10 months AI Sol Blue LEDs- take a look

Awesome tank! I started a new 120g SPS tank with three AI Sol blues a few months ago. Figuring out if I am using enough light for long enough is my hardest problem right now. I run 3/3/3 for an hour, then 25/25/25 for 2 hours, then 45/45/45 for 3 hours, then 35/35/35 for 3 hours, then I start ramping down to moonlight settings at night. Do you think this is enough light and duration for SPS in a 24" tank? Figuring out my duration and PAR has been difficult. Everything looks ok, but I am not sure if I need more for better coloration and growth. Since it takes some time to see a difference after making changes, that's the difficult part to figure out...ha.
 
Your tank looks amazing Paul, and I have followed your posts in helping make my decision to purchase AI Sols. I did notice something though. It seems you do not have very many red or purple corals in your video. Is this by choice, or is it because the Sol Blues do not produce enough red light for good color rendition of reds in their spectrum? I'm not being negative on the sols, I ask because I am having trouble dialing in good color for my red planet, and red LPS. Thank you, your tank has inspired me!!!
 
Awesome tank! I started a new 120g SPS tank with three AI Sol blues a few months ago. Figuring out if I am using enough light for long enough is my hardest problem right now. I run 3/3/3 for an hour, then 25/25/25 for 2 hours, then 45/45/45 for 3 hours, then 35/35/35 for 3 hours, then I start ramping down to moonlight settings at night. Do you think this is enough light and duration for SPS in a 24" tank? Figuring out my duration and PAR has been difficult. Everything looks ok, but I am not sure if I need more for better coloration and growth. Since it takes some time to see a difference after making changes, that's the difficult part to figure out...ha.

I would increase very slowly. Your highest levels should approximate what happens in nature with the max light from the hours of 9AM to 3PM. Thats what I did. It took a few months. I watched carefully ready to cut back if I saw stress or bleaching. My tank is deeper than yours, but the sps are mostly near the top. I never saw any signs of stress. There are others though that have so be carefull .
Observation is the key and go slow increasing just 3-5% and just 15min in duration in a week.
 
Your tank looks amazing Paul, and I have followed your posts in helping make my decision to purchase AI Sols. I did notice something though. It seems you do not have very many red or purple corals in your video. Is this by choice, or is it because the Sol Blues do not produce enough red light for good color rendition of reds in their spectrum? I'm not being negative on the sols, I ask because I am having trouble dialing in good color for my red planet, and red LPS. Thank you, your tank has inspired me!!!

There is plenty of purple, some red (only have 3 red corals) but not so much pink. Photography seems much more difficult with LEDs. My red planet looks better than it did with the halides. What I don't have is that powderery pink color. I have some pink millis and a pink stylo and they are definately pink, but not like what you see with halides or especially T5s. It must be the spectrum of the LEDs that brings out some colors stronger than others.
If I had to explain it I would say that LEDs give corals a look that is most opposite to that of a T5 lit tank. LED colors are vivid, darker and intense. There can be lots of pop. T5 tend to be lighter, more varied coloration and subtle hues. I'm not saying one is better than the other. They are just different.
 
My 3 sol's will be in this week can't wait, I am courious to see how they look with my corals compared to my pacific sun lamps I am currently using and have been for the last 1 yr 1/2.
 
That is an inspiring tank you have there, it looks great. I have been thinking about investing in an LED system and I think you just convinced me that it is a good idea. Most of my sps perished after a tank switch, but now that I have things back on track I will be "re-collellecting". What is your aclimation strategy of new corals? I would assume you just start them at the bottom, but have you had any trouble with newly added corals?
 
Hi Reefkeeper2,

Very nice tank !!!

Have you changed the 40 degrees lenses for the 70 degrees ?

Thanks in advance for your answer
 
That is an inspiring tank you have there, it looks great. I have been thinking about investing in an LED system and I think you just convinced me that it is a good idea. Most of my sps perished after a tank switch, but now that I have things back on track I will be "re-collellecting". What is your aclimation strategy of new corals? I would assume you just start them at the bottom, but have you had any trouble with newly added corals?

Actually no, I put them where I want them. I have not had any problems when I introduce a new frag or coral. The color almost always darkens though, especially if the coral is light colored. I guess that is the response for the increased light.
 
Here is the pic of the ATS. It hangs over a 75 gal tank that is connected to my sump. At this time of year I have everything wrapped up in insulation.
 

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