Aqua illuminations SOL Blue 12" - Black Case

jeff1974 · 02/03/2012, 07:39 PM

what do u guys think of the Aqua illuminations SOL Blue 12" - Black Case
i just orderd two for my 90 gallon i do have a mix of sps lps and soffties and i really like the 20k look on a tank i know u need around a foot of your tank so you can get a good spread im runing 2x250 watt metal haides 4 power compact blues and two t5s blue i really like it blue i just hope im doign the right thing and im going to be happy with them i know ill drop the heat the chiller can go and ill save money on my electric bill will i be happy with leds thay are not cheap and i dont want to kill of my tank with them some say start them out at 10-15 percents them run around 60 percent i dont like that i wont get the shimmer some say i will any info you guys can give will be great thanks so much

SkullV · 02/03/2012, 08:09 PM

You are going to be putting WAY less light into your tank than what you are currently using. You really need 4 AI Sol fixtures for a 4' tank.

jeff1974 · 02/03/2012, 08:25 PM

i was told 2 lights buy reefgeeks im a foot off the water 4 would be over kill my buddie haorderd 3 for his 125

addicted2Nitrox · 02/03/2012, 08:40 PM

I have a six foot tank with 5 modules, which is slightly shady in areas. Id say you need about 1 module per foot when using their rails with legs. If your a foot above the water surface, light spread will be greater. You may be just fine. I would suggest starting at 30%intensity and ramp up 5% every week to avoid bleaching SPS.

Addicted

jeff1974 · 02/03/2012, 08:47 PM

yes i have a canopy thay are going to be 3 inches off top of cancopy to leave room for the fans and one foot on the tank i sure hope two will do it if not ill order one more i do mostley zoozs

addicted2Nitrox · 02/03/2012, 08:50 PM

As they are in a canopy, you can always turn them, and run them longways parrellel to front/back of tank.

jeff1974 · 02/03/2012, 08:53 PM

does that give you better spread? whats reason for that thanks

addicted2Nitrox · 02/03/2012, 08:58 PM

Same spread. Optics didn't change, just location of unit in comparison to position of tank. Most rockscapes are ledged against the back wall, youll see when you start playing with them. Turning will give you better left to right coverage (tank length). The height off water will give you coverage (front to back).

jeff1974 · 02/03/2012, 09:03 PM

i hope thes are as good as metalhaides or i just wasted a lot of money

Donkeykong · 02/03/2012, 09:20 PM

I am doing almost the same exact thing but it is on a 75 not 90. I already got one of the units and am waiting for my next Overtime check to pick up the next one. I will be eager to see how you like them on your tank. I saw a 180 with 4 on it at one of the lfs, it looked real good. So I am hoping 2 will do the trick on my 75 if not I know a third one will put me over the top.

jeff1974 · 02/03/2012, 10:25 PM

i hope i dont need 3 that will put me over budget but when has any one doing a nice set up not went over budget lol

chadfarmer · 02/03/2012, 10:35 PM

i would run a few t5s

SkullV · 02/04/2012, 11:05 AM

This is the reason so many people end up complaining about their LED setups. Not because they are inferior to T5/MH but because they REFUSE to believe that they need to purchase enough fixtures to properly light their tank.

Good luck!

dadnjesse · 02/04/2012, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkullV

This is the reason so many people end up complaining about their LED setups. Not because they are inferior to T5/MH but because they REFUSE to believe that they need to purchase enough fixtures to properly light their tank.

Good luck!

I agree with this you need one per foot if your going to keep SPS

jeff1974 · 02/04/2012, 11:09 PM

reefgeeks told me two will do the tank at 12 inches off the water ill start with that and order more if need to be

pardalis · 02/04/2012, 11:24 PM

After using the SOL's on a similar tank I am going to agree and say you'll need 3. I started with two as well and was running them at 85% - 90%. Once I got a third I dropped that to 70%

bvoss · 02/05/2012, 12:47 AM

You are going to have a really huge drop in the amount of light going into the tank. Looking at your current lighting, even 4 would not provide anywhere near the amount of light you have now.

Sorry to say it, but your best move might be to leave the box sealed and ship it back. Writing off 50 bucks in shipping is nothing compared to the livestock you are about to loose. I lost about $1,000 in livestock trying to transition from an ATI PM, and that was with 1 AI Sol per foot.

Geeray · 02/05/2012, 08:48 AM

Put in 70 deg optics and crank them you will be fine. IMO the biggest mistake is to turn them down too low to start.

Sidwayz · 02/05/2012, 02:48 PM

3 minimum for the 90. Start with 2 and add the third when you can. Until then supplement with t5.

bvoss · 02/05/2012, 03:49 PM

I am a little more negative. Not because I am an AI hater (which I am), but because you are not running a generic 90 gallon tank. You are running 500 watts of MH and probably another 300 watts of T5 and PCs. You corals have adapted to far more light than even 4 AI Sols could provide. Very few people run tanks with that much light anymore. General advice does not apply to you.

You have to turn AI Sols down and transition them gradually not because they are bright, but because corals transition to the light badly. When you try this with 2 AIs you will end up with 2 islands of coral bleached and the rest brown and light-starved.

