Made the switch to AI Sol...Questions

saltysailor2329 · 04/15/2012, 03:15 PM

Ok so I decided to take the plunge and switch to LED from MH. I just wasn't getting the colors that I wanted out of the corals and fish. So I bought 3 AI Sols and the controller.

The reason I went with the AIs is because I have an AI Nano running on my 14g that I won in a raffle. That didn't come with a controller so I also bought another controller for the Nano.

I just got them yesterday and was playing around with them.

I have to finish my canopy and then figure out how to DIY a mount since the AI mounting rail orientates them the opposite way that I want them orientated. Does anyone have any ideas or plans that they have done that you can share with me?

I also have an issue with the controller not really working with my AI Nano. Can someone help me out with this. Each time I set the controller to the AI Nano it changes itself to the AI Sol Royal Blue...also it doesn't seem to control the lights at all. Can't start a thunderstorm or even get the controller to turn off the lights.

Thanks

saltysailor2329 · 04/15/2012, 04:33 PM

Ok so I'm starting to think that I'm a complete idiot because I can't get the controller to work on my AI Nano. Right now the controller is stating that the first timer started at 12 pm and should be on the following settings...white 90 blue 90 and royal blue 90. However, it appears as though there are only blues/royal blues are on.

What the heck am I doing wrong?

saltysailor2329 · 04/15/2012, 04:41 PM

Ok so an update. I switched to the other controller and am able to get the AI Nano to work so I'm thinking I may have gotten a bum controller. I tried resetting factory settings and that didn't work. Any ideas? I'm going to hook it up to the computer and see if I can reload software and see if that will work.

Any thoughts or help are much appreciated.

saltysailor2329 · 04/15/2012, 04:48 PM

Ok so hooked it up to the computer and computer states that the USB drive is not recognized. Anyone else run into this problem?

cherubfish pair · 04/15/2012, 06:52 PM

saltysailor2329,

pm sent.

TexasMike · 04/15/2012, 07:39 PM

Have you updated the firmware?

Alkamist · 04/15/2012, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltysailor2329

Ok so hooked it up to the computer and computer states that the USB drive is not recognized. Anyone else run into this problem?

i have the same problem when updating, i couldn't figure it out so i left it alone

TexasMike · 04/15/2012, 07:59 PM

While pressing and holding the controller knob down, connect to the USB cable

http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/u...irmware-ai-sol

saltysailor2329 · 04/15/2012, 08:00 PM

It is version 3.4 which is the newest version.

Not sure why it wouldn't recognize the device since it is new unless something is wrong with the controller itself.

saltysailor2329 · 04/15/2012, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasMike

While pressing and holding the controller knob down, connect to the USB cable

http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/u...irmware-ai-sol

Ok I will try that next. Thanks

saltysailor2329 · 05/02/2012, 01:54 PM

Well figured I would update this thread. I wound up getting on the phone with Justin and we determined that I received a faulty controller. He immediately shipped me out another with return postage for the bad one. Received the new one two days later, hooked it up and it worked perfectly.

So now today, I have all three AIs running and I love them. I'm thinking I might add a fourth one, but I will wait to see how the growth goes over the next couple of months.

A+ on customer service for AI.

anbosu · 05/02/2012, 02:04 PM

How is the coverage on your 125 with 3? Good? Also, how high do you have them mounted over the water?

hkgar · 05/02/2012, 02:31 PM

Here is a picture of how I mounted mine

I used shelving from a hardware store which will allow you to mount them parallel or perpendicular

I did have to cut a hole in the top of the canopy.

bnumair · 05/02/2012, 02:37 PM

i am glad u like them. i have 6 of them on my 240 and i love them too and they are easy to setup.

saltysailor2329 · 05/02/2012, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anbosu

How is the coverage on your 125 with 3? Good? Also, how high do you have them mounted over the water?

Coverage is very good with the three. The only reason I'm thinking I may want to add another one is if growth isn't up to snuff. We will see in a couple of months though. I also thought about adding some of the screw bulb type LEDs and to spot light some specific areas/corals of the tank. We will see though.

saltysailor2329 · 05/02/2012, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkgar

Here is a picture of how I mounted mine

I used shelving from a hardware store which will allow you to mount them parallel or perpendicular

I did have to cut a hole in the top of the canopy.

I like your mounting system. I used a 36" hanging kit and connected each 36" piece on end to come up with 72" and then used HVAC strapping to suspend them in the canopy. Works great so far.

saltysailor2329 · 05/02/2012, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anbosu

How is the coverage on your 125 with 3? Good? Also, how high do you have them mounted over the water?

Mine are 10" off the water. My canopy is suspended with chain so I will adjust as necessary.

