AquaIllumination PAR Measurements

[TonyV]

nice looking tank and mounting choice.

[jdg]

Originally Posted by RcToners

Here are a quick older photo. I did speek with the president of reef geek as well as several people at Aqua illumination, the general consensus was that for som reason people are using way way to many AI units for thier tanks, this is another reason you continue to see people only running the LED's at 50% and so on. A single AI led unit will cover a 24 x 24 space with ease and depending on how high above the tank the lights are will depend on if you get more or less coverage. Mrsaltwater tank is currently doing some testing with AI units and on his website he has some fantastic information as well as good par readings.

Thanks! Can you share your intensity settings when that photo was taken? Mine looks a lot duller and blue. Are you using standard optics or all 40's ?

I am running (4) over the 6x2x2 tank and am running them at a much higher intensity (90%) at 12" AWL.

I am a little confused as to why AI would not understand the quantities of lights people want to use. Their own website shows that I need (6) units for my tank size.

Also, it doesn't look like you have any center braces. I have two black braces that run at approximately 2' and 4', and they really get in the way.

[jdg]

Originally Posted by TonyV

nice looking tank and mounting choice.

Yes, that mount is awesome.

[tqpolo]

I read the last 15 pages and I must say none of the tanks impress me. They all are relatively new tanks with few corals or old tanks with very basic corals. I'm still waiting for a TOTM worthy with LED setup.

[jdg]

Originally Posted by tqpolo

I read the last 15 pages and I must say none of the tanks impress me. They all are relatively new tanks with few corals or old tanks with very basic corals. I'm still waiting for a TOTM worthy with LED setup.

Well, it is an ~ 90 page thread.

[djkms]

Originally Posted by tqpolo

I read the last 15 pages and I must say none of the tanks impress me. They all are relatively new tanks with few corals or old tanks with very basic corals. I'm still waiting for a TOTM worthy with LED setup.

If you have nothing constructive to add to the conversation then why post at all?

I'm sorry my tank doesn't meet up to your TOTM standards but there are numerous tanks in this thread that are successfuly growing all types of corals including my own.



Sent from my Incredible using Tapatalk

[tqpolo]

Sorry I don't know why I was so rude.

[lastpikd]

Originally Posted by tqpolo

I read the last 15 pages and I must say none of the tanks impress me. They all are relatively new tanks with few corals or old tanks with very basic corals. I'm still waiting for a TOTM worthy with LED setup.

This may be the most close minded thing Ive ever read on these forums.

TOTM have usually been established for years. Have LEDs even been out long enough, and cheap enough, to be able to grow corals to the size and beauty that most TOTM have?

[jdg]

And now ... Back to the Thread ...

[tqpolo]

Maybe TOTM reference maybe too much. It doesn't have to be to that extend. This thread is over a year old. A one year old tank should shows its maturity. I'll keep looking but somebody just prove me wrong.

[RocketSurgeon]

Originally Posted by lastpikd

This may be the most close minded thing Ive ever read on these forums.

TOTM have usually been established for years. Have LEDs even been out long enough, and cheap enough, to be able to grow corals to the size and beauty that most TOTM have?

From what I have seen, the ones that appreciate spending the money on LEDs have been in it for years already, with the exception of nano tanks.

[Crab Rangoon]

Originally Posted by happysak

Joined the club.
Tank Cadlights 24x24x20, single AI Sol Blue

Are you using yours at full blast 100% all settings? I've got a 36x36x24 that I'll soon be putting a Sol Blue over.

I will only be supplementing with 2-3 PAR38 spotlights to begin with, but am open to adding a second Sol Blue down the line. My focus is on my fish, and I do not need enough light to provide for corals "all over the tank." I am mainly drawn to the Sol Blue for my application due to the adjustable intensities for dialing in the final color I want.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Originally Posted by tqpolo

I read the last 15 pages and I must say none of the tanks impress me. They all are relatively new tanks with few corals or old tanks with very basic corals. I'm still waiting for a TOTM worthy with LED setup.

