AquaIllumination PAR Measurements - Page 64

Y-DesygnGuy · 01/30/2011, 10:10 AM

Thanks Tom!

The one thing I really noticed when I was taking readings was how direct the 40 degree optics are. If I moved just slightly to the left or right of the center pucks it changed the readings drasticly,

hazmat319 · 01/30/2011, 01:14 PM

So is it better to find your "color" and then adjust the intensity up or down?

Zoner · 01/30/2011, 03:04 PM

Mine are all installed. It's amazing, my chiller hasn't run since I put them in. not once. not even a fan that I have set to kick in before the chiller has turned on. I can't wait to see my next electric bill.

Question for all though... I had 600W of T5s over the tank before and I don't want to burn up my corals during the transition, so do you guys think 25/20/20 would be ok, with a 1 hour boost to 35/30/30 in the middle of the day?

mnml · 01/30/2011, 03:13 PM

I went from 8x54w T5s and have my peak at 30/35/35. I will up 5% every 10 days or so and see how they react. I think 30s is a good starting point but keep in mind my tank is only 20" tall. How high your light is hung will also be a factor.

Zoner · 01/30/2011, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mnml

I went from 8x54w T5s and have my peak at 30/35/35. I will up 5% every 10 days or so and see how they react. I think 30s is a good starting point but keep in mind my tank is only 20" tall. How high your light is hung will also be a factor.

28" deep tank, 6 modules for a 6 foot wide system, about 10 inches up. I was thinking I'd increase it 5% per week.

jmchzn123 · 01/30/2011, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hazmat319

I've spent the last week going thru this entire thread. I'm so excited that my AI fixture is coming on Tuesday! I'm replacing my Solar Flare with 2 modules and going to mount them lengthwise. For now I'm keeping the stock optics.

There has been so much helpful information on this thread. Thanks to all who have contributed. I'm sure without it I would have fried my corals even thought the Solar Flare is pretty powerful.

how did you get yours so quickly? I have been waiting 2 weeks so far and now they are talking 2nd week in Feb!!! Where did you get them?

jmchzn123 · 01/30/2011, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoner

Mine are all installed. It's amazing, my chiller hasn't run since I put them in. not once. not even a fan that I have set to kick in before the chiller has turned on. I can't wait to see my next electric bill.

Question for all though... I had 600W of T5s over the tank before and I don't want to burn up my corals during the transition, so do you guys think 25/20/20 would be ok, with a 1 hour boost to 35/30/30 in the middle of the day?

did you order with standard optics...40's in center and 70's on the outside? I hear some are getting all 70"s. Since they probably haven't been built yet I can change my order.

freezetyle · 01/30/2011, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmchzn123

did you order with standard optics...40's in center and 70's on the outside? I hear some are getting all 70"s. Since they probably haven't been built yet I can change my order.

I think what most people are doing is launching a support ticket with AI for the 70 degree optics and then just installing them when they arrive. not sure if you can get them like that straight from the factory. I put my order in for a unit about a week ago and placed my support ticket around the same time. hopefully they will arrive around the same time... I hate waiting! especially after following this thread

mnml · 01/30/2011, 09:09 PM

I picked up the 3rd module today. Here's a pic of them at 40%. The photo is much brighter than it is in person. So far I'm super stoked on these lights!

Zoner · 01/30/2011, 09:50 PM

great looking tank!

MedRed · 01/30/2011, 10:22 PM

looks great mnml!

mnml · 01/30/2011, 10:30 PM

@Zoner & MedRed - thank you. These AIs are worth every penny

kmu · 01/31/2011, 10:15 AM

Very, very nice mnml!!!

Do you have comparison pics of the 2 modules VS the 3 modules on your tank?

mnml · 01/31/2011, 11:02 AM

Thanks kmu. This thread was a tremendous help in my decision making. I only have this one from my iphone. Being that my tank is 30" wide, I think even with 70 optics and length wise mounting, there would of been too much shadowing.

Y-DesygnGuy · 01/31/2011, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mnml

Thanks kmu. This thread was a tremendous help in my decision making. I only have this one from my iphone. Being that my tank is 30" wide, I think even with 70 optics and length wise mounting, there would of been too much shadowing.

