Installing Reef Breeders Edge Bars on the UNS 90 — Are They Worth It?
If you're running the Reef Breeders Meridian system and your SPS corals are hungry for more light, the Edge Bar might be exactly what you've been looking for. In this video, Henry from Nature Aquariums walks through a full installation of the Reef Breeders Edge Bar on our in-store UNS 90 reef tank — and puts it to the test with a PAR meter.
The Edge Bar can be used as a standalone fixture or added to an existing Meridian setup. Henry runs it as a third independent light to dial in extra power specifically over his acropora colonies without affecting the rest of his lighting schedule.
Unboxing & Build Quality
Out of the box, the build quality is excellent. You get solid aluminum construction, polished reflectors, articulating mounts with angle markers, and a clean carrying handle on the power supply. Installation is completely modular — no extra brackets needed, no additional purchases required. The Reef Breeders team clearly put thought into the design.
Installation
The install process is straightforward. Henry walks through mounting the articulating arms, popping out the rubber grommets, and positioning the bar for maximum coverage. One tip: mount the adjustment knobs facing outward so you can make angle changes easily without reaching over the tank.
PAR Results — The Numbers Don't Lie
This is where things get exciting. Running whites only, the Edge Bar pushed PAR from around 60 to over 200 in the center of the tank — an increase of roughly 170 PAR. Out toward the edges, readings jumped from 50 to around 140. That's a massive boost in coverage and intensity from a single add-on bar.
With the Meridian 11s running a full program plus the Edge Bar added in, center readings climbed into the 400–430 PAR range — fluctuating with wave action. That is serious reef lighting.
Important: Don't Skip Acclimation
Here's the part Henry wants to make sure you don't skip. Those numbers are impressive — but you cannot just flip this on full blast. Corals that have been living in the 200 PAR range cannot suddenly handle 400+. The fastest way to burn your corals is a sudden PAR spike.
Henry's recommended approach: Start low and raise in 20–30 PAR increments, giving your corals several weeks to adapt at each level. Plan on a 4–6 week acclimation window before you reach your target PAR. Take your time. It's worth it.
Video Chapters
- 0:00 — Introduction & UNS 90 overview
- 0:20 — Why Henry added the Edge Bar & how it fits the Meridian system
- 1:05 — Edge Bar explained: standalone vs. add-on, SPS lighting strategy
- 1:51 — Unboxing: build quality, articulating mounts, power supply
- 2:50 — Closer look at reflectors and mounting hardware
- 3:25 — Installation walkthrough
- 7:54 — PAR testing: whites only — before and after numbers
- 9:15 — Adjusting angle for optimal PAR distribution
- 12:39 — Running whites only — what this bar alone can do
- 13:03 — Full Meridian program + Edge Bar: 400–430 PAR results
- 14:05 — Acclimation protocol — how to safely ramp up PAR
- 15:21 — Final verdict & what to expect
Final Verdict
The Reef Breeders Edge Bar is well worth it. The build quality is excellent, the installation is clean and modular, and the PAR output is genuinely impressive. If you're running a Meridian system and want to push your acros, this is the add-on to get. Just remember to bring it up slowly.
A follow-up video is coming to document coral growth over the next few months — stay tuned.
Shop Reef Breeders lighting and more at natureaquariums.com — shipped right to your door.