04/15/2012, 03:15 PM	#1
saltysailor2329 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Frederick, CO Posts: 547	Made the switch to AI Sol...Questions Ok so I decided to take the plunge and switch to LED from MH. I just wasn't getting the colors that I wanted out of the corals and fish. So I bought 3 AI Sols and the controller. The reason I went with the AIs is because I have an AI Nano running on my 14g that I won in a raffle. That didn't come with a controller so I also bought another controller for the Nano. I just got them yesterday and was playing around with them. I have to finish my canopy and then figure out how to DIY a mount since the AI mounting rail orientates them the opposite way that I want them orientated. Does anyone have any ideas or plans that they have done that you can share with me? I also have an issue with the controller not really working with my AI Nano. Can someone help me out with this. Each time I set the controller to the AI Nano it changes itself to the AI Sol Royal Blue...also it doesn't seem to control the lights at all. Can't start a thunderstorm or even get the controller to turn off the lights. Thanks __________________ 200g DD has been wet since March 16, 2013!!!! Running 40g breeder w/20L sump is currently acting as the QT. Last edited by saltysailor2329; 04/15/2012 at 03:17 PM. Reason: edit

04/15/2012, 04:33 PM	#2
saltysailor2329 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Frederick, CO Posts: 547	Ok so I'm starting to think that I'm a complete idiot because I can't get the controller to work on my AI Nano. Right now the controller is stating that the first timer started at 12 pm and should be on the following settings...white 90 blue 90 and royal blue 90. However, it appears as though there are only blues/royal blues are on. What the heck am I doing wrong? __________________ 200g DD has been wet since March 16, 2013!!!! Running 40g breeder w/20L sump is currently acting as the QT.

04/15/2012, 04:41 PM	#3
saltysailor2329 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Frederick, CO Posts: 547	Ok so an update. I switched to the other controller and am able to get the AI Nano to work so I'm thinking I may have gotten a bum controller. I tried resetting factory settings and that didn't work. Any ideas? I'm going to hook it up to the computer and see if I can reload software and see if that will work. Any thoughts or help are much appreciated. __________________ 200g DD has been wet since March 16, 2013!!!! Running 40g breeder w/20L sump is currently acting as the QT.

04/15/2012, 04:48 PM	#4
saltysailor2329 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Frederick, CO Posts: 547	Ok so hooked it up to the computer and computer states that the USB drive is not recognized. Anyone else run into this problem? __________________ 200g DD has been wet since March 16, 2013!!!! Running 40g breeder w/20L sump is currently acting as the QT.

04/15/2012, 06:52 PM	#5
cherubfish pair Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Libby, Montana Posts: 7,061 Blog Entries: 1	saltysailor2329, pm sent. __________________ pairo chero Thanks for looking at my build thread and subscribe to it if you already haven't yet! Current Tank Info: thirty rimless

04/15/2012, 07:39 PM	#6
TexasMike Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Clear Lake, Tx Posts: 165	Have you updated the firmware? __________________ 120g. mixed reef, 40g refugium, 3 AI SOL Blue, BRS GFO and carbon reactors, BR-110 Reef Octopus Bio Pellet Reactor Octopus XP 2000 Skimmer, JBJ ATO, Milwaukee PH probe, 1 MP40, 2 Koralia 3's, 1/4 Oceanic chiller 3 Dispar Anthias, 3 Chromis, 1 Diamond Goby, 1 McCosker's Flasher Wrasse

04/15/2012, 07:59 PM	#8
TexasMike Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Clear Lake, Tx Posts: 165	While pressing and holding the controller knob down, connect to the USB cable http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/u...irmware-ai-sol __________________ 120g. mixed reef, 40g refugium, 3 AI SOL Blue, BRS GFO and carbon reactors, BR-110 Reef Octopus Bio Pellet Reactor Octopus XP 2000 Skimmer, JBJ ATO, Milwaukee PH probe, 1 MP40, 2 Koralia 3's, 1/4 Oceanic chiller 3 Dispar Anthias, 3 Chromis, 1 Diamond Goby, 1 McCosker's Flasher Wrasse

04/15/2012, 08:00 PM	#9
saltysailor2329 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Frederick, CO Posts: 547	It is version 3.4 which is the newest version. Not sure why it wouldn't recognize the device since it is new unless something is wrong with the controller itself. __________________ 200g DD has been wet since March 16, 2013!!!! Running 40g breeder w/20L sump is currently acting as the QT.

05/02/2012, 01:54 PM	#11
saltysailor2329 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Frederick, CO Posts: 547	Well figured I would update this thread. I wound up getting on the phone with Justin and we determined that I received a faulty controller. He immediately shipped me out another with return postage for the bad one. Received the new one two days later, hooked it up and it worked perfectly. So now today, I have all three AIs running and I love them. I'm thinking I might add a fourth one, but I will wait to see how the growth goes over the next couple of months. A+ on customer service for AI. __________________ 200g DD has been wet since March 16, 2013!!!! Running 40g breeder w/20L sump is currently acting as the QT.

05/02/2012, 02:04 PM	#12
anbosu Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mount Juliet, TN Posts: 4,528	How is the coverage on your 125 with 3? Good? Also, how high do you have them mounted over the water?

05/02/2012, 02:31 PM	#13
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Mounting in a canopy Here is a picture of how I mounted mine I used shelving from a hardware store which will allow you to mount them parallel or perpendicular I did have to cut a hole in the top of the canopy. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

05/02/2012, 02:37 PM	#14
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	i am glad u like them. i have 6 of them on my 240 and i love them too and they are easy to setup. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE