AquaIllumination PAR Measurements

[madean]

pecan yeah your right. Have you guys heard anything about the new light, I have seen some call it the phoenix? The AI website looks like they are calling it the vega.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Since starting this thread in April of 2010, I've been working on recovering from the multiple bleaching events caused by my ignorance of how PAR efficient LEDS are. As my tanks slowly recovered, I turned my attention to developing the best pigmentation/coloration. Many, including myself had come to the determination that while LEDS can grow just about anything, there was an argument that some coloration was lost in the change from MH or T5.

Over the past few years, their has been much experimentation with UV and near UV, and colors higher up the spectrum including cyan and red. The most recent trend is to simply include all available colors, often producing the dreaded disco-ball effect. In late 2010 I added a couple of 403nm Stunner strips to my SOL Blue AIs, and did notice a slight improvement in reflective coloration (yellows and golds popped a bit more) but they provided no change in coral pigmentation - it was clear something was still missing when compared to the coloration achieved under other lighting schemes.

The only remaining part of the spectrum I hadn't yet tried was red as I had read many studies that red was likely not the answer to our coloration quest and in fact it could stunt coral growth. Sanjay's most recent LED spectral analysis convinced me that it was worth a shot - so I added a couple of Magenta Stunner strips to the 403nm units already augmenting my AIs...



As of the time this was written, the 12 watts of Magenta have been in place for less than an hour. While I have no indication as to long term impact on coral pigmentation or growth rates, I can report that the tank simply "looks" better, presenting some of the subtle hues associated with the Fiji Purple T5 bulbs. When compared to the Frag tank sitting beside the DT which is illuminated by a Maxspect G2, the frag tank looks cold and flat.

Time will tell but at the moment, I'm most pleased with the latest 12 watt addition

[stpatrick]

http://www.*********.com/forums/sell...ra-optics.html

[stpatrick]

Looks good Tom. Where do you get the strip leds?

If anyone is interested. I have an extra AI Sol Blue available.

Its in the dry goods selling forum.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Originally Posted by stpatrick

Looks good Tom. Where do you get the strip leds?

If anyone is interested. I have an extra AI Sol Blue available.

http://www.*********.com/forums/sell...ra-optics.html

Many retailers carry the Ecoxotic Stunner Strips - I purchased the LEDs, reflector strips and a dimmer through Premium Aquatics.

[SoLiD]

I have a 40 Breeder, which is a shallow tank an 16 inches height. I have 4 SOL Blue modules with Stock 40/70 Lenses evenly spread out over a 36 inch length. They are 11 inches from the Water Level. At my brightest settings PAR levels are 1200-900 At Water Level, 600-420 Mid Way & 280-120 at the sand bed.


I used to have a Red Sea Max 130D with stock PC\T5 lighting; or what ever Red Sea Claims it is. PAR was 240-180 At Water Level, 135-75 Mid way, & 70-45 at the sand bed.


With the PAR so High I'm going to switch to all 70 Lenses to bring it down some. One thing the I noticed is If I run only Royal Blues, my PAR is at 280 AWL and 130 at the Sand Bed at the highest points. The Blues really do punch through with very little PAR loss.


-David

[pecan2phat]

You run 4 AI modules over a 40 breeder

[SoLiD]

Originally Posted by pecan2phat

You run 4 AI modules over a 40 breeder

Yeah... and I had to restrain myself to keep from putting a 5th on there. Just finished installing all 70 degree optics to spread the light around more and to balance the PAR. I will see the PAR readings tomorrow.

[madean]

4 AI's on a 40 breeder seems a little excessive.

[SoLiD]

When you have as much money invested in corals that I do, 4 AI modules is worth it. The way I see it here, most people here ask the same questions over and over, "How little AI modules can I get away with"... Well that's was not the way I do things, but I tend to over do everything.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Originally Posted by SoLiD

When you have as much money invested in corals that I do, 4 AI modules is worth it. The way I see it here, most people here ask the same questions over and over, "How little AI modules can I get away with"... Well that's was not the way I do things, but I tend to over do everything.

When I started this thread just after purchasing 2 AI's, I considered a 3rd for use of a 24", 39 gallon tank. That was before I realized I could nearly boil the water with just 2 of em

[SoLiD]

If I don't run a heater, my system will drop to below 73 degrees... that's as far as I let it go before I turned the heater back on. My lights ramp to 100% off and on the Blue and Royal Blue thought the day, but the white never goes above 40%. There's just too much power in these guys.

[drtrash]

Tom, how about a pick of tank, thinkging of adding the magenta strip to my 2 sol blues. maybe 1 403 & 1 magenta. Would like to know how much of a pop
it added
Thanks

[[WDT]TardFarmer]

Originally Posted by drtrash

tom, how about a pick of tank, thinkging of adding the magenta strip to my 2 sol blues. Maybe 1 403 & 1 magenta. Would like to know how much of a pop
it added
thanks

+1

[drtrash]

Tom, did you use the dimmer or they at 100%. Was not sure how much light the strip puts out. How did you attache them?

[CalmSeasQuest]

Originally Posted by drtrash

Tom, how about a pick of tank, thinkging of adding the magenta strip to my 2 sol blues. maybe 1 403 & 1 magenta. Would like to know how much of a pop
it added
Thanks

Originally Posted by [WDT]TardFarmer

+1

It will be a bit beofore I can grab any photos - I'm traveling and my DLSR is at my office being used on my Desktop project.

Originally Posted by drtrash

Tom, did you use the dimmer or they at 100%. Was not sure how much light the strip puts out. How did you attache them?

I'm using just one of the Magenta strips as running both was overpowering. I bought a dimmer, but as I'm running the Magenta on the same power source as the 403s, I don't want to reduce the output. They attach via an adhesive strip on the back of each strip - I have the 403s mounted in the center of each AI, the magenta attached at the edge. A few observations...

