Did I Just waste $2800?? Solaris I5

layer3switchguy · 09/25/2008, 05:06 PM

Ok folks, I really did it now... After driving myself nuts over my T5 bulb configs, I made a very, very impulsive move and bought a Solaris I5 from Marine Depot. I'm having MAJOR, MAJOR buyers remorse....

So, it would seem I went from a nice simple, flexible T5 SolarFlare to the I5... I really can't explain why I did it... I know these things have some serious issues. Here are my tank details:

120G Oceanic Tech (48x24x24)
The plan is for it to be 90% SPS coral
I'll be starting Zeo next week, once I get all my gear together
Bought the new Solaris I5 48"

So, how big a mistake did I make? Will I hate this thing and long for my 6 bulb T5 fixture? Should I return it? Marine Depot is willing to waive the re-stocking fee.

Can I keep SPS and get true Zeo color with the Solaris I5? Ultimately, that may be the deciding factor. (I'm not encouraged, as the photo Sanjay posted on the I5 looked awful)

I haven't been this conflicted about a purchase since I bought a Gremlin for my first car!

L3

chadfarmer · 09/25/2008, 05:08 PM

i would say t5 if you want sps

SlowCobra · 09/25/2008, 05:20 PM

Return it. I showed you my SPS under a 4 bulb T5 on a 22" tall tank. I can take more pictures if you need to re-affirm that you can in fact grow SPS successfully under T5.

bergzy · 09/25/2008, 05:32 PM

imo,

i think led lighting is here but not ready yet...

IF i had the chance to return it, esp if restocking fee is waived...i would do it in a heart beat...but that's just me!

flyyyguy · 09/25/2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bergzy
imo,

i think led lighting is here but not ready yet...

IF i had the chance to return it, esp if restocking fee is waived...i would do it in a heart beat...but that's just me!

agree 100% on both counts

consider it again in a few years or so when it actually works for many. For now, get out while the gettin' is good.

sjm817 · 09/25/2008, 06:55 PM

Return it while you can.

cichlid333 · 09/25/2008, 07:10 PM

the solaris is a real good light fixture and i know a few people that have one and they have sps,clams etc. all are doing well, less heat,less energy,just the top of the line imo

GSMguy · 09/25/2008, 07:11 PM

good advice in this thread.

get a solar flare or a powermodule.

Freed · 09/25/2008, 07:23 PM

Yes

littlefish72 · 09/25/2008, 07:54 PM

Man I wish I could make a $2800 "impulse" buy

SlowCobra · 09/25/2008, 08:02 PM

LED lights will be the wave of the future. Right now they just aren't there. In a few years when all the bugs are worked out and they are viable as an alternative I hope to be running a tank off of them. Until then I will be sticking with T5's.

tufacody · 09/25/2008, 08:07 PM

You made the best purchase of your life - assuming it was assembled in the USA and not China. Here are my corals under my Solaris. Granted, I only have a few SPS frags (dont have pics of all of them) but so far all have done well. These pics are 2 months old. I'll try to snap some pics tomorrow if you'd like to see the growth.

tufacody · 09/25/2008, 08:09 PM

IMG]http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj45/rmlevasseur/IMG_0695.jpg[/IMG]

tufacody · 09/25/2008, 08:09 PM

tufacody · 09/25/2008, 08:11 PM

Freed · 09/25/2008, 08:15 PM

My stuff looks like that too for about $2500 cheaper.

tufacody · 09/25/2008, 08:20 PM

Thats great Freed, I am glad you are happy with your lighting.

But for me, I'll take almost zero heat, no bulb replacement, cloud cover, moon cycle, auto-dimming, seasonal fluctuation, and lower power consumption.

STEVEBEAM · 09/25/2008, 08:32 PM

I wish people who own a Solaris would post reviews.

Steve

rockworm · 09/25/2008, 08:41 PM

The pictures provided by Sanjay seem to show good SPS in the LED Lit Tank and given the owner had the lights for more than a year, it is probably the H series.

