Sfiligoi VISION Plasma Lighting

[Aquatics Elite]

Sfiligoi has broadened their already impressive model lineup with the introduction of their plasma, or LIFI, fixture. Sfiligoi has taken the design of their already successful flagship Infinity XR6 and implemented this new plasma technology. Sfiligoi Vision offers the following features:

- "Electrode Less" Plasma system
- Complete Light Emission system, very similar to sunlight
- Long life, up to 50 000hrs
- Increased output at much lesser consumption
- Dimmable between 100-20%

Pic of the prototype:
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac315/AquaticsElite/DSC_0345.jpg
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac315/AquaticsElite/DSC_0317.jpg

[Stones]

Nice to see a manufacturer finally picking up on this new technology and building a fixture marketed specifially for the marine hobbyist. Hats off to Sfiligoi. How long before the plasma and the new LED models will be available for purchase Tim?

[Aquatics Elite]

Nice to see a manufacturer finally picking up on this new technology and building a fixture marketed specifially for the marine hobbyist. Hats off to Sfiligoi. How long before the plasma and the new LED models will be available for purchase Tim?

I believe I will be able to start bringing the Led fixtures in 1-2 months time and the Plasma may be a couple more months out. Fingers crossed its before the fall season. Pricing is still up in the air.

[TheKid]

So the little thing next to the coin is the only thing that needs to be replaced like a bulb?

[zum14]

Very impressive looking lights, I read an article on the plasma lights but wasn't expecting them to be coming out so soon. Very interested in the price. It will be interesting to see if it effects the market for the metal halide pricing. That is if it takes off and is succesful.

[Aquatics Elite]

So the little thing next to the coin is the only thing that needs to be replaced like a bulb?
Yes thats the lamp!

[Aquatics Elite]

Very impressive looking lights, I read an article on the plasma lights but wasn't expecting them to be coming out so soon. Very interested in the price. It will be interesting to see if it effects the market for the metal halide pricing. That is if it takes off and is succesful.
I am expecting this pricing to be very high as is all new aquarium lighting technologies eg. LED a couple years ago. I will have some more insight later this week.

[zum14]

I am expecting this pricing to be very high as is all new aquarium lighting technologies eg. LED a couple years ago. I will have some more insight later this week.

LED a few years ago? I think there still up there, but I agree its still new technology. I saw one the other week, simulated lightning,fully dimmable from side to side to simulate sunrise and sunset and everything, awesome looking light but I think they were expecting like $6000 for a 72" so id have to say there still up there. Im more curious if it will make the power hungry metal halides, or the lesser output T5's drop as they will be old news. In all though if they are as good as the article made them sound it may just be worth the money. Got to factor in bulb savings and energy savings over life of the unit, and well I guess a guy looks at light output per $ of operating too.

[Aquatics Elite]

LED a few years ago? I think there still up there, but I agree its still new technology. I saw one the other week, simulated lightning,fully dimmable from side to side to simulate sunrise and sunset and everything, awesome looking light but I think they were expecting like $6000 for a 72" so id have to say there still up there. Im more curious if it will make the power hungry metal halides, or the lesser output T5's drop as they will be old news. In all though if they are as good as the article made them sound it may just be worth the money. Got to factor in bulb savings and energy savings over life of the unit, and well I guess a guy looks at light output per $ of operating too.
A perfect analogy would be hybrid vehicles. You pay a premium for them but in the end, factoring in the reduced fuel consumption, did you really save much?

I would most be concerned with the light technology's performance. MH lamps are a proven means to providing adequate lighting conditions in order for our $1000's worth of corals to not only survive, but thrive. I would hope to see corals respond with a more healthy development rather than try to save $100 a year in hydro.

I guess it is a wait and see as with all technologies. Maybe I may be fortunate enough to swap out one of my Infinity pendants for one of these plasma units and test its performance.

[zum14]

A perfect analogy would be hybrid vehicles. You pay a premium for them but in the end, factoring in the reduced fuel consumption, did you really save much?

I would most be concerned with the light technology's performance. MH lamps are a proven means to providing adequate lighting conditions in order for our $1000's worth of corals to not only survive, but thrive. I would hope to see corals respond with a more healthy development rather than try to save $100 a year in hydro.

I guess it is a wait and see as with all technologies. Maybe I may be fortunate enough to swap out one of my Infinity pendants for one of these plasma units and test its performance.

I agree 100% hence the " if it takes off and is successful ". If you can get the same or better light performance but at a cheaper energy cost and maintence cost, someone might put out a little more in the beginning to make up over time. If not leave it alone (who cares if you can have a lightning storm right?) Looking forward to hear the results if you do get to use one. Must be fun getting all this new stuff to "test run".

[Aquatics Elite]

I agree 100% hence the " if it takes off and is successful ". If you can get the same or better light performance but at a cheaper energy cost and maintence cost, someone might put out a little more in the beginning to make up over time. If not leave it alone (who cares if you can have a lightning storm right?) Looking forward to hear the results if you do get to use one. Must be fun getting all this new stuff to "test run".
I certainly admire the approach Sfiligoi has taken in developing fixtures and technology of all angles. They are the only manufacturer able to dim each technology including MH, LED, T5 and Plasma. I have been intrigued by their work and have taken a particular interest in this new Genesis model which seems to offer the every desirable feature in a lighting system. I will definitely share more once I visit with Sfiligoi later this week.:biggrin:

[gobytron]

[QUOTE=zum14;519624] (who cares if you can have a lightning storm right?)QUOTE]


I do.

And it hurts me everytime I look in my tank.:cry:

[Aquatics Elite]

To everyone patiently awaiting pricing on these fixtures, we can tell you it will in fact be finalized this week with all details and model configurations.

In the meantime, here is a couple pics of a Vision single pendant over a 2m (78") tank in Europe. Pretty incredible considering the lopsided angle it is suspended at!

http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac315/AquaticsElite/DSC00558.jpg
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac315/AquaticsElite/DSC00563.jpg

Also, here is the render of the Dual Vision 48" model expected:
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac315/AquaticsElite/DOUBLEplasma.jpg

[Aquatics Elite]

Vision Plasma details and pricing have been finalized.

Vision Specs:

-available in single 24" and dual 48" fixtures
-Plasma dimmable from 100-20% via compatible 0-10v DC controllers(Sfiligoi Link, Profilux, Neptune Apex)
-manual, external dimmer included
-Long life, up to 50 000hrs
-Dimmable T5's upgrade option via Sfiligoi Link, Profilux, Neptune Apex
-LED Moon's
-Fan Cooled generator

-Vision performance equivelants:

Plasma output = 600w MH
Power Consumption = 260w
Heat Generation = 150w MH

Pricing:

Vision Single 24" - $2995.00
Vision Single 24" T5 Dimmable - $3495.00

Vision Dual 48" - $5895.00
Vision Dual 48" T5 Dimmable - $6495.00

To view more info visit here: http://www.aquaticselite.com/Sfiligoi_Vision_Plasma_s/53.htm

[mark]

spectrum (colour temperature)?

[Aquatics Elite]

spectrum (colour temperature)?
Peak intensity is 5800k however, not equal to what you would expect from a MH of that kelvin. Plasma is more representative of natural sunlight. Immediately during dimming of the plasma, the colour changes considerably to an eventual deep blue at 20% intensity. When dimming MH lamps via ACLS on all the Sfiligoi fixtures, it tends to dim more towards a purple look.

[Aquatics Elite]

The first Sfiligoi Vision due for North America is currently in production and due to arrive on the new 225g show tank at Reef Raft sometime early November! We are looking forward to its arrival and to display this fixtures potential. It will consist of dimmable control of both Plasma and T5's via the Sfiligoi Link controller and be sporting an attractive powder blue enclosure. Stay tuned....

