1 AI LED over my 45G cube
- Thread starter rostato
- Start date
jkhuskies99
Premium Member
Rostato, do you have the 40 or 70 degree optics? I have read that they now have the 70 degree optics which should help with light spread.
sfexplicit
New member
Can't wait for the pics when u get the upgrade installed. Wanting to put one module over my 20x20x20 cube length ways.
rostato
Active member
It'll be a while untill the lights get here. AI doesn't keep much inventory, and I'll have to wait another week or tow untill I get them. Then, finding time to install them. I also have other plans for when it's broken down 
I'm hoping with all the new pucks I'll be able to swap out individual ones to get the perfect color combination. My understanding is they are all interchangable. So I can play with color...If I had a PAR meter I could try to get the best color to PAR ratio, but I'm not too concerned with PAR.
I'm hoping with all the new pucks I'll be able to swap out individual ones to get the perfect color combination. My understanding is they are all interchangable. So I can play with color...If I had a PAR meter I could try to get the best color to PAR ratio, but I'm not too concerned with PAR.
rostato
Active member
Alright, I decided to suck it up and install the SOL Blue upgrade after receiving it in the mail today. I have to say, the AI LED units quality is second to none. The craftsmanship is amazing. trhese things are built like tanks.
So here are some pics of the upgrade process. This way, there is no confusion, or worries for people who might think they cannot do the upgrade. If you cannot do this upgrade, you should not be in this hobby :thumbsup:
You need 2 tools, to do the upgrade, and maybe 30 minutes max. It took me 30 to take down the fixture, do the upgrade while taking pictures, and re hang the unit. Also, keep in mind I have a nasty flu :sad1:
The tool you need are a 5/64" allen wrench, and a #1 phillips head screwdriver.
Start by taking off the cover with the allen wrench
Then you'll see this...
Start removing the optics...
All optics removed
Then remove the fan wires
Then there are two screws to removed the circuit board
I had to remove a sticker to get to one of the screws
Now there are 3 screws in each puck. I am not going to show the removal of those, but it's easy. Some of the pucks needed a little twist to come off the board.
Here is the heat sink without the pucks
So here are some pics of the upgrade process. This way, there is no confusion, or worries for people who might think they cannot do the upgrade. If you cannot do this upgrade, you should not be in this hobby :thumbsup:
You need 2 tools, to do the upgrade, and maybe 30 minutes max. It took me 30 to take down the fixture, do the upgrade while taking pictures, and re hang the unit. Also, keep in mind I have a nasty flu :sad1:
The tool you need are a 5/64" allen wrench, and a #1 phillips head screwdriver.
Start by taking off the cover with the allen wrench
Then you'll see this...
Start removing the optics...
All optics removed
Then remove the fan wires
Then there are two screws to removed the circuit board
I had to remove a sticker to get to one of the screws
Now there are 3 screws in each puck. I am not going to show the removal of those, but it's easy. Some of the pucks needed a little twist to come off the board.
Here is the heat sink without the pucks
rostato
Active member
Now install in reverse order. I took pictures of the re-installation, but it is entirely unnecessary to post.
Don't forget to install the paper sleeves over the pucks and between the optics...
Also, the pucks should fit like in this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAAya-7qdCU
Here they are on my zero edge light tree
Here is my new light schedule for the profilux. I am hopeing to get AWESOME color all day, and still give the corals enought PAR. I only wish I had access to a PAR meter. The red line is the blue LED's, and the black is the white LED's
Don't forget to install the paper sleeves over the pucks and between the optics...
Also, the pucks should fit like in this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAAya-7qdCU
Here they are on my zero edge light tree
Here is my new light schedule for the profilux. I am hopeing to get AWESOME color all day, and still give the corals enought PAR. I only wish I had access to a PAR meter. The red line is the blue LED's, and the black is the white LED's
GeppettoCarlo
New member
Do you notice any difference in light coverage?
Tahoe Reefer
New member
Cant wait to see a FTS with the blue upgrage
jcusmarine
New member
Nice work...tagging along for pics. Thanks for sharing.
rostato
Active member
I'll post pics tomorrow. Zero difference with the upgrade on light coverage. The upgrade did not include the new optics, so I wasn't looking for better coverage. I was just looking for more of a blue spectrum. So far I can tell I need to play with the intensity settings because it is very blue. Hopefully I can get the white balance set correctly forpictures tomorrow.
At 100% on both blues and whites it gives off about the same color as my old Ushio 18k 250w DE halide used to have. Very nice coloration.
At 100% on both blues and whites it gives off about the same color as my old Ushio 18k 250w DE halide used to have. Very nice coloration.
rostato
Active member
A Little video review of the upgrade. The coloration sucks, but you get the idea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55kenGwif-w
Also, here are some TERRIBLE pictures from today. I simply cannt find the correct WB, and ISO settings for this DSLR.
100% white
100% Blue
100% white, and 100% Blue
I have also changed my lighting set up. Because of the vast differences with the SOL, and SOL Blue, I am haivng to completly re-work my lighting. Here is what I cam up with today. Hopefully this looks better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55kenGwif-w
Also, here are some TERRIBLE pictures from today. I simply cannt find the correct WB, and ISO settings for this DSLR.
100% white
100% Blue
100% white, and 100% Blue
I have also changed my lighting set up. Because of the vast differences with the SOL, and SOL Blue, I am haivng to completly re-work my lighting. Here is what I cam up with today. Hopefully this looks better.
rostato
Active member
Here is a video of a thunderstorm
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reefjunkie42
Wrasse junkie
hey, would 2 AI units be enought for a 48x12x 24 run long way? keep in mind im going to add another eventually but want to start the intitial setup with 2. also SOL blue or white? im not sure what one is best. seems like many people are ramping down whites a ton. so would it be better to get 1 of each? im confused but know this is the LED i want, after extensive research.
rostato
Active member
I think 2 wiull be perfect for you, and there shoudn't be a need for a third. Blue vs. White is a personal preference. At 100% both the white model has a 10-12K look, and the Blue has a, 18-20K look.
If you like blue, then get the blue model, and you'll have TONS of color to play with. The whites are probably heavier on PAR, but I cannot prove that due to the fact that I do not have a PAR meter.
reefjunkie42
Wrasse junkie
i want whatever one will be more helpful to coral growth...in terms of color, do you mean the amount of blue in the lights or the color of coral. it seemed like you didnt like the blue upgrade as much as the original.
