AquaIllumination LED

Wolverinegreg · 03/30/2009, 12:01 PM

Hi there,

Does anyone has experience with the Aquaillmination LED system?
I am contemplating fallin for it, since I'd like to get a powerfull light in order to have less limitation as of the type or corals I will be able to keep in my 65g tank. Metal Halide are not really an option beacuse of heat and also electricity, so I wonder if anyone had good results with the AquaIllumination (Coroal growth, anemones...?). It sounds great on their website, but... it's their website!

gcarroll · 03/30/2009, 01:04 PM

I personally like them and can vouch that they are incredibly bright. I don't think you would have issues growing corals anywhere in tank. They always seemed like a better option than the Solaris as they seemed to have a tad bit better light spread. Never heard any complaints about them either. On a downside, I would like to see them improve on the mounting hardware to make it a bit more sleek.

JStorey · 03/30/2009, 03:50 PM

I have had the AI lights on my 300 gallon tank for over a year and really like them. You have the ability to control the intensity, color, sunrise and sunset times and duration. It puts zero heat in the tank. My chiller never runs. Everything in my tank is thriving and growing like crazy. I have my hanging from the ceiling which makes it look better and easier to access the tank.

GSMguy · 03/30/2009, 03:52 PM

How many ai units do you use on your 300g?

JStorey · 03/30/2009, 03:54 PM

I have 10 modules on it.

gcarroll · 03/30/2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JStorey
I have 10 modules on it.

10? I thought it was one for every 1' lenght. I would have never thought to put them on a tank with a 30" width. I would have thought 24" would be the max. any pics? Problem I see is that the energy savings ends up being only 100 watts over a 4 x 250 watt MH system.

JStorey · 03/30/2009, 05:52 PM

My tank is 10x2x2. I only run mine at 75% intensity.

kngfisher · 03/30/2009, 06:11 PM

I have 4 modules on my 90 running at 85 white 100 blue. Looks great.Very directional light and no heat. Temp was running at 80.5 and now 78. Changed from dual Hamilton 250watt 14k MH with 2x truActinic t5 48" bulbs inside a Hamilton hood upgraded with hammertone reflector and icecap ballasts. Have had mine for about a week. So too soon to tell how sps and lps and clam and rbta will deal with it over time.

gcarroll · 03/30/2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JStorey
My tank is 10x2x2. I only run mine at 75% intensity.

that explains it!

grigsy · 03/30/2009, 08:33 PM

Is Aqua Illumination infringing upon the same so called "patent" that knocked PFO out of business?

I dont think there should be a patent on something like that (an all LED lighting system), but what makes AI immune and PFO in violation?

Memnoch21 · 03/31/2009, 12:13 AM

I actually e-mailed the company that filed the law suit... Apparently they have been working with other manufacturers to come to an arangement... PFO just didn't want to play ball from what I can understand, maybe these guys did???

Wolverinegreg · 03/31/2009, 09:26 AM

Another question: do you guys have any glass caopy between the water and the fixture? THe reason I am asking is my tank is located in a very small dedicated room (rather a improved closet!) and I am afraid leaving the top completly open will lead to too much humidity building up, though I realize putting a glass on the tank will affect the amount of light received but the tank itself...

jonnybravo22 · 04/10/2009, 11:26 PM

bump - same query as op

i hear the few of you who have the unit saying it is good -- does anyone have any pics of this system in the works!? also i have not heard anyone say they have had success with the more light intensive anemones. is this system adequate for say carpet anemones?

can someone please post pictures!? thank you

dolfandds · 04/11/2009, 06:41 AM

I have the 6 module 72 inch aquaillumination light on my 200 gallon reef. The Light has worked flawlessly for the past 6 months. The quality is only exceeded by the customer support I received from Chris at Aquaillumination. My tanl is mostly SPS with some LPS. I have two Rose Anenomes from the initial set up and a green carpet for three weeks all doing great. I highly recommend AI if your taking the LED route. I replaced 3 250 Mh lights with the AI and my electric bill has dropped around 40.00 per month for the past 6 months compared to the same billing period last year. Also my chiller rarely comes on and the room is much cooler. Hope this helps

bebereef · 04/11/2009, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JStorey
My tank is 10x2x2. I only run mine at 75% intensity.

wood really like to see some pics.

jonnybravo22 · 04/11/2009, 09:36 AM

dolfandds,

would love to see a pic of your carpet under this light. if you have any before / after shots that would be really helpful, thanks.

