thinking about getting an AI SOL

[A_Z]

as I ponder about lighting I thought of an AI SOL (12inch) unit would a single unit suffice for a tank: 36" L X 15" W X 20" H

mixed sofites only

also anyone have any pictures of how it is supposed to be setup?

does it have legs like T5 fixtures do? I can't hang it either.

opinions on how to mount would be great!

[96p993]

I would say 2 would work...for your other questions I would go to their website...plenty of info and pics

[A_Z]

Hi thanks so here is what my order would look like, let me know if I am missing something?

2 AI SOL Units (both Blue, what is the difference from the white?)
1 36 inch mounting rail.
1 AI controller.

[pmrossetti]

you got it mate.the white is 10k at 100percent, the blue more 14k

you want the blue.

[A_Z]

Originally Posted by pmrossetti

you got it mate.the white is 10k at 100percent, the blue more 14k

you want the blue.

thanks

for the mounting rail kit, is that like T5 fixtures that have legs? or does it need to be hanged?

[jr_casteel1999]

they have a hanging kit or the 36 in rails with legs. yes it will go on your tank just like a t5 fixture.

[A_Z]

Originally Posted by jr_casteel1999

they have a hanging kit or the 36 in rails with legs. yes it will go on your tank just like a t5 fixture.

thank you

[Malyon18]

Yes go with the blue, it gives you way more options on the colour you want

[125mph]

You would be good with 3 AI Sol Nanos too!

[A_Z]

do you think I could use 2 on a 48 inch tank too?

[ir_danno22]

I have 2 over my 30" long 29 gallon tank with great coverage. 3 over a 48" tank would probably do the trick. I was pretty impressed with the spread and intensity with the lights hanging 10" from the surface of the water. The blue sol is the way to go in my own opinion. I also heard the prices of these are coming down as well since newer lights are out on the market. df

[spivey73]

I had 2 above a 48 long 90 when I first set up. I too am in a canopy and and only 7 in AWL. I could def see some spotting and shading. Instead of raising or getting rid of it (cuz we are all planning our next build lol) I ended up purchasing another. Now have 3 longways 48 in across. Beautiful coverage now.

[spivey73]

And JfFi the mounting legs will put you very low. They can be mounted in your canopy pretty easily.

[DiscusHeckel]

When you buy a AI Sol blue unit do you specify your choice of optic lenses, i.e. 40 degree or 70 degree.

I read that some people have all 70 degree optics. My reading on AI's web site suggests that optics are mixed. I am a bit confused.

Thanks

[spivey73]

The optics come mixed standard. You can add 70 optics for 25$ anytime

[spivey73]

http://www.aquaillumination.com/supp...ent-parts.html

[DiscusHeckel]

Originally Posted by spivey73

http://www.aquaillumination.com/supp...ent-parts.html

Thank you.

The net surface area of my tank is 520 mm X 450 mm (I deducted the width of brace bars and pelmet). My tank is 24" deep. I assume that

1. I will need two units (???)
2. probably I will be OK with the standard lenses provided

Can you please comment on my assumptions?

[spivey73]

Originally Posted by DiscusHeckel

Thank you.

The net surface area of my tank is 520 mm X 450 mm (I deducted the width of brace bars and pelmet). My tank is 24" deep. I assume that

1. I will need two units (???)
2. probably I will be OK with the standard lenses provided

Can you please comment on my assumptions?

20 in x 17 in approximately?

I'm still learning and was just answering the question I DID know. I'm no expert I just pick things up quickly. But IMHO 1 wud probably do ya depending how your tank was laid out. But that is merely based on what I've picked up and seen. I'm still tweaking my own.

[A_Z]

Thanks for all the replies

Originally Posted by spivey73

I had 2 above a 48 long 90 when I first set up. I too am in a canopy and and only 7 in AWL. I could def see some spotting and shading. Instead of raising or getting rid of it (cuz we are all planning our next build lol) I ended up purchasing another. Now have 3 longways 48 in across. Beautiful coverage now.

this tank would be a 75g. My aquascape would be twin islands on each side with an AI mounted above each in the canopy. It won't have any SPS/LPS, clams or anything just soft corals. Think two units is sufficient for this application?

Originally Posted by spivey73

And JfFi the mounting legs will put you very low. They can be mounted in your canopy pretty easily.

Hi how would I do that?

[spivey73]

No prob. I'm not some super gamer with no RL that's gonna call you a newb for not being able to find stuff in hundreds of pages lmao. Sharing is what it's about.

At 48 inches long even just keeping softies, if you have it less than close to 12 inches above the water line, you may see the 2 lights independently instead of just a lit tank. No spread. not evn just for husbandry but for aesthetics. If you can get them up you will be fine. Personally I started with the 2 to see how it looked and just added another once I saw the coverage from where I was. But that was just for me I chose to get another unsted of raising my canopy, but either would of worked.

Mounting was pretty easy the rails have a screw hole in the end, and the units themselves use standard hardware #10. I just went to hardware store and got 3 inch L brackets and screwed into the end of the hanging bracket. Took about 3 bucks and 10 minutes.

[spivey73]