coral all showed signs of healthy growth and expansion.
However, a red Montipora cap hasn't exhibited significant growth, indicating that these lights may not be ideal for all coral types, especially SPS corals. Softer corals and LPS species seem to thrive.
While these lights have been sufficient for my current setup, I anticipate upgrading to higher-end lights in the future for better control and potential support of more demanding corals.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The Amazon Aquanite Hypergara LEDs offer an affordable entry point into reef tank lighting. Their plug-and-play simplicity makes them great for beginners, but their limited controllability and potentially insufficient PAR for certain corals will likely lead to upgrades down the line.
For smaller nano tanks housing less demanding coral, they might be sufficient. However, for larger tanks or for keeping SPS corals, more powerful and controllable LEDs are recommended. For about $150 (the price of two Aquanite LEDs), I would consider the Kessil A80s instead.
Ultimately, while suitable for some corals, these lights lack the control and power of higher-end options. While suitable for entry-level reefing, for more advanced setups, upgrading is almost inevitable for optimal coral growth.