Controller for Cadlights latest LED for 50G Cube?

av8rtrb · 12/18/2011, 04:18 PM

Ok, I'm pretty much newbie so please be patient. I can solder well but I'm not a double-e. I have the LED fixture that came with my Cadlights 50g artisan cube. It is not programmable. While you can adjust the brightness levels, when the timer cuts off the power at the end of the day and it comes back on in the morning it re-sets to full power. Is there some kind of LED controller that I can use to gradually increase/decrease the brightness to simulate sunrise & sunset? I do have an Apex controller (still in the box) but although I have read thru the owner's manual it is not clear to me whether it will be any help. It's possible that what I want cannot be done with this fixture, but I thought it worth asking about.

ccreviston74 · 12/21/2011, 02:36 PM

I just bought the same fixture, have yet to set it up. Would be interested on any solution you come up with. I saw some mention of and additional led tube you could strap on these things for dawn, dusk, and moonlight. Haven't looked into it yet.

What kind of stuff have you had success with under this light? I don't have a good gauge for what these LED fixtures will support. SPS, clams, nems? Just want to be realistic when stocking.

av8rtrb · 12/22/2011, 07:02 AM

I've only been using the fixture for a few days now and the tank it's on is just FOWLR so I can't be much help about what it supports. I got the light as part of the tank/sump/lights/skimmer/etc. package and the light is the only thing I am using so far. I have to build the stand and that will take me a while and since I had the light I set it up on a little 15g tank I already had set up.

Your idea about the extra strip might be the only way to go if we can't do it with electronics. Do you have your tank set up now? How's it working?

ccreviston74 · 12/23/2011, 10:41 AM

Have not set it up yet. I have the cad 39 signature package. They don't come with much documentation. I should have it filled with water and live rock by mid next week.

Other than the timer problem, it seems pretty nice, for the price. Tank is nice too, but it seems like they skip alot on the trimmings (lid, pump, fittings). I imagine I'll want to run at full strength, anyway, maybe dim it down in the evening so it's no so bright. I honestly think the dawn/dusk/moon effect is more for us than the critters, anyway. People have been blasting metal halides at then for years with good success. A couple added strips for color/additional PAR down the road might be good, anyway. Tinker, tinker . . .

Keep me posted.

Cort

av8rtrb · 12/24/2011, 08:40 AM

I agree with you completely; the tank looks to be well done but some of the extras aren't top-notch. And like you I didn't get any documentation or instructions. That would have been nice especially for the skimmer, as I haven't ever run one before.

12/18/2011, 04:18 PM	#1
av8rtrb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 52	Controller for Cadlights latest LED for 50G Cube? Ok, I'm pretty much newbie so please be patient. I can solder well but I'm not a double-e. I have the LED fixture that came with my Cadlights 50g artisan cube. It is not programmable. While you can adjust the brightness levels, when the timer cuts off the power at the end of the day and it comes back on in the morning it re-sets to full power. Is there some kind of LED controller that I can use to gradually increase/decrease the brightness to simulate sunrise & sunset? I do have an Apex controller (still in the box) but although I have read thru the owner's manual it is not clear to me whether it will be any help. It's possible that what I want cannot be done with this fixture, but I thought it worth asking about.

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12/21/2011, 02:36 PM	#2
ccreviston74 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 53	I just bought the same fixture, have yet to set it up. Would be interested on any solution you come up with. I saw some mention of and additional led tube you could strap on these things for dawn, dusk, and moonlight. Haven't looked into it yet. What kind of stuff have you had success with under this light? I don't have a good gauge for what these LED fixtures will support. SPS, clams, nems? Just want to be realistic when stocking.

12/22/2011, 07:02 AM	#3
av8rtrb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 52	I've only been using the fixture for a few days now and the tank it's on is just FOWLR so I can't be much help about what it supports. I got the light as part of the tank/sump/lights/skimmer/etc. package and the light is the only thing I am using so far. I have to build the stand and that will take me a while and since I had the light I set it up on a little 15g tank I already had set up. Your idea about the extra strip might be the only way to go if we can't do it with electronics. Do you have your tank set up now? How's it working?

12/23/2011, 10:41 AM	#4
ccreviston74 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 53	Have not set it up yet. I have the cad 39 signature package. They don't come with much documentation. I should have it filled with water and live rock by mid next week. Other than the timer problem, it seems pretty nice, for the price. Tank is nice too, but it seems like they skip alot on the trimmings (lid, pump, fittings). I imagine I'll want to run at full strength, anyway, maybe dim it down in the evening so it's no so bright. I honestly think the dawn/dusk/moon effect is more for us than the critters, anyway. People have been blasting metal halides at then for years with good success. A couple added strips for color/additional PAR down the road might be good, anyway. Tinker, tinker . . . Keep me posted. Cort

12/24/2011, 08:40 AM	#5
av8rtrb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 52	I agree with you completely; the tank looks to be well done but some of the extras aren't top-notch. And like you I didn't get any documentation or instructions. That would have been nice especially for the skimmer, as I haven't ever run one before.