Jeff, I started with a max of 20,30,30 with my fixtures 12 inches from the top of the tank which put them 14 inches above the water. I took my time raising them and still ended up burning a few corals so I've backed them off again. Right now my max is 35,45,45. I don't know if it is because this is a shallow frag tank with everything close to the same height but I haven't been able to get everyone happy at the same time. Most of my chalices and zoas look great but my incrusting montis aren't doing as well. Of course it doesn't help that since we are trying to sell the house I have been ignoring the tank and it shows.
Aqua Illumination, everything you want to know!
- Thread starter mapleredta
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Excuse the newb LED question, but what is the difference between the two optics? Does it come with the 70 optics or is that an upgrade? I am planning out a 120 build right now... and I am hoping that two of these will be enough for sps and an anemone.
(I am completely new to LED, only know the advantages of them).
(I am completely new to LED, only know the advantages of them).
The optics are the focus beam of the light. LEDs are not like T5's which flood light over huge areas. They require the light to be focused. On the stock AI unit, there are 8 LED Pucks (each with 3 LEDs on them). The 4 outer corner pucks are focused at 70 degrees and the inner pucks are focused at 40 degrees.
A 70 degree beam is much wider than a 40 degree beam which is narrower and more focused. In switching out the 40's for 70's you can spread light over a greater area while hanging the fixture closer to the water. However, with a wider spread you get less penetration so you have to consider that as well.
A 70 degree beam is much wider than a 40 degree beam which is narrower and more focused. In switching out the 40's for 70's you can spread light over a greater area while hanging the fixture closer to the water. However, with a wider spread you get less penetration so you have to consider that as well.
Thank you so much- that makes sense. I suppose if I just keep it with the 40's I can place the corals that need more light below and plan out the aquascape that way. Does anyone have pictures of their tanks with the AI's on it that they wouldn't mind posting? I like the 14k look on MH's the best, and it seems a lot of people on here like the more blue look, so I am curious to see some examples.
From what I understand, with the exception of really deep tanks, the 70 degree optics spread the light out more, but you can still grow SPS on the sandbed. I have no first hand experience as of yet...still got a few weeks till I get my units in.
CJ
Just so you all know, if you can do some DIY, you can build these for half the cost. I was interested in these but I would have needed to buy 4 units for my 48" 120g and that would have been well over $2000.
I built this for half of that and it uses the same LEDs and is just as controllable with my Reef Keeper/ALCs.
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I built this for half of that and it uses the same LEDs and is just as controllable with my Reef Keeper/ALCs.
seth the wine guy
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I've got SPS 4" off the bottom of a 24" tank with 70 degree optics and so far so good. That's with my white's now dialed DOWN to 50% and blues at 90%.
Two units on a 120g run length wise. I had to move some favia in the sand bed to the corners of the tank because they were starting to bleach. These are PAR monsters.
Anybody have a PAR meter they're willing to loan?
seth the wine guy
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Yep, all you need to do is give them a $250 deposit and they will hold one for you when they arrive. :yuk:
reefgeek.com put me on a list and didn't charge me until 2 days before they shipped, giving me full right to back out the entire time.
As a follow up, I bumped my lights up to 30% peak yesterday as one of my nems started walking which I can only attribute to the lighting change. have to watch the corals, but nothing seemed to be even remotely complaining at 25%.
As a follow up, I bumped my lights up to 30% peak yesterday as one of my nems started walking which I can only attribute to the lighting change. have to watch the corals, but nothing seemed to be even remotely complaining at 25%.
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Anyone seen Al's new light set to release in the fall? I wonder how much the upgrade is going to cost to do on the Sol.
seth the wine guy
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No. I think it will happen in short order given they have competitors lining up. Ecotech in particular.
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That's what I'm afraid of. I still want more info on what these new features add to the mix.