Good choice adding the 3rd module, it looks much better now.

mnml · 01/31/2011, 11:39 AM

I really think so too. Next will be to try out the 70 optics

kmu · 01/31/2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mnml

Thanks kmu. This thread was a tremendous help in my decision making. I only have this one from my iphone. Being that my tank is 30" wide, I think even with 70 optics and length wise mounting, there would of been too much shadowing.

THX a lot for the picture.... I got a 48x18x18 mixed reef tank and I will run 2 modules just like this picture but mounted horizontal to the tank and will add the 70 degree optics for better spread...

Saltwatercoral2 · 01/31/2011, 02:42 PM

sorry if this is the wrong place to ask, but can you mount the AI's in a canopy, as long as you make ventilation paces in the canopy?

Zoner · 01/31/2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saltwatercoral2

sorry if this is the wrong place to ask, but can you mount the AI's in a canopy, as long as you make ventilation paces in the canopy?

Absolutely. They recommend 3" of breathing room above them. I've had them in for about 5 days now and they really don't warm up much at all. I'll post a picture later showing how I did it, but I just mounted them on the rails and added slats from the back to the front of the canopy and placed the rail system on top.

VegasMike · 01/31/2011, 02:49 PM

Yes, you can, but there should really be a few inches of space above the units as the cooling fan sits right on top in the center of the unit. Depending on your canopy, you could cut holes exactly the same shape/size of the units and just set them in the holes provided you put something on the inside of the canopy that they would rest on, like a couple of aluminum strips.

The lights still get hot (nowhere near as hot as MH) and the life goes down significantly if you can't keep them cool, hence the need for adequate ventilation.

mnml · 01/31/2011, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmu

THX a lot for the picture.... I got a 48x18x18 mixed reef tank and I will run 2 modules just like this picture but mounted horizontal to the tank and will add the 70 degree optics for better spread...

Since you have an 18" wide tank, the 70* optics should work. I'm going to try out the 70* optics on the outer modules to see if I can get a little more light in the back corners. My frogspawn colony in the back has a little bit of shadowing.

kmu · 01/31/2011, 05:44 PM

I got a pair of Sol Blue modules coming soon on the mail, should I use the stock controller and if Im running the Reef Keeper lite (RKL) should I use it with the AI controller?

jmchzn123 · 01/31/2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VegasMike

Yes, you can, but there should really be a few inches of space above the units as the cooling fan sits right on top in the center of the unit. Depending on your canopy, you could cut holes exactly the same shape/size of the units and just set them in the holes provided you put something on the inside of the canopy that they would rest on, like a couple of aluminum strips.

The lights still get hot (nowhere near as hot as MH) and the life goes down significantly if you can't keep them cool, hence the need for adequate ventilation.

Any word on the extendable legs?

drtrash · 01/31/2011, 07:20 PM

Use the AI controller way more options than RKL. Use RKL but set it to ON. Kinda a high end powerstrip. I use it more to controler heater, thats about it. Make sure you download new firmware.

mnml · 01/31/2011, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmu

I got a pair of Sol Blue modules coming soon on the mail, should I use the stock controller and if Im running the Reef Keeper lite (RKL) should I use it with the AI controller?

I bought the AI controller since I didn't have any free outlets on my Apex. It's pretty sweet and easy to set up.

01/30/2011, 01:14 PM	#1577
hazmat319 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Central CT Posts: 745	So is it better to find your "color" and then adjust the intensity up or down? __________________ Why yes....I really AM a reefer chick! Tank info: 75 gallon RR Deep Blue, Custom stand, 34 gal Trigger systems sump, 2 Sol Blue LED modules. Sweet! Born On date: 2/1/10

01/30/2011, 03:13 PM	#1579
mnml Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ladera Ranch, CA Posts: 2,383	I went from 8x54w T5s and have my peak at 30/35/35. I will up 5% every 10 days or so and see how they react. I think 30s is a good starting point but keep in mind my tank is only 20" tall. How high your light is hung will also be a factor. __________________ Tran Current Tank Info: Waterbox 130.4

