Apex Aquacontroller and LED light fixture suggestions?

BigPurp · 10/06/2012, 07:53 PM

Hello,

I'm getting ready to upgrade to a 105 gallon, rimless tank. 48x24x??

My question is: What is the easiest, most functional LED fixture to use with an Apex controller? I'm looking for functionality, ease of use, par readings, etc.

Please chime in with concerns, suggestions, etc. I've read so much conflicting information, and I'd like to hear from actual owners/users of this equipment.

Thanks!!
p.s.
As of right now, I'm leaning Radions, but I've read that the software is a nightmare. The AI seem like a good replacement, but so do the Vertex fixtures.

r-balljunkie · 10/06/2012, 08:03 PM

most lighting fixtures operate independant of your controller, have theyre own means of controlling output with intuitive controls. if you go the DIY route, i think you can interlink operability, but you gotta know what your doing to get it to work.

c

rldcpa · 10/07/2012, 06:01 AM

Apollo has new dimable LED lights for $399 each that must be used with a controller like the Apex. I am thinking of getting 3.

Cbechdel · 10/07/2012, 07:08 AM

I just recently got the apollos. I have 3 for my 7' tank and they seem to cover pretty well.

I use my apex to control them. I haven't gotten too crazy with them yet but they work well enough. they don't take advantage of lightning storm features other may but who really cares. I run fresh water, so cant speak at all to their usefulness in marine environments.

The lunar LEDS are only on/off controllable, no dimming. The blue and whites are fully controllable with apex. Note that out of the box, you cant even turn on the white or blues without control from apex or some other controller. Lunar lights can be on and of out of the box and need no controller

As to control, I have noticed I can't go much below 20% intensity when ramping them, and I find that still pretty bright for my fresh needs, but assume they have lots of light needed for marine.

Down side was all the cabling they needed! each light had 3 IEC (computer style "d" power cords) and a network cable to run. SO my string of 3 lights ended up with 12 cables running! that was insane, cables weighted nearly as much as the laps when all was done. I ended up buying 3 "y" style power cables to run to the blue/whites since they run together, and left a single with the lunar, so this cut my power cords down a bit at least.

If you end up needing 3 fixtures, be sure to get the network cable "Y" adapter to allow you to daisy chain them if getting 3 or more. if you get only 2, you won't need one if you cable each separately to the apex VDM controller module ( it has 2 network variable outlets), however if you want the 2 fixtures to work together, then you will need the Y adapter so you can cable them into a single variable outlet saving you duplicate programming in apex.

rldcpa · 10/07/2012, 06:05 PM

Do you have them mounted about 8" off the water as they suggest? Do you hang them from the ceiling?

jwoyshnar · 10/07/2012, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rldcpa

Apollo has new dimable LED lights for $399 each that must be used with a controller like the Apex. I am thinking of getting 3.

I have 3 of them and I'm going to go pick up another one tomorrow. Very good light with great customer service. I have the added bonus of living 5 miles from the owner. He stands behind the lights totally

10/06/2012, 07:53 PM	#1
BigPurp Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Norman, OK Posts: 41	Apex Aquacontroller and LED light fixture suggestions? Hello, I'm getting ready to upgrade to a 105 gallon, rimless tank. 48x24x?? My question is: What is the easiest, most functional LED fixture to use with an Apex controller? I'm looking for functionality, ease of use, par readings, etc. Please chime in with concerns, suggestions, etc. I've read so much conflicting information, and I'd like to hear from actual owners/users of this equipment. Thanks!! p.s. As of right now, I'm leaning Radions, but I've read that the software is a nightmare. The AI seem like a good replacement, but so do the Vertex fixtures.

10/06/2012, 08:03 PM	#2
r-balljunkie Registered Reefer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Doha, Qatar Posts: 2,059	most lighting fixtures operate independant of your controller, have theyre own means of controlling output with intuitive controls. if you go the DIY route, i think you can interlink operability, but you gotta know what your doing to get it to work. c

10/07/2012, 06:01 AM	#3
rldcpa Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 498	Apollo has new dimable LED lights for $399 each that must be used with a controller like the Apex. I am thinking of getting 3.

10/07/2012, 07:08 AM	#4
Cbechdel Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 62	I just recently got the apollos. I have 3 for my 7' tank and they seem to cover pretty well. I use my apex to control them. I haven't gotten too crazy with them yet but they work well enough. they don't take advantage of lightning storm features other may but who really cares. I run fresh water, so cant speak at all to their usefulness in marine environments. The lunar LEDS are only on/off controllable, no dimming. The blue and whites are fully controllable with apex. Note that out of the box, you cant even turn on the white or blues without control from apex or some other controller. Lunar lights can be on and of out of the box and need no controller As to control, I have noticed I can't go much below 20% intensity when ramping them, and I find that still pretty bright for my fresh needs, but assume they have lots of light needed for marine. Down side was all the cabling they needed! each light had 3 IEC (computer style "d" power cords) and a network cable to run. SO my string of 3 lights ended up with 12 cables running! that was insane, cables weighted nearly as much as the laps when all was done. I ended up buying 3 "y" style power cables to run to the blue/whites since they run together, and left a single with the lunar, so this cut my power cords down a bit at least. If you end up needing 3 fixtures, be sure to get the network cable "Y" adapter to allow you to daisy chain them if getting 3 or more. if you get only 2, you won't need one if you cable each separately to the apex VDM controller module ( it has 2 network variable outlets), however if you want the 2 fixtures to work together, then you will need the Y adapter so you can cable them into a single variable outlet saving you duplicate programming in apex.

10/07/2012, 06:05 PM	#5
rldcpa Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 498	Do you have them mounted about 8" off the water as they suggest? Do you hang them from the ceiling?