Solaris I5 Light Spread

LSUtiger · 03/12/2009, 07:57 PM

I'm curious if the Solaris owners out there think that the light spread would be an issue on a 22" wide tank. The height of the tank is 20" with a 36" length.

I'm debating taking a chance on the now warranty-less Solaris if prices come down. I'd love to cut down on evaporation.

Thanks for the feedback.

Mark

SWSaltwater · 03/12/2009, 09:24 PM

easily 22" wide

bklynreefdude · 03/13/2009, 08:25 AM

Ummmm...not only warranty less, but support less. I would think more than twice about this since I have had issues with mine much like everyone else who owns them. Granted mine is the "Chinese" I4 but you would be buying an item from a company that doesn't exist anymore. What happens when your power supply goes out or you start losing LED strips? If you're good with DIY electronics then maybe it's a different story. The beams are pretty tight. I bought a canopy to raise the unit up a bit and my tank is 18" back to front.

LSUtiger · 03/13/2009, 11:49 AM

Thanks for the replies. I understand that champion lighting makes a power supply that will work for the Solaris. I am not good with DIY electronics, but I suppose I could be forced to learn.

I haven't made a decision yet. I'd probably need the price to come down significantly...to the point where if they turned out to be a bust, the cost of a new MH fixture would keep my total cost below what the new LED systems cost now. At that point, worst case scenario would be that my total lighting investment would be that of a new LED system and all I'd have to show was a MH fixture....not too terrible. This is my way of possibly justifying it.

Mark

bklynreefdude · 03/13/2009, 03:07 PM

Mark:

I see what you're saying but you might should just wait 6 months to see how this all plays out. LEDs will be the future but the Orbitec lawsuit has got things in a tangle. I'm not sure how Aqua Illumination is going to get out of this but there are already a bunch of folks making their own. Yes, of course if you can get an I5 say under a grand go for it but I'm just not sure if that's going to happen. Be patient, I was but of course now I have some remorse.

Matt

xlayedoutx · 03/13/2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bklynreefdude
Ummmm...not only warranty less, but support less. I would think more than twice about this since I have had issues with mine much like everyone else who owns them. .

Ummmm.... I've never had a problem with my I-4. Been running for a year now.

bklynreefdude · 03/14/2009, 08:26 AM

xlayedoutx

You are the fortunate one.

03/12/2009, 07:57 PM	#1
LSUtiger Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Louisiana Posts: 128	Solaris I5 Light Spread I'm curious if the Solaris owners out there think that the light spread would be an issue on a 22" wide tank. The height of the tank is 20" with a 36" length. I'm debating taking a chance on the now warranty-less Solaris if prices come down. I'd love to cut down on evaporation. Thanks for the feedback. Mark

03/13/2009, 08:25 AM	#3
bklynreefdude Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 107	Caveat Emptor Ummmm...not only warranty less, but support less. I would think more than twice about this since I have had issues with mine much like everyone else who owns them. Granted mine is the "Chinese" I4 but you would be buying an item from a company that doesn't exist anymore. What happens when your power supply goes out or you start losing LED strips? If you're good with DIY electronics then maybe it's a different story. The beams are pretty tight. I bought a canopy to raise the unit up a bit and my tank is 18" back to front.

03/12/2009, 09:24 PM	#2
SWSaltwater Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Arizona, Tucson Posts: 1,119	easily 22" wide

03/13/2009, 11:49 AM	#4
LSUtiger Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Louisiana Posts: 128	Thanks for the replies. I understand that champion lighting makes a power supply that will work for the Solaris. I am not good with DIY electronics, but I suppose I could be forced to learn. I haven't made a decision yet. I'd probably need the price to come down significantly...to the point where if they turned out to be a bust, the cost of a new MH fixture would keep my total cost below what the new LED systems cost now. At that point, worst case scenario would be that my total lighting investment would be that of a new LED system and all I'd have to show was a MH fixture....not too terrible. This is my way of possibly justifying it. Mark

03/13/2009, 03:07 PM	#5
bklynreefdude Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 107	Mark: I see what you're saying but you might should just wait 6 months to see how this all plays out. LEDs will be the future but the Orbitec lawsuit has got things in a tangle. I'm not sure how Aqua Illumination is going to get out of this but there are already a bunch of folks making their own. Yes, of course if you can get an I5 say under a grand go for it but I'm just not sure if that's going to happen. Be patient, I was but of course now I have some remorse. Matt

03/14/2009, 08:26 AM	#7
bklynreefdude Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 107	xlayedoutx You are the fortunate one.