If you were to add LED's to a AI Sol Blue what would you add?

[kc350twin]

As many of you have seen I have been wanting a little more spectrum from my AI Sol blue unit's. I was thinking of adding a supplemental DIY unit or units to broaden the spectrum. I am not sure what to add so I am asking for help.

On many DIY sites I see so many choices

UV, Red, Orange, Pink, Cool White, Neutral White, Purple.......etc....etc.

I will be running two Sol blues for coverage and was thinking of adding a DIY led supplement in the middle if the two.

Any thoughts????????????????????

Kc3

[heckeng]

I would think a neutral or warm white to add brightness and balance. That will also add a little of the red spectrum with those LEDs. It definitely doesn't need any more blue or UV in my opinion.

[kc350twin]

No UV? they were on my list to add since seeing someone add them to a Radion.

[heckeng]

This is just my opinion, but UV is barely visible to the human eye, and they already have PLENTY of blue and purple via the Blue/RB LEDs so while you can add UV, I doubt you will perceive much difference. Plus, blasting the corals with the blues (that we can't see very much of anyway, especially when the white LED is on) is what burns the corals, so I would think adding some warmer white to balance out the tons of blue would be the way to go--just my opinion though. I haven't done or seen this before, so it is just a guess. I know there are those who will argue with me about adding the UV but this is just what makes sense to me.

[kmu]

Magenta, Red, Green and a couple of warm whites

[edsreef]

Originally Posted by kc350twin

No UV? they were on my list to add since seeing someone add them to a Radion.

It wasn't UV; it was 420nm that was added.

[ghostman]

I set up an Ecoxotic magenta/warm white strip and piggy backed it to my 4 sol units. The LEDs are only 1W or so, and don't have optics so I hung them at an angle pointed into the tank. IMO it made a little difference, bringing out more of the reds and purples in my SPS. Not sure if I'll keep it up or not though...

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by heckeng

I would think a neutral or warm white to add brightness and balance. That will also add a little of the red spectrum with those LEDs. It definitely doesn't need any more blue or UV in my opinion.

Any more UV? There is no UV to begin with. The lowest level is right around 445nm. It is a MAJOR downfall to the majority of LED systems on the market.

We have been using pure actinic bulbs for ages and now when LEDs come around, it isn't needed?

You could run a T5 fixture full of pure actinic bulbs and NEVER worry about burning your corals. You may lose colors and things may die from a lack of light but you won't "burn" them.

Most UV LEDs are around the 405nm mark. You are correct that it is barely visible to the human eye but trust me corals can see it. My corals look so much better since I added one 403nm UV stunner strip from Ecoxotic. I actually want to add a second so the light spreads out a little better.

AI REALLY needs to add spectrum below the 445nm mark and also ditch all cool whites for neutral whites.

[heckeng]

Originally Posted by rtparty

Any more UV? There is no UV to begin with. The lowest level is right around 445nm. It is a MAJOR downfall to the majority of LED systems on the market.

We have been using pure actinic bulbs for ages and now when LEDs come around, it isn't needed?

You could run a T5 fixture full of pure actinic bulbs and NEVER worry about burning your corals. You may lose colors and things may die from a lack of light but you won't "burn" them.

Most UV LEDs are around the 405nm mark. You are correct that it is barely visible to the human eye but trust me corals can see it. My corals look so much better since I added one 403nm UV stunner strip from Ecoxotic. I actually want to add a second so the light spreads out a little better.

AI REALLY needs to add spectrum below the 445nm mark and also ditch all cool whites for neutral whites.

Ok, let me rephrase. . . . . the AI lights don't need any more Blue. The AI lights also don't need any UV. Is that better?

Like I said, this is my opinion and there will be those who differ from that.

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by heckeng

Ok, let me rephrase. . . . . the AI lights don't need any more Blue. The AI lights also don't need any UV. Is that better?

Like I said, this is my opinion and there will be those who differ from that.

Please back up your opinion then. Why does the AI not need UV? We are not talking about UVB lighting here or really even UVA. We are talking about light below the 445nm range.

WHY do LEDs not need this range? EVERY other light source we have ever used, including the sun, emits this range. Please explain ANY rational and/or logical reasoning here.

It is PROVEN that corals use light in the 420nm range for growth.



That image shows you all about what light levels are needed for corals. Some info might be off slightly but the chart is very good for reference.

As you can see Chlorophyll B, Violaxanthin, and Chlorophyll A all require light below the 445nm region.

That would lead the majority of us to believe that light in this range would be an added benefit on almost ALL LED systems, not just AI.

[heckeng]

Jeesh, do you just want to fight with everyone?

First, I already said it was my OPINION, and that others may disagree.

Second, I have seen SPS tanks with AI Sols with NO UV addition that were growing magnificently. Check out some searches for Chadfarmer's results--search for some of his threads or posts. I recently saw his setup, his display uses AI Sols and I think he may have had a small T5 thrown in there because he had it laying around, but it is pretty insignificant when you compare the light output of it to the AIs, and his frag tank uses an AI and some other AI similar fixture, with no other additional supplementation. Both tanks were amazing and showed NO signs of corals bleaching or starving for light of any sort, no RTN/STN etc.

Just because you added it, doesn't make it true, and just because I didn't, doesn't make me right either. That is great if you have had success adding it, but I have seen success without as well. Please quit trying to fight with everybody on every thread, it is very tiresome. I understand your point of view and respect your right to have your opinion.

[kc350twin]

Originally Posted by ghostman

I set up an Ecoxotic magenta/warm white strip and piggy backed it to my 4 sol units. The LEDs are only 1W or so, and don't have optics so I hung them at an angle pointed into the tank. IMO it made a little difference, bringing out more of the reds and purples in my SPS. Not sure if I'll keep it up or not though...

