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Aquattro · #1 06-03-2012, 03:31 AM

Unfortunately, I'll have to wait a bit longer..

Officially, 3 AI Sol Blue are not enough light for a fully stocked and mature SPS tank.
The color of the tank with these lights is much nicer than I expected, and no heat at all, which means huge savings on my chiller NOT running all the time.

But, with only three lights, at 100%, it's just not enough...

I expect corals to lose color shortly....

Borderjumper · #2 06-03-2012, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Unfortunately, I'll have to wait a bit longer..

Officially, 3 AI Sol Blue are not enough light for a fully stocked and mature SPS tank.
The color of the tank with these lights is much nicer than I expected, and no heat at all, which means huge savings on my chiller NOT running all the time.

But, with only three lights, at 100%, it's just not enough...

I expect corals to lose color shortly....

So you got them mounted? Are you going to run the 3 as is now or did you go back to the MH until you get a 4th?

Aquattro · #3 06-03-2012, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borderjumper

So you got them mounted? Are you going to run the 3 as is now or did you go back to the MH until you get a 4th?

Gonna need a 5th and 6th too, me thinks

Dismantled the MH gear, so running as is until I get more. I retro fitted a rail system into the existing canopy, so there's no going back...

Borderjumper · #4 06-03-2012, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Gonna need a 5th and 6th too, me thinks

Dismantled the MH gear, so running as is until I get more. I retro fitted a rail system into the existing canopy, so there's no going back...

Damn... At least you like the color!

Aquattro · #5 06-03-2012, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borderjumper

Damn... At least you like the color!

Ya, it looks good, and the sunrise/sunset/moon are nice effects. I don't like the color separation, but I knew that already. I suppose I'll get used to it.

Certainly nice things to say about LED, but they are not as nice visually as MH, IMO.

sphelps · #6 06-03-2012, 04:08 AM

Keep in mind LEDs are significantly dimmer than traditional halides, it takes time for your eyes to adjust. When I first setup mine I ran them at 100% and still thought they looked dim, after toasting all my sps I now run them closer to 50%. Don't use your eyes to judge.

Aquattro · #7 06-03-2012, 04:15 AM

I just don't have the coverage I'd like. The well lit areas are nice and bright, but the spread isn't enough. For a softie tank, or even mixed LPS, three would be fine. But after coming from 3 x 400w, it's just lacking for a SPS tank.
I mounted parallel to the front glass, and I don't get enough light front to back.
My only real complaint is the light separation, but I'm sure that will fade once I get used to it. Overall, nice lights, no more fans or noise (MH bulbs can be loud!) and I'll save a ton of money not running my 1/2hp chiller 8 hours a day.
The amperage output on my Apex read slightly over 12 amps with MH, the Sols pull about 0.3. Gonna save some money there. Biggest issue for me is evaporation. My house might actually dry out now without that heat over the tank.

sphelps · #8 06-03-2012, 04:29 AM

Did you change the lenses to all 40?

Aquattro · #9 06-03-2012, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

Did you change the lenses to all 40?

No, I stayed with the stock optics. Lights about 6 or 7 inches of the water.

They just won't cover a 2x2 area fully unless I raise them high enough to really cut down intensity.
Coverage from a 400w in a Lumenarc reflector is much greater.

rastaangel · #10 06-03-2012, 04:52 AM

You could swap the 70/40 reflectors to 70s and get more spread but less penetration if you have a shallower tank