I shortened the daily run times as they are too strong during the sunrise/sunset phases.

IMO, 1 Magenta strip (100% with reflector) over a 24X20X20 tank is about right. Aside from a bit of red light splash on the wall behind the tank (AIs are hung ~18" above the tank) I really don't notice the color red in the tank per se; instead it just appears a bit "warmer". I believe it will be difficult to capture this subtly with a camera.

It's still too soon so determine if there will be any pigmentation change, I'm also dealing with a bit of a brown out resulting from a PO4 spike due to overfeeding while I was on the road. I am thus far pleased with the aesthetic improvement.

[djkms]

I recently added 2 DIY fixtures to go inbetween my AI's. Each fixture has 14 Violets, 5 reds and 5 turquoise. At the moment they are only at 20% and being gradually ramped up. I have all 60 degree optics on the DIY LED's and all 40 degree optics on my AI's. 16" AWL. There is a concentration of the DIY fixtures light underneath them and lack of coverage on the edges of the aquarium, but nothing distracting and no disco ball effect either. After adding the new fixtures the aquarium does have more warmth to it.

IMO (with 1 1/2 years experience with AI blues) they are missing spectrum and have a "cold" look to them.

I hope to see some better coloration from my corals in the near future. Reds, and deep blues and purples seem to suffer the most, not positive its the lights but figured I would give it a shot by adding more color/spectrum.

[drtrash]

sweet light, any change to color of mckosker after adding the light? Would ask for a tank pic but the added color may not show. What intensity are you using? I think we are using too much %

[ieatchinese]

Interesting that you have added stunner strips to the lights. I did this almost immediately after I bought my AI Sol Blues. I put the 403nm strips right down the middle and this seemed to help out with the corals. I sold my AI Sol's and most of my setup about 6 months ago as I have now moved to the Boston area. I am currently setting up a new tank (150 gallon) (48" x 30" x 25" - peninsula). I was considering getting the Sol's again, but saw the new Sunbrite F-Series. I purchased two of the 48" models for my new tank and they arrive this coming Tuesday. The interesting thing about the F-Series is that they have 6 channels:

Cool White Cree's
Blue Cree's
Royal Blue Cree's
Green Cree's
Osram Olson Red's
AOT 390 nm (UV)

I have high hopes for these lights and was a bit disappointed that the new AI Vega's aren't providing more colors. Anyway, if there is anyone else going to use these LED's, I would like to hear how they compare to the AI Sol's. BTW, I did have problems with a couple of SPS's with the AI Sol's. My Red Planet turned dark purple. When I gave it to my buddy and put it in his tank, with T5's, it colored up again with great green and purple polyps.

[Mixed_Reef]

Originally Posted by SoLiD

When you have as much money invested in corals that I do, 4 AI modules is worth it. The way I see it here, most people here ask the same questions over and over, "How little AI modules can I get away with"... Well that's was not the way I do things, but I tend to over do everything.

how much corals can u possibly fit into a 40g to make it worth putting $1700 worth of lights on it? and when the corals grow out??? No offense but u can't make a 40 sound like u put thousands of dollars worth of corals into it. Just not possible.

[Jgoal55]

Originally Posted by Mixed_Reef

how much corals can u possibly fit into a 40g to make it worth putting $1700 worth of lights on it? and when the corals grow out??? No offense but u can't make a 40 sound like u put thousands of dollars worth of corals into it. Just not possible.

I don't know how long you've been in this hobby, but IT IS definitely possible to put thousands of dollars in corals into a 40. Especially lately with all the "name brand" corals and all the Australian exotics. There are acan pieces that measure 3x3 that go for upwards of $500 retail. It's actually easy to do if you have the cash to do it (unfortunately).

That said, 4 AI's over a 40 seems like a bit much but if it works for what he's got, so be it.

I for one would love to see what kind of corals he's keeping under that kind of light.

[SoLiD]

$1700? I wish. I bought these lights when they were $529 each . I wish I had waited though. I live in an apartment and a 40 gallon tank is the biggest I can break down and move without any help. I'm considering buying a custom 70 with StarFire front and sides euro-braced. 36X18X24

Currently I have 10 Colonies of Acans, over 100 Orange with green mouth Ricordias, Blastos, Apple Scoly, One Tyree Big Blue polyped Monti Colony, but adding other SPS colonies one at a time in the near coming the months, also 2 $400 Sun Burst Rose Anemones. They may not require a ton of light, but it's nice to know I have it when I need it.

Been considering adding 3 Magenta Panorama Strips to see what it would do, but I'm undecided because my Reds haven't suffered. Well, not that I can see.

Here are some old quick cell phone pics:

About a month ago


About 3 months ago


About 6 months ago when I QT'ed the Ricordeas

[SoLiD]

I will try to get up some better pictures soon with my Canon DSLR. It at least has white balancing.

I have another small batch of Acan and Dendro colonies coming in on Friday. That will put my dendro and duncan collection around $1000 in itself and they are Non-photosynthetic :-/ .

[SoLiD]

Originally Posted by Mixed_Reef

how much corals can u possibly fit into a 40g to make it worth putting $1700 worth of lights on it? and when the corals grow out??? No offense but u can't make a 40 sound like u put thousands of dollars worth of corals into it. Just not possible.

Please don't take this wrong, but you must be new to the hobby. Look at the prices of the really nice stuff. It's down right insane. I knew a girl who had an awesome nano with over $2500 worth of micromussa's in there. I'm not after named stuff per se; I'd just like to have something that's nice to look at in there.

[pecan2phat]

Nice 40B David
Here are my Sunburst nems under AIs: