Just tagging along... if you don't mind. :lol:

Well guys I'm going to be the lab rat! I understand that the units are backordered but I'll talk with J&L today & find out /make the order.
I am moving to my new home at the end of the month so tear down of the current FOWLR is the priority. I'll go pic intense on both the lighting & aquascaping for everybody not to worry.
The new set up will be a deep-water community (south pacific) so Softies, LPS, filter feeders & a decent fishload is the rough plan. I will try some SPS & clams, although they will not be the main focus of this system (SPS tanks are great, but I'm a sucker for so-called "soft" corals).
I want this set-up to be low maintenance & quite frankly stunning to look at. I'll be utilizing aquascaping techniques found in Reef Aquarium Vol III using eggcrate & black expanding pond foam + live rock on PVC frames so it should be pretty cool. I'm also going to try to camo necessary equipment (this tank is not drilled!) so the scape' should be a fun challenge.

I am very interested in what you find out about this new technology "Solaris". I have been told that J&L do not keep these lights in stock and order from the MFG on a per customer basis.

These lights would solve the heat and space issues I would have on my tank if I used a PC Halide system.

I cannot wait for your future posts.

Will

I'm a sucker for softies/LPS too :)

for those interested, advanced aquarist has a good review of the 14" solaris fixture here, comparing it to a single MH bulb:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/8/review2

here's a chart showing it's output, comparing it to an xm 250W 20000k bulb (a very good 20000k bulb that outputs better than most 13-15000k's)
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006...variant/medium

this is going to be a good thread. i'm dying to see someones tank with this lighting on it.

I wanna see what all the different dusk/dawn and whatnot options look like! And of course, follow the growth, that's the deciding factor.

Your whole project sounds cool :cool:

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Me too Me too.

I talked with Jeff at J&L and he has several units on the way so he tagged my name on one, good, no long delay! Lordy, these things are pricey!

they are definitely pricey. the hype is so huge on this lighting but its hard to find anyone actually using it with success on sps and corals. all the info i have found has been from the manufacturing and PAR testing. this is one reason i'm hooked on this thread to see how it works for you. good for you taking the plunge though.