AI Sol Review

sphelps · #1 06-09-2012, 01:36 AM

My thoughts where the same when I switched to LEDs, I wanted to throw mine in the garbage or at least sell them off. However it does get better overtime and you adapt by selecting certain corals and colors that do better under the LEDs. In addition your eyes will adjust and you'll kind of forget about how good it was before, that is until you visit someone else still running halides.

Another thing you'll benefit from is red and green LEDs, not to say you should have bought the Radion but these colors actually do make a significant difference. They can be easily added as you continue on.

Aquattro · #2 06-09-2012, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

In addition your eyes will adjust and you'll kind of forget about how good it was before.

Lol, I think that about sums it up!! haha. I agree, I think it will sink in. From across the room, the tank looks fantastic. Maybe better than the Radiums. More of a magenta tone to it, which is really nice.

I thought of maybe adding a T5 across the front to fill in some areas of concern, but I'll leave it for now and see how quickly I forget how good it was before

sphelps · #3 06-09-2012, 01:45 AM

I think you're current is off to, no way 6 sols running close to full blast are only pulling 0.6amps which is only 70W. 3 400W halides using 12amps sounds right as that's 1400W. The sols should be pulling closer to 4 amps so you're basically using 1/3 the energy.

Aquattro · #4 06-09-2012, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

I think you're current is off

You're right, just checked at peak usage, it's probably 2.8amp

sphelps · #5 06-09-2012, 02:15 AM

They are rated at 72W each I believe so if you run them 100% then you're looking at 3.9A.

Aquattro · #6 06-09-2012, 02:55 AM

Here's a crappy phone pic showing coverage. Colors are washed out in the photo, but you can see the 6 units cover the area well..

sphelps · #7 06-09-2012, 03:08 AM

Aaahh don't show my wife, if she sees those angels in a reef tank I'm screwed!

Looking good btw, obviously coverage isn't an issue anymore. So I know you said the pic washed out the color but do you find color in general more washed out with the LEDs compared to your halides?