Our initial thoughts of the the Orphek Nilus multicolor LED fixture were favorable as both the spectrum and the spread of light were impressive. As if the company took Mark vanderWal’s post complaining of the lack of spread of modern led fixtures to heart, they came up with something even better with the Orphek Atlantik. Boasting 78 diodes this fixture has a spread even larger than it’s predecessor, especially in tanks that are already grown in and established, this is absolutely a big plus.
Next to the even larger size and amount of photons shot into the tank, controllability has been improved. While the controller of the Nilus was definitely better than just the old on/off switch we were used to with our MHs and T5s, it was a bit basic. Now with the Orphek Atlantik, four channels (including blue, red, UV, 12,000K and 17,000K LEDs) can be programmed separately, cloud-simulation is possible and the controller also features pre-set programs with names like ‘Coral Color and Growth’. The controller can be connected with a USB cable to the unit. After ‘uploading’ the chosen settings to the unit, the controller can be disconnected and stored somewhere else.
At first, it seems strange to have one controller to ‘upload’ the programs unit by unit. Soon enough it is easy to appreciate the fact that with just a few simple clicks on the small box, the lights can be programmed independent from each other. For example, sunrise on one end of the tank, sunset on the other end. Also a separate controller leads to less ‘clutter’ of wires around the tank.
The units each have four fans and after a few months of use we can tell you they are still whisper-quiet. The same applies to the fans in the driver boxes, which only cool the MeanWell-drivers when necessary, which is nearly never. Most of the LEDs used in the fixture were produced specifically for Orphek to their specifications. An example of the spectrograph of such a led can be found on its website. Orphek informed us that the unit was designed to maximize coral growth while still having a spectrum pleasant to the eye.
And indeed, growth and colouration under these fixtures is great. Pieter-six-meter’s tank is now lit with these fixtures as well, next to some DIF-XP multi chip-fixtures which supply more shimmer. Make sure you see the YouTube video below of our tank lit under these lights.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc3veALbLGM
The power has increased from the 120 W of the Nilus to 186 watt for the Atlantik. It can be bought online and in your lfs for $849,- for the unit and $80,- for the controller. More information on availability on the company’s website.