The I5 Series are US made, not China. I have the I4 ands other than bleaching my new frags because the light was too strong, I like them. The upside is I can turn the levels down. I think you made a good decision. The buyers remorse will be offset down the road when you realize all the money you save from lower electricity costs and not having to replace bulbs every year.

taylor t · 09/25/2008, 08:45 PM

Tufacody - How big is your tank, and how deep is it? How far off the surface is the fixture? How many months has it been running? Is it the older version, or the newer version?

taylor t · 09/25/2008, 08:47 PM

One more thing. I'm growing sps in the sand with (4) t5 in a 75 gallon. Is that light comparable IYO?

jcgso · 09/25/2008, 08:49 PM

Get the T5s. My SPS tank has never looked better.

rockworm · 09/25/2008, 08:49 PM

You can find a few reviews here (and lots of opinions): Solaris Issues Thread

Quote:

Originally posted by STEVEBEAM
I wish people who own a Solaris would post reviews.

Steve

tufacody · 09/25/2008, 08:52 PM

My tank is a 180. The fixture is using the legs it came with. It has been running since February. It is (was) an I4.

With that said, the fixture has had many problems, but all were fixed readily by PFO. None made the light nonfunctional by any means. However, when my last LED went out I requested PFO to replace it with the new American-assembled I5, and they agreed. Not bad for 9 months of use. I agree for this kind of money the light should not have had problems, but PFO customer service has been excellent and they have treated me 100% right.

Fact is, even with the problems of the I4, I would not have traded it in for halides.

taylor t · 09/25/2008, 08:54 PM

Sounds like a good personal experience to me. Thanks.

09/25/2008, 05:06 PM	#1
layer3switchguy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Southern NJ Posts: 843	Did I Just waste $2800?? Solaris I5 Ok folks, I really did it now... After driving myself nuts over my T5 bulb configs, I made a very, very impulsive move and bought a Solaris I5 from Marine Depot. I'm having MAJOR, MAJOR buyers remorse.... So, it would seem I went from a nice simple, flexible T5 SolarFlare to the I5... I really can't explain why I did it... I know these things have some serious issues. Here are my tank details: 120G Oceanic Tech (48x24x24) The plan is for it to be 90% SPS coral I'll be starting Zeo next week, once I get all my gear together Bought the new Solaris I5 48" So, how big a mistake did I make? Will I hate this thing and long for my 6 bulb T5 fixture? Should I return it? Marine Depot is willing to waive the re-stocking fee. Can I keep SPS and get true Zeo color with the Solaris I5? Ultimately, that may be the deciding factor. (I'm not encouraged, as the photo Sanjay posted on the I5 looked awful) I haven't been this conflicted about a purchase since I bought a Gremlin for my first car! L3 __________________ 120g Oceanic Tech (48x24x24) 90lbs of Live Rock ATB Small Cone ATI 8 Bulb Powermodule (T5) 2 Vortech MP40W Prodibio Profilux P3ex Controlled Current Tank Info: 120g Oceanic Tech

09/25/2008, 05:08 PM	#2
chadfarmer Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ST Charles, MO far from nanook Posts: 11,045 Blog Entries: 1	i would say t5 if you want sps __________________ If you think you know the answer than ask 3 more people the question Current Tank Info: 200 Gal RR,ATB medium, 4 AI blue sol,230 LBS LIVE ROCK, no sand , 40 GAL sump, airstar1800, 3 tunze 6105 1- 6205 1-6305, Geo 818, profilux3ex with toys

09/25/2008, 05:32 PM	#4
bergzy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: OC CA USA Posts: 5,299	imo, i think led lighting is here but not ready yet... IF i had the chance to return it, esp if restocking fee is waived...i would do it in a heart beat...but that's just me! __________________ The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule it. H.L. Mencken Ben. Current Tank Info: 180g sps, 90g cube clam biotope.

09/25/2008, 06:55 PM	#6
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Return it while you can. __________________ - Scott

09/25/2008, 07:11 PM	#8
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	good advice in this thread. get a solar flare or a powermodule. __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

09/25/2008, 05:20 PM	#3
SlowCobra Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 3,079	Return it. I showed you my SPS under a 4 bulb T5 on a 22" tall tank. I can take more pictures if you need to re-affirm that you can in fact grow SPS successfully under T5.

09/25/2008, 07:10 PM	#7
cichlid333 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: clinton township michigan Posts: 101	the solaris is a real good light fixture and i know a few people that have one and they have sps,clams etc. all are doing well, less heat,less energy,just the top of the line imo

09/25/2008, 07:23 PM	#9
Freed It's what it's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: 41° 2' 45" N 85° 8' 43" W Posts: 7,579	Re: Did I Just waste $2800?? Solaris I5 Yes __________________ Freed Current Tank Info: 180gal(1120 watts of MH/VHO light), 60gal "sump", Deltec 601 calcium reactor, Euro Reef CS8-3+ skimmer, 20 gallon QT Last edited by Freed; 09/25/2008 at 08:00 PM.