Originally Posted by tqpolo

Sorry I don't know why I was so rude.

Originally Posted by tqpolo

Maybe TOTM reference maybe too much. It doesn't have to be to that extend. This thread is over a year old. A one year old tank should shows its maturity. I'll keep looking but somebody just prove me wrong.

Expecting to find TOTM type photos in a thread designed to help new LED users is a bit of a reach. There are obviously far fewer tanks of that caliber running LEDs as the technology by comparison is very new. Very few us of have had LEDs for more than a couple years, and as with anything new, the costs were high, and the learning curve was steep with lots of trials and tribulations along the way.

That said, a cursory search of RC will uncover many stunning LED tanks, using a variety of commercial and DIY fixtures. Here's a new one I stumbled on tonight - 10 AI's rocking a 340...


340g LED SPS tank from Brazil

Santoki's DIY build (nearly identical to AI specs) was one that impressed me early on...

[IMG]http://i43.*******.com/r1g3gp.jpg[/IMG]

Acrotrdco has a beautiful LED lit tank...




Those are just a few of many...

I, along with many of the contributors in this thread have our share of challenges (virtually all of my problems were "user induced.") That said, I believe the advances and discoveries made by the early adopters and DIY LED folks, are largely responsible for the creation of the commercial fixtures that have evolved to a point that even those such as you who are doubtful and fearful of the technology will be hanging LEDs over their tanks at price points that are a fraction of what we as early adopters paid.

I'll leave you with a couple more - nineball's tank is currently mostly lit by LED and he and Shawn (Mr.Wilson) are in the process of replacing the remaining MH lighting with LED. Gaze upon ~1350 gallon of LED magnificence...





I'm not sure if those tanks will "impress" you, but they certainly impress me.

[SoLiD]

Originally Posted by tqpolo

I read the last 15 pages and I must say none of the tanks impress me. They all are relatively new tanks with few corals or old tanks with very basic corals. I'm still waiting for a TOTM worthy with LED setup.

Maybe TOTM reference maybe too much. It doesn't have to be to that extend. This thread is over a year old. A one year old tank should shows its maturity. I'll keep looking but somebody just prove me wrong.

What a newb statement.... ever hear of "Google". Try it!!! It works!!! I swear!!!

What a gentleman you are Tom. I was a little offended when I read this from my phone earlier, but I let the others chime in and set him straight. Looks like your post is a sure way to put the naysayers to rest.

[tmgrash]

I'm not sure if those tanks will "impress" you, but they certainly impress me.[/QUOTE]

I am sure his MH lit tank is way better than any of those.

[RcToners]

Originally Posted by CalmSeasQuest

Expecting to find TOTM type photos in a thread designed to help new LED users is a bit of a reach. There are obviously far fewer tanks of that caliber running LEDs as the technology by comparison is very new. Very few us of have had LEDs for more than a couple years, and as with anything new, the costs were high, and the learning curve was steep with lots of trials and tribulations along the way.

That said, a cursory search of RC will uncover many stunning LED tanks, using a variety of commercial and DIY fixtures. Here's a new one I stumbled on tonight - 10 AI's rocking a 340...


340g LED SPS tank from Brazil

Santoki's DIY build (nearly identical to AI specs) was one that impressed me early on...

[IMG]http://i43.*******.com/r1g3gp.jpg[/IMG]

Acrotrdco has a beautiful LED lit tank...




Those are just a few of many...

I, along with many of the contributors in this thread have our share of challenges (virtually all of my problems were "user induced.") That said, I believe the advances and discoveries made by the early adopters and DIY LED folks, are largely responsible for the creation of the commercial fixtures that have evolved to a point that even those such as you who are doubtful and fearful of the technology will be hanging LEDs over their tanks at price points that are a fraction of what we as early adopters paid.