also how much 'customization' can you actually do with the lights? do you have the full range of the light spectrum? for instance - my impression from their site and posts here is that you can somehow program it so that when it's on 100% each bulb is at your choice between 6500k and 20000K. i also have the impression that you can tell it when to turn on and that it gradually builds up to 100% intensity over whatever time frame you set (like a 42 minute sunrise for example), and the same for turning off.

if that's all accurate that sounds like a pretty bad@$$ device.

dolfandds · 04/11/2009, 12:29 PM

No Pics yet..............you can set white from 1% to 100% as well as the Blue. Sunrise and sunset times are fully controllable.mine are set to 30 minutes. There is also a lunar phase for moon lighting.all in all a great light!!!

jonnybravo22 · 04/11/2009, 03:19 PM

i like that and i would buy one - i like the no heat and the idea of it and all, but i want a carpet anemone and i don't believe these lights can do it. from the very few pictures i've seen, the lights look dim/weak.

some photo evidence to the contrary would be great.

JStorey · 04/11/2009, 05:14 PM

This is a pic from about 6 months ago. I have since upgraded to the new rail system but haven't gotten around to taking a pic yet. Will try in the next day or so.

becact · 04/11/2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jonnybravo22
i like that and i would buy one - i like the no heat and the idea of it and all, but i want a carpet anemone and i don't believe these lights can do it. from the very few pictures i've seen, the lights look dim/weak.

some photo evidence to the contrary would be great.

FYI- LEDs will look more dim watt for watt compared to halides, but exceed halides in the PAR department watt for watt. That is, your corals receive more "useful" light out of LEDs for every watt you give them, but they will not look as bright as a halide with the same wattage.

jonnybravo22 · 04/11/2009, 11:55 PM

becact - thank you very much for this input. i have read about the PAR exceeding MH but looking at pictures didnt see how given the fact that Mh looks significantly brighter. thank you for explaining that those two concepts are not contradictory.

jstorey - very attractive tank, thank you for posting a pic. looks bright enough for my taste visually. would love to see more. i know you've had the light for some time now, have they changed anything other than the rail since the version you bought?

also do you have sps? hard for me to tell what's in there but i dont see anything i know is sps. any anemones? do you think it could keep an anemone healthy? i would love to see some close ups if you have either. thank you for posting a pic when you can.

also, jstorey, what other lighting options did you consider before buying this one? im also looking at the geisemann moonlight infiniti.

cerreta · 04/12/2009, 01:07 AM

Great thread here. I am considering one for . . .da Artsy Cube nano project.

My concern with LED systems is coral coloration. Metal Halide systems excel with what I like to call coloration "pop." Corals under MH systems are brighter and display more exotic color hues, like neon greens and blues.

You can not compare color "pop" between VHO and MH. MH is far superior. T5s are better than VHO, but still do not create that "pop" that I see with a 14K Phoenix lamp on any wattage MH system.

It is difficult to describe what I see in words, but if you have ever moved one coral from tank to tank in an LFS looking at the same coral under different lighting systems, then you will know what I mean by "pop." Best "pop" usually occurs under MH radium and Phoenix 14K lamps.

Can anyone with an LED system comment on this "pop" effect in coral coloration betwen MH and LED systems?

If you do get the "pop" what settings are you using?

JStorey · 04/12/2009, 06:36 PM

My upgrade to the rail system included converting from the one long system to individual 12" modules hanging from a rail. They also changed the splash guard. Instead of an acrylic splash guard that covers everything the lens is no longer covered increasing light to the tank. The new system has one power supply peer 2 modules which helped me go from using 6 power supplies to 5. They have also made some changes in the controller and the circuit boards that run the system. I had PC's on my previious tank an considered MH when I upgraded to this tank but heat concerns along withless power consumption and no bulb changes pushed me to LED's. All in all I am very happy with them.

tufacody · 04/12/2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cerreta
Great thread here. I am considering one for . . .da Artsy Cube nano project.

My concern with LED systems is coral coloration. Metal Halide systems excel with what I like to call coloration "pop." Corals under MH systems are brighter and display more exotic color hues, like neon greens and blues.

You can not compare color "pop" between VHO and MH. MH is far superior. T5s are better than VHO, but still do not create that "pop" that I see with a 14K Phoenix lamp on any wattage MH system.