09/25/2008, 07:54 PM	#10
littlefish72 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Coatesville, PA Posts: 389	Man I wish I could make a $2800 "impulse" buy __________________ GO CANES!!! GO WOLFPACK!!!!! "There are no stupid questions Eric, just stupid people."-Mr. Garrison If an upside-down catfish dies, does it turn right side up? Current Tank Info: Leaky Clownfish system

09/25/2008, 08:02 PM	#11
SlowCobra Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 3,079	LED lights will be the wave of the future. Right now they just aren't there. In a few years when all the bugs are worked out and they are viable as an alternative I hope to be running a tank off of them. Until then I will be sticking with T5's.

09/25/2008, 08:07 PM	#12
tufacody Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,890	You made the best purchase of your life - assuming it was assembled in the USA and not China. Here are my corals under my Solaris. Granted, I only have a few SPS frags (dont have pics of all of them) but so far all have done well. These pics are 2 months old. I'll try to snap some pics tomorrow if you'd like to see the growth.

09/25/2008, 08:09 PM	#13
tufacody Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,890	IMG]http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj45/rmlevasseur/IMG_0695.jpg[/IMG]

09/25/2008, 08:11 PM	#15
tufacody Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,890

09/25/2008, 08:15 PM	#16
Freed It's what it's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: 41° 2' 45" N 85° 8' 43" W Posts: 7,579	My stuff looks like that too for about $2500 cheaper. __________________ Freed Current Tank Info: 180gal(1120 watts of MH/VHO light), 60gal "sump", Deltec 601 calcium reactor, Euro Reef CS8-3+ skimmer, 20 gallon QT

09/25/2008, 08:20 PM	#17
tufacody Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,890	Thats great Freed, I am glad you are happy with your lighting. But for me, I'll take almost zero heat, no bulb replacement, cloud cover, moon cycle, auto-dimming, seasonal fluctuation, and lower power consumption.

09/25/2008, 08:32 PM	#18
STEVEBEAM Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 184	I wish people who own a Solaris would post reviews. Steve

09/25/2008, 08:41 PM	#19
rockworm A-counting guy Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 673	The pictures provided by Sanjay seem to show good SPS in the LED Lit Tank and given the owner had the lights for more than a year, it is probably the H series. The I5 Series are US made, not China. I have the I4 ands other than bleaching my new frags because the light was too strong, I like them. The upside is I can turn the levels down. I think you made a good decision. The buyers remorse will be offset down the road when you realize all the money you save from lower electricity costs and not having to replace bulbs every year. __________________ You can see my 400g build thread here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2577596 Current Tank Info: 400g SPS and 75g non SPS

09/25/2008, 08:45 PM	#20
taylor t Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Naperville, Il Posts: 2,396	Tufacody - How big is your tank, and how deep is it? How far off the surface is the fixture? How many months has it been running? Is it the older version, or the newer version?

09/25/2008, 08:47 PM	#21
taylor t Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Naperville, Il Posts: 2,396	One more thing. I'm growing sps in the sand with (4) t5 in a 75 gallon. Is that light comparable IYO?

09/25/2008, 08:49 PM	#22
jcgso Saltwater Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Greensboro, North Carolina Posts: 547	Get the T5s. My SPS tank has never looked better. __________________ Well dear, it was free...almost...sorta...kind of...I'm sorry, I'll never spend another penny on my tanks again...this week. Current Tank Info: Red Sea 425XL reef

09/25/2008, 08:52 PM	#24
tufacody Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,890	My tank is a 180. The fixture is using the legs it came with. It has been running since February. It is (was) an I4. With that said, the fixture has had many problems, but all were fixed readily by PFO. None made the light nonfunctional by any means. However, when my last LED went out I requested PFO to replace it with the new American-assembled I5, and they agreed. Not bad for 9 months of use. I agree for this kind of money the light should not have had problems, but PFO customer service has been excellent and they have treated me 100% right. Fact is, even with the problems of the I4, I would not have traded it in for halides.

09/25/2008, 08:54 PM	#25
taylor t Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Naperville, Il Posts: 2,396	Sounds like a good personal experience to me. Thanks.