I'll leave you with a couple more - nineball's tank is currently mostly lit by LED and he and Shawn (Mr.Wilson) are in the process of replacing the remaining MH lighting with LED. Gaze upon ~1350 gallon of LED magnificence...





I'm not sure if those tanks will "impress" you, but they certainly impress me.

Well done sir

I read this post last night and the comments about TOTM worthy, I found that 340 gallon with 10 AI units and just hopped on here to post it. IMO that is TOTM worthy any day of the year.

[Cjsparky]

Hi all! Just ordered 2 x Blue Sol modules, and 36" of tracks for the mount.

Quick question. I am only up to page 14 on the thread, so forgive me if this has been answered. Has anyone been able to hang the unit with the 2 tank length tracks over the tank as they should be, but instead of mounting the lights on those tracks, install cross tracks and mount the lights on those? The benefit to this would be mounting them turned 90 degrees, (which I know HAS been discussed) but in addition you would be able to now slide them left, right, back AND forward. The cross tracks would slide on the tank length tracks left to right, and then the modules could slide forwards and backwards on the tracks oriented front to back on the tank.

Christian

[amheck]

Hey guys, I have a 20" cube. I was going to wait for the Nano, but I do want to move up to a bigger tank, and I'm wondering if I should just go with the std version AI Sol, which would more easily be able to be migrated to the new tank.

First, has anyone put a full size AI Sol over a Solana-sized tank. Are you happy with it? Also, without a canopy, is there a good way to mouth the fixture lengthwise? I personally think that might look a little better. I'm assuming this would be some sort of DIY hanging kit?

[tqpolo]

Not bad.

[djkms]

Originally Posted by tqpolo

Not bad.

LOL ^ this guy is funny. Can you link us to your build thread so we may know what a impressive tank should look like

[tqpolo]

Originally Posted by djkms

LOL ^ this guy is funny. Can you link us to your build thread so we may know what a impressive tank should look like

No problem. This link is below. I'll post some update pics as well. I'm actually looking at LEDs for my next tank. Right now I like Vertex Illumina because of the slick fixture design. I wish it has interchangeable optics like AI. I just didn't want to go through all 90 pages.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1883977

[Hagisan]

I finally received my lights for the build and all I can say is WOW! We held one over my existing DT after the MH went off and was very impressed with the color and appearance of the corals.

I thought they looked pretty bright at just 15% all around.

[125mph]

Originally Posted by amheck

Hey guys, I have a 20" cube. I was going to wait for the Nano, but I do want to move up to a bigger tank, and I'm wondering if I should just go with the std version AI Sol, which would more easily be able to be migrated to the new tank.

First, has anyone put a full size AI Sol over a Solana-sized tank. Are you happy with it? Also, without a canopy, is there a good way to mouth the fixture lengthwise? I personally think that might look a little better. I'm assuming this would be some sort of DIY hanging kit?

I would definitely use a full size AI Sol Blue. I have a 24" cube and I use two units. The nano will not give enough light.

[jdg]

Originally Posted by Hagisan

I finally received my lights for the build and all I can say is WOW! We held one over my existing DT after the MH went off and was very impressed with the color and appearance of the corals.

I thought they looked pretty bright at just 15% all around.

There must be something wrong with my lights. I'm going to have to get a PAR meter or something because they just look way dim as compared to my 3x250 HQI's.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Originally Posted by jdg

There must be something wrong with my lights. I'm going to have to get a PAR meter or something because they just look way dim as compared to my 3x250 HQI's.

+1 on the PAR meter jdg

For reasons that have been well "illuminated" throughout this thread - To the human eye, LEDs at equal PAR will appear much less bright than MH or T5s. This is the trap so many (including me, multiple times ) fall into that results in tanks being bleached. Trying to match the "appearance" of prior MH/T5 setups results in a significant increase in the PAR.

This of course assumes your lights are functioning correctly.