It is difficult to describe what I see in words, but if you have ever moved one coral from tank to tank in an LFS looking at the same coral under different lighting systems, then you will know what I mean by "pop." Best "pop" usually occurs under MH radium and Phoenix 14K lamps.

Can anyone with an LED system comment on this "pop" effect in coral coloration betwen MH and LED systems?

If you do get the "pop" what settings are you using?

This just goes to show you how opinions can vary. IMO corals "pop" better under T5 and VHO, and I find the 14k phoenix too dull colors with excessive blue.

7hogwarts · 04/19/2009, 07:51 PM

Part of the beauty of the AI system is that you can control the color from 6500k to 20,000k+ you can also control the intensity. I also like the lack of heat from the units. I would definately buy again.

03/30/2009, 12:01 PM	#1
Wolverinegreg Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 29	AquaIllumination LED Hi there, Does anyone has experience with the Aquaillmination LED system? I am contemplating fallin for it, since I'd like to get a powerfull light in order to have less limitation as of the type or corals I will be able to keep in my 65g tank. Metal Halide are not really an option beacuse of heat and also electricity, so I wonder if anyone had good results with the AquaIllumination (Coroal growth, anemones...?). It sounds great on their website, but... it's their website!

03/30/2009, 01:04 PM	#2
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	I personally like them and can vouch that they are incredibly bright. I don't think you would have issues growing corals anywhere in tank. They always seemed like a better option than the Solaris as they seemed to have a tad bit better light spread. Never heard any complaints about them either. On a downside, I would like to see them improve on the mounting hardware to make it a bit more sleek. __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

03/30/2009, 03:52 PM	#4
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	How many ai units do you use on your 300g? __________________ 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.

04/11/2009, 06:41 AM	#14
dolfandds Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: South Fl. Posts: 160	I have the 6 module 72 inch aquaillumination light on my 200 gallon reef. The Light has worked flawlessly for the past 6 months. The quality is only exceeded by the customer support I received from Chris at Aquaillumination. My tanl is mostly SPS with some LPS. I have two Rose Anenomes from the initial set up and a green carpet for three weeks all doing great. I highly recommend AI if your taking the LED route. I replaced 3 250 Mh lights with the AI and my electric bill has dropped around 40.00 per month for the past 6 months compared to the same billing period last year. Also my chiller rarely comes on and the room is much cooler. Hope this helps __________________ An investment in knowledge pays the best interest Ben Franklin Current Tank Info: 125 gallon reef

04/11/2009, 09:36 AM	#16
jonnybravo22 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,128	dolfandds, would love to see a pic of your carpet under this light. if you have any before / after shots that would be really helpful, thanks. also how much 'customization' can you actually do with the lights? do you have the full range of the light spectrum? for instance - my impression from their site and posts here is that you can somehow program it so that when it's on 100% each bulb is at your choice between 6500k and 20000K. i also have the impression that you can tell it when to turn on and that it gradually builds up to 100% intensity over whatever time frame you set (like a 42 minute sunrise for example), and the same for turning off. if that's all accurate that sounds like a pretty bad@$$ device. Last edited by jonnybravo22; 04/11/2009 at 09:53 AM.

03/30/2009, 03:50 PM	#3
JStorey Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 457	I have had the AI lights on my 300 gallon tank for over a year and really like them. You have the ability to control the intensity, color, sunrise and sunset times and duration. It puts zero heat in the tank. My chiller never runs. Everything in my tank is thriving and growing like crazy. I have my hanging from the ceiling which makes it look better and easier to access the tank.

03/30/2009, 03:54 PM	#5
JStorey Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 457	I have 10 modules on it.

03/30/2009, 05:52 PM	#7
JStorey Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 457	My tank is 10x2x2. I only run mine at 75% intensity.

03/30/2009, 06:11 PM	#8
kngfisher Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: VA Posts: 31	I have 4 modules on my 90 running at 85 white 100 blue. Looks great.Very directional light and no heat. Temp was running at 80.5 and now 78. Changed from dual Hamilton 250watt 14k MH with 2x truActinic t5 48" bulbs inside a Hamilton hood upgraded with hammertone reflector and icecap ballasts. Have had mine for about a week. So too soon to tell how sps and lps and clam and rbta will deal with it over time.

03/30/2009, 08:33 PM	#10
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	Is Aqua Illumination infringing upon the same so called "patent" that knocked PFO out of business? I dont think there should be a patent on something like that (an all LED lighting system), but what makes AI immune and PFO in violation?