I wish you the best of luck, I just have a feeling this will be very ugly and very expensive.

jeff1974 · 02/08/2012, 08:55 PM

found out each led rated at a 400 watt metal haide so ill be good to go if i need one more ill get it money no problem i dont have but 3 sps right now so if thay die ill buy more my leds are paid and orderd i cant wait to get them on the tank i really can wait to put the wireless contoller on the ai lights when it comes out sweet no more chiller no more hight electric bills no more gobs of wires and no more heat oh ya leds hear i come

SkullV · 02/08/2012, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff1974

found out each led rated at a 400 watt metal haide

Not even close.

pardalis · 02/08/2012, 09:39 PM

Where did you come up with the 400w equivalent? As SkullV said, no where close to that.

bvoss · 02/09/2012, 07:07 AM

That is just more myth-information from the web.

It is absolutely inacurate and false. The manufacture does not even suggest that performanc. They suggest 1 per foot of tank as the bare minimmum for SPS (and that does not even work well for many people).

These are closer to a one-to-one replacement for a 150 watt MH, and that comparison is not even that good because the spread is very different.

Donkeykong · 02/09/2012, 10:45 AM

I am a fan of the AI's and even I will tell that they are not a replacement for a 400 halide. Some where inbetween a 150 and 250. But since there light is very direction you cant cover a tank the same as halides. As I stated earlier I am doing 2 on a 75 and am ready and willing to add a third. I am hoping with 2 and strategic coral placement I will be fine.

02/03/2012, 07:39 PM	#1
jeff1974 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 91	Aqua illuminations SOL Blue 12" - Black Case what do u guys think of the Aqua illuminations SOL Blue 12" - Black Case i just orderd two for my 90 gallon i do have a mix of sps lps and soffties and i really like the 20k look on a tank i know u need around a foot of your tank so you can get a good spread im runing 2x250 watt metal haides 4 power compact blues and two t5s blue i really like it blue i just hope im doign the right thing and im going to be happy with them i know ill drop the heat the chiller can go and ill save money on my electric bill will i be happy with leds thay are not cheap and i dont want to kill of my tank with them some say start them out at 10-15 percents them run around 60 percent i dont like that i wont get the shimmer some say i will any info you guys can give will be great thanks so much

02/03/2012, 08:09 PM	#2
SkullV They Got My Number Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 6,898	You are going to be putting WAY less light into your tank than what you are currently using. You really need 4 AI Sol fixtures for a 4' tank. __________________ -Ted- Be cautious of those willing to share their "knowledge" but not their results.

02/03/2012, 08:40 PM	#4
addicted2Nitrox Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 13	I have a six foot tank with 5 modules, which is slightly shady in areas. Id say you need about 1 module per foot when using their rails with legs. If your a foot above the water surface, light spread will be greater. You may be just fine. I would suggest starting at 30%intensity and ramp up 5% every week to avoid bleaching SPS. Addicted __________________ Regards, Duston 180DT, 50sump, AI LEDs, Apex, 3-mp40's, BMP 200, Geo618CR, Monster w/GFO&Carbon

02/03/2012, 08:50 PM	#6
addicted2Nitrox Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 13	As they are in a canopy, you can always turn them, and run them longways parrellel to front/back of tank. __________________ Regards, Duston 180DT, 50sump, AI LEDs, Apex, 3-mp40's, BMP 200, Geo618CR, Monster w/GFO&Carbon

02/03/2012, 08:58 PM	#8
addicted2Nitrox Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 13	Same spread. Optics didn't change, just location of unit in comparison to position of tank. Most rockscapes are ledged against the back wall, youll see when you start playing with them. Turning will give you better left to right coverage (tank length). The height off water will give you coverage (front to back). __________________ Regards, Duston 180DT, 50sump, AI LEDs, Apex, 3-mp40's, BMP 200, Geo618CR, Monster w/GFO&Carbon

02/03/2012, 08:25 PM	#3
jeff1974 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 91	i was told 2 lights buy reefgeeks im a foot off the water 4 would be over kill my buddie haorderd 3 for his 125

02/03/2012, 08:47 PM	#5
jeff1974 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 91	yes i have a canopy thay are going to be 3 inches off top of cancopy to leave room for the fans and one foot on the tank i sure hope two will do it if not ill order one more i do mostley zoozs

02/03/2012, 08:53 PM	#7
jeff1974 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 91	does that give you better spread? whats reason for that thanks

02/03/2012, 09:03 PM	#9
jeff1974 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 91	i hope thes are as good as metalhaides or i just wasted a lot of money

02/03/2012, 09:20 PM	#10
Donkeykong Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Grover Beach CA Posts: 1,847	I am doing almost the same exact thing but it is on a 75 not 90. I already got one of the units and am waiting for my next Overtime check to pick up the next one. I will be eager to see how you like them on your tank. I saw a 180 with 4 on it at one of the lfs, it looked real good. So I am hoping 2 will do the trick on my 75 if not I know a third one will put me over the top.