The stunners are by far the easiest to add. Do you feel it was worth it?

[kc350twin]

Originally Posted by edsreef

It wasn't UV; it was 420nm that was added.

Thanks for clarifying that.

How you liking it?

[ari5736]

I've added 2 Vertex illumilux strips to my existing AI setup, 1 Vertex is half warm white half neutral white, and the other strip is half neutral and half cool white. It has made me tank much brighter visibly and added the natural sunlight spectrum I felt was missing for my eyes.

[ari5736]

Forgot to mention, no optics on the Vertex also fills in a lot of spaces otherwise shadowed due to optics on AI.

[NatureNerd]

I would add a touch more warm white. I think my yellow and green corals would look nicer with a little more yellow in the tank. I do not expect any better growth, it would just be for appearance sake.

[rtparty]

Originally Posted by heckeng

Jeesh, do you just want to fight with everyone?

First, I already said it was my OPINION, and that others may disagree.

Second, I have seen SPS tanks with AI Sols with NO UV addition that were growing magnificently. Check out some searches for Chadfarmer's results--search for some of his threads or posts. I recently saw his setup, his display uses AI Sols and I think he may have had a small T5 thrown in there because he had it laying around, but it is pretty insignificant when you compare the light output of it to the AIs, and his frag tank uses an AI and some other AI similar fixture, with no other additional supplementation. Both tanks were amazing and showed NO signs of corals bleaching or starving for light of any sort, no RTN/STN etc.

Just because you added it, doesn't make it true, and just because I didn't, doesn't make me right either. That is great if you have had success adding it, but I have seen success without as well. Please quit trying to fight with everybody on every thread, it is very tiresome. I understand your point of view and respect your right to have your opinion.

I fully accept your opinion. I am sorry you think I am "arguing" with everyone in in "every" thread.

I simply asked for YOUR reasoning. If your reasoning is that you just don't think it will be helpful, where did you get that info? I want to read it and study even more. My intention is not to argue but to learn.

For every "great" looking tank I have seen 6 crappy tanks. I know of at least a half a dozen local reefers who have or had AI units that hate them. I also know of a few that love them. Those that love them all have one thing in common, they have been on their tanks for less than 6 months.

Plenty of people claim success with the AIs. Unless I see the tank in person, it is hard to believe. Sorry that is just me. I take pictures with a grain of salt. I can make my tank look awesome with selective pictures and cropping when in reality my tank is barren right now. I've been slowly selling off some stuff and saving money for my new system where I can back into SPS. Not to mention I am not spending the money on nice corals when LEDs can be hit and miss.

I have some corals that LOVE the LEDs and I have others who hate them. Just my experience though. Since adding the UV strip, those corals who were struggling have turned around. Is it the light? I can't say with 100% certainity. My tank could have matured even further and things are getting better. I can only share MY experience with something I ACTUALLY tried.

[chadfarmer]

so everyone that runs AI leds after 6 months doesnt like them?

i keep hearing the colors are off (can some please explain to me what that is in more detail)


can you explain? is it the lack of color?

i ran a DIY light on a tank for 8 months with no problems, it was a white, blue setup and had no problems (i hated the light because it was ugly)

[reefkeeper2]

I know I will probably regret posting in another of these LED debate threads, but I hate it when I see people spreading stuff that is just not true. My AI Sols will be 1 year old in two months. Below is my most recent vid. There are other vids on my channel that go back a few years so you can see the difference and progress my tank has made. I suppose I am just one of those people that like them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlX62...7nqaXBNaz4ccBj

[kc350twin]

I def don't hate them at all. I have had great success with them and have decided to keep them and add one more. There is no doubt that my old ATI T5 fixture brought out some more colors and the fact that it is bigger and has less shadows. I'm simply adding more spectrum to enhance my current colors.

[kc350twin]

Looks amazing reefkeeper2.

This thread was not meant to be a debate just wanted to get some opinions on adding spectrum.

[reefkeeper2]

Originally Posted by kc350twin

Looks amazing reefkeeper2.

This thread was not meant to be a debate just wanted to get some opinions on adding spectrum.

I know. That is why I first looked at it. Over the years I tried many types of lighting. Even when you changed a metal halide bulb or T5 for a different brand you could get a major change in the way your corals looked.
If I were you I wouldn't bother. First of all, a DIY add on is going to take away from the clean look of the fixtures. Secondly, I just don't think your going to see that much of a difference to make it worthwhile. AI should be providing some upgrades when their new model comes out. If the upgrade makes a significant difference in corals appearance and you like it, then I would say jump on it.

[BonsaiNut]

Originally Posted by rtparty

It is PROVEN that corals use light in the 420nm range for growth.

I believe you meant to say "the light spectra absorbed by zooxanthellae for photosynthesis".

I don't disagree with some of your general comments, but we need to be specific about terms. Corals (in and of themselves) do not utilize PAR - their hosted zooxanthellae do. They also don't utilize UVA or UVB radiation, though there is some indication that they actively try to BLOCK certain UV spectra by developing UV-blocking pigmentation.

It is clear that lighting which focuses solely on PAR is great at growing healthy zooxanthellae. Whether or not it is as successful in creating colorful, fast-growing corals is up for debate...

[kc350twin]

What led is the warm white on the Stunner strips 8k or 12k? Sorry for my ignorance.



Kc3

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by reefkeeper2

I know I will probably regret posting in another of these LED debate threads, but I hate it when I see people spreading stuff that is just not true. My AI Sols will be 1 year old in two months. Below is my most recent vid. There are other vids on my channel that go back a few years so you can see the difference and progress my tank has made. I suppose I am just one of those people that like them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlX62...7nqaXBNaz4ccBj

Gorgeous tank, nicely done video (I even like the music) and all corals seem healthy with growth tips.