03/31/2009, 12:13 AM	#11
Memnoch21 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 18	I actually e-mailed the company that filed the law suit... Apparently they have been working with other manufacturers to come to an arangement... PFO just didn't want to play ball from what I can understand, maybe these guys did???

03/31/2009, 09:26 AM	#12
Wolverinegreg Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 29	Another question: do you guys have any glass caopy between the water and the fixture? THe reason I am asking is my tank is located in a very small dedicated room (rather a improved closet!) and I am afraid leaving the top completly open will lead to too much humidity building up, though I realize putting a glass on the tank will affect the amount of light received but the tank itself...

04/10/2009, 11:26 PM	#13
jonnybravo22 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,128	bump - same query as op i hear the few of you who have the unit saying it is good -- does anyone have any pics of this system in the works!? also i have not heard anyone say they have had success with the more light intensive anemones. is this system adequate for say carpet anemones? can someone please post pictures!? thank you

04/11/2009, 12:29 PM	#17
dolfandds Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: South Fl. Posts: 160	No Pics yet..............you can set white from 1% to 100% as well as the Blue. Sunrise and sunset times are fully controllable.mine are set to 30 minutes. There is also a lunar phase for moon lighting.all in all a great light!!! __________________ An investment in knowledge pays the best interest Ben Franklin Current Tank Info: 125 gallon reef

04/11/2009, 03:19 PM	#18
jonnybravo22 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,128	i like that and i would buy one - i like the no heat and the idea of it and all, but i want a carpet anemone and i don't believe these lights can do it. from the very few pictures i've seen, the lights look dim/weak. some photo evidence to the contrary would be great.

04/11/2009, 05:14 PM	#19
JStorey Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 457	This is a pic from about 6 months ago. I have since upgraded to the new rail system but haven't gotten around to taking a pic yet. Will try in the next day or so.

04/11/2009, 11:55 PM	#21
jonnybravo22 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,128	becact - thank you very much for this input. i have read about the PAR exceeding MH but looking at pictures didnt see how given the fact that Mh looks significantly brighter. thank you for explaining that those two concepts are not contradictory. jstorey - very attractive tank, thank you for posting a pic. looks bright enough for my taste visually. would love to see more. i know you've had the light for some time now, have they changed anything other than the rail since the version you bought? also do you have sps? hard for me to tell what's in there but i dont see anything i know is sps. any anemones? do you think it could keep an anemone healthy? i would love to see some close ups if you have either. thank you for posting a pic when you can. also, jstorey, what other lighting options did you consider before buying this one? im also looking at the geisemann moonlight infiniti.

04/12/2009, 01:07 AM	#22
cerreta Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,551	Great thread here. I am considering one for . . .da Artsy Cube nano project. My concern with LED systems is coral coloration. Metal Halide systems excel with what I like to call coloration "pop." Corals under MH systems are brighter and display more exotic color hues, like neon greens and blues. You can not compare color "pop" between VHO and MH. MH is far superior. T5s are better than VHO, but still do not create that "pop" that I see with a 14K Phoenix lamp on any wattage MH system. It is difficult to describe what I see in words, but if you have ever moved one coral from tank to tank in an LFS looking at the same coral under different lighting systems, then you will know what I mean by "pop." Best "pop" usually occurs under MH radium and Phoenix 14K lamps. Can anyone with an LED system comment on this "pop" effect in coral coloration betwen MH and LED systems? If you do get the "pop" what settings are you using? __________________ Cheers, Scott

04/12/2009, 06:36 PM	#23
JStorey Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 457	My upgrade to the rail system included converting from the one long system to individual 12" modules hanging from a rail. They also changed the splash guard. Instead of an acrylic splash guard that covers everything the lens is no longer covered increasing light to the tank. The new system has one power supply peer 2 modules which helped me go from using 6 power supplies to 5. They have also made some changes in the controller and the circuit boards that run the system. I had PC's on my previious tank an considered MH when I upgraded to this tank but heat concerns along withless power consumption and no bulb changes pushed me to LED's. All in all I am very happy with them.

04/19/2009, 07:51 PM	#25
7hogwarts Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 125	Part of the beauty of the AI system is that you can control the color from 6500k to 20,000k+ you can also control the intensity. I also like the lack of heat from the units. I would definately buy again.