02/03/2012, 10:25 PM	#11
jeff1974 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 91	i hope i dont need 3 that will put me over budget but when has any one doing a nice set up not went over budget lol

02/03/2012, 10:35 PM	#12
chadfarmer Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ST Charles, MO far from nanook Posts: 11,045 Blog Entries: 1	i would run a few t5s __________________ 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

02/04/2012, 11:05 AM	#13
SkullV They Got My Number Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 6,898	This is the reason so many people end up complaining about their LED setups. Not because they are inferior to T5/MH but because they REFUSE to believe that they need to purchase enough fixtures to properly light their tank. Good luck! __________________ -Ted- Be cautious of those willing to share their "knowledge" but not their results.

02/04/2012, 11:09 PM	#15
jeff1974 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 91	reefgeeks told me two will do the tank at 12 inches off the water ill start with that and order more if need to be

02/04/2012, 11:24 PM	#16
pardalis Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pacing the cage Posts: 123	After using the SOL's on a similar tank I am going to agree and say you'll need 3. I started with two as well and was running them at 85% - 90%. Once I got a third I dropped that to 70% __________________ Custom Deep Sea 56g "neo nano", "attached" 18g rimless tube anemone / mantis tank, Custom modern stand, AI SOL blue x 2, Apex controller, 2 x Vortech mp10es, Trigger Systems ruby 36s, Eheim 1262 and 1260 pumps, SWC 160 Cone skimmer w/ modded impellar and XL cup, 3 x Drews dosing pumps, phosban reactor, bio pellet reactor..... Various tarantulas, 3 pairs of panther chameleons, 2 pair of veiled chameleons, 1 pair of carpet chameleons..... -Greg Power-

02/05/2012, 12:47 AM	#17
bvoss Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 795	You are going to have a really huge drop in the amount of light going into the tank. Looking at your current lighting, even 4 would not provide anywhere near the amount of light you have now. Sorry to say it, but your best move might be to leave the box sealed and ship it back. Writing off 50 bucks in shipping is nothing compared to the livestock you are about to loose. I lost about $1,000 in livestock trying to transition from an ATI PM, and that was with 1 AI Sol per foot.

02/05/2012, 08:48 AM	#18
Geeray Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 262	Put in 70 deg optics and crank them you will be fine. IMO the biggest mistake is to turn them down too low to start.

02/05/2012, 02:48 PM	#19
Sidwayz Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: New Orleans, La. Posts: 18	3 minimum for the 90. Start with 2 and add the third when you can. Until then supplement with t5.

02/05/2012, 03:49 PM	#20
bvoss Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 795	I am a little more negative. Not because I am an AI hater (which I am), but because you are not running a generic 90 gallon tank. You are running 500 watts of MH and probably another 300 watts of T5 and PCs. You corals have adapted to far more light than even 4 AI Sols could provide. Very few people run tanks with that much light anymore. General advice does not apply to you. You have to turn AI Sols down and transition them gradually not because they are bright, but because corals transition to the light badly. When you try this with 2 AIs you will end up with 2 islands of coral bleached and the rest brown and light-starved. I wish you the best of luck, I just have a feeling this will be very ugly and very expensive.

02/08/2012, 08:55 PM	#21
jeff1974 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 91	found out each led rated at a 400 watt metal haide so ill be good to go if i need one more ill get it money no problem i dont have but 3 sps right now so if thay die ill buy more my leds are paid and orderd i cant wait to get them on the tank i really can wait to put the wireless contoller on the ai lights when it comes out sweet no more chiller no more hight electric bills no more gobs of wires and no more heat oh ya leds hear i come

02/08/2012, 09:39 PM	#23
pardalis Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pacing the cage Posts: 123	Where did you come up with the 400w equivalent? As SkullV said, no where close to that. __________________ Custom Deep Sea 56g "neo nano", "attached" 18g rimless tube anemone / mantis tank, Custom modern stand, AI SOL blue x 2, Apex controller, 2 x Vortech mp10es, Trigger Systems ruby 36s, Eheim 1262 and 1260 pumps, SWC 160 Cone skimmer w/ modded impellar and XL cup, 3 x Drews dosing pumps, phosban reactor, bio pellet reactor..... Various tarantulas, 3 pairs of panther chameleons, 2 pair of veiled chameleons, 1 pair of carpet chameleons..... -Greg Power-

02/09/2012, 07:07 AM	#24
bvoss Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 795	That is just more myth-information from the web. It is absolutely inacurate and false. The manufacture does not even suggest that performanc. They suggest 1 per foot of tank as the bare minimmum for SPS (and that does not even work well for many people). These are closer to a one-to-one replacement for a 150 watt MH, and that comparison is not even that good because the spread is very different.

02/09/2012, 10:45 AM	#25
Donkeykong Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Grover Beach CA Posts: 1,847	I am a fan of the AI's and even I will tell that they are not a replacement for a 400 halide. Some where inbetween a 150 and 250. But since there light is very direction you cant cover a tank the same as halides. As I stated earlier I am doing 2 on a 75 and am ready and willing to add a third. I am hoping with 2 and strategic coral placement I will be fine.