[Aquatics Elite]

For those who are interested in comparison of Sfiligoi's closest competitor, here is a visual of construction:
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac315/AquaticsElite/VISIONvsSTRAYLIGHT1.jpg

[gobytron]

meh...
comparison is interesting but meaningless without a price point for each fixture.

[StirCrazy]

Hi Tim, good to see they worked the problems out on these things finaly.. its been 8 years since the "first" prototype came out, and I had thought they gave up because of short bulb life, and unstable output but they must have fixed this.

did they give you a bulb replacement period and price? I know they said 50000 hours but they also said upto and we also change out MH bulbs at about 1/4-1/2 of there life span.

Steve

[Aquatics Elite]

Hi Tim, good to see they worked the problems out on these things finaly.. its been 8 years since the "first" prototype came out, and I had thought they gave up because of short bulb life, and unstable output but they must have fixed this.

did they give you a bulb replacement period and price? I know they said 50000 hours but they also said upto and we also change out MH bulbs at about 1/4-1/2 of there life span.

Steve
Hi Steve, according to Luxim, lamp life is expected to be in between 30000-50000 hrs. At 10 hrs use a day that equates to 8-12 years life span. Sfiligoi has said replacement cost of the plasma lamp/bulb is apparently pennies.

The Plasma is supposed to hold a steady intensity throughout lamp life in comparison to the decline in performance you witness with MH and some high powered LED's.

[StirCrazy]

Hi Steve, according to Luxim, lamp life is expected to be in between 30000-50000 hrs. At 10 hrs use a day that equates to 8-12 years life span. Sfiligoi has said replacement cost of the plasma lamp/bulb is apparently pennies.

The Plasma is supposed to hold a steady intensity throughout lamp life in comparison to the decline in performance you witness with MH and some high powered LED's.

good they have come a long way in the last 8 years, I was thinking the idea was scrapped as realy there has been no progress untill now.

Steve

[lastlight]

Sfiligoi has said replacement cost of the plasma lamp/bulb is apparently pennies.

So I think it's extremely safe to say that those prices you posted include bulbs? :mrgreen:

[phi delt reefer]

For those who are interested in comparison of Sfiligoi's closest competitor, here is a visual of construction:
http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac315/AquaticsElite/VISIONvsSTRAYLIGHT1.jpg

Definitely interesting technology though the color leaves something to be desired (very yellow) - though Sfiligoi seems to have taken everything into account by adding t5's (good thinking :))

Heres a link to show the potential of Plasma (specifically the seashine units being compared in the pic above)

FYI - NOT MY TANK

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=239302

I "borrowed" some of the pics and posted them here for discussion purposes :)

FTS (Lights are 16 inches above the tank and tank is 20 inches deep)
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af43/vinceispatel/Seashineon150024.jpg

lights at 50%
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af43/vinceispatel/PARTest150GSeashineHalfPower-1.jpg

lights at full power
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af43/vinceispatel/PARTest150GSeashineFullPower-1.jpg

Interesting how the spectrum changes significantly at different power levels.

Anyone know how efficient these lights are? Is there a chance for this technology to make its way to budget reefers ever or will this always be a "posh" technology?

[StirCrazy]

from the reading I have been doing they output more Lumin/watt than LEDs so very efficient. would be nice to see how much the bare bones of the system will cost for people wanting to retrofit there own fixtures.

Steve

[reef]

lights at full power
How does the par compare with metal halides?

[Aquatics Elite]

Here is a shot of a single Vision Plasma alongside a Sfiligoi Infinity XR6 equipped with 2x250w MH and 4x54w T5. Pretty impressive.

http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac315/AquaticsElite/DSC05175P.jpg

[StirCrazy]

its to bad they take first place for the uglyest fixture you can buy.

what are the T5's in there? are they actinics?

Steve