01/30/2011, 09:09 PM	#1584
mnml Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ladera Ranch, CA Posts: 2,383	I picked up the 3rd module today. Here's a pic of them at 40%. The photo is much brighter than it is in person. So far I'm super stoked on these lights! __________________ Tran Current Tank Info: Waterbox 130.4

01/30/2011, 10:22 PM	#1586
MedRed Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,035	looks great mnml! __________________ 60 Gallon Current Solana XL 24x24x24 Cube: SPS/LPS/NPS/Softie/Invert Reef Candy Basslet Pair Showcase \| Minimalist Aquascape

01/30/2011, 10:30 PM	#1587
mnml Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ladera Ranch, CA Posts: 2,383	@Zoner & MedRed - thank you. These AIs are worth every penny __________________ Tran Current Tank Info: Waterbox 130.4

01/30/2011, 10:10 AM	#1576
Y-DesygnGuy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 1,019	Thanks Tom! The one thing I really noticed when I was taking readings was how direct the 40 degree optics are. If I moved just slightly to the left or right of the center pucks it changed the readings drasticly,

01/30/2011, 03:04 PM	#1578
Zoner Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Orlando (UCF Area) Posts: 172	Mine are all installed. It's amazing, my chiller hasn't run since I put them in. not once. not even a fan that I have set to kick in before the chiller has turned on. I can't wait to see my next electric bill. Question for all though... I had 600W of T5s over the tank before and I don't want to burn up my corals during the transition, so do you guys think 25/20/20 would be ok, with a 1 hour boost to 35/30/30 in the middle of the day?

01/30/2011, 09:50 PM	#1585
Zoner Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Orlando (UCF Area) Posts: 172	great looking tank!

01/31/2011, 10:15 AM	#1588
kmu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In the DESERT Posts: 3,306	Very, very nice mnml!!! Do you have comparison pics of the 2 modules VS the 3 modules on your tank? __________________ Current Reef tanks In Wall 400g 1" acrylic 72x36x36 (Hydras, Marco rocks,Tunze osmolator, Vertex Alpha cone 250)

01/31/2011, 11:02 AM	#1589
mnml Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ladera Ranch, CA Posts: 2,383	Thanks kmu. This thread was a tremendous help in my decision making. I only have this one from my iphone. Being that my tank is 30" wide, I think even with 70 optics and length wise mounting, there would of been too much shadowing. __________________ Tran Current Tank Info: Waterbox 130.4

01/31/2011, 11:39 AM	#1591
mnml Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ladera Ranch, CA Posts: 2,383	I really think so too. Next will be to try out the 70 optics __________________ Tran Current Tank Info: Waterbox 130.4

01/31/2011, 02:42 PM	#1593
Saltwatercoral2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,617	sorry if this is the wrong place to ask, but can you mount the AI's in a canopy, as long as you make ventilation paces in the canopy?

01/31/2011, 02:49 PM	#1595
VegasMike Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,556	Yes, you can, but there should really be a few inches of space above the units as the cooling fan sits right on top in the center of the unit. Depending on your canopy, you could cut holes exactly the same shape/size of the units and just set them in the holes provided you put something on the inside of the canopy that they would rest on, like a couple of aluminum strips. The lights still get hot (nowhere near as hot as MH) and the life goes down significantly if you can't keep them cool, hence the need for adequate ventilation.

01/31/2011, 05:44 PM	#1597
kmu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In the DESERT Posts: 3,306	I got a pair of Sol Blue modules coming soon on the mail, should I use the stock controller and if Im running the Reef Keeper lite (RKL) should I use it with the AI controller? __________________ Current Reef tanks In Wall 400g 1" acrylic 72x36x36 (Hydras, Marco rocks,Tunze osmolator, Vertex Alpha cone 250)

01/31/2011, 07:20 PM	#1599
drtrash Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: S. Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 2,178	Use the AI controller way more options than RKL. Use RKL but set it to ON. Kinda a high end powerstrip. I use it more to controler heater, thats about it. Make sure you download new firmware.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
LED lighting and PAR measurements -- Advice?	pdelcast	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	15	07/27/2008 09:41 PM
54 Watt T5 Bulb PAR measurements	Ken668	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	23	08/17/2006 07:42 PM