accessory questions

Slick Fork

Slick Fork

New member
Hi all,

Trying to plan out my tank purchases for the next few months (so I can start saving) and a couple of profilux items made the list so I have a couple of quick questions.

1) High-Amp extension, I want to put my lighting on an independent circuit but what I'm reading suggests that the high-amp extension plugs into a switchable socket on an existing powerbar and uses that as it's on off switch instead of using a data cable. Is this correct? If so, I may just buy a Digital 6 powerbar instead.

2) Moonlights. I'm looking to add proper moonlights to my system. I have really been impressed with the pictures I've seen of the powerbrite arrays. In particular, I want that deep blue actinic "POP" as well as the shimmer that the PB's provide. Will the SimuL stick provide this effect? Would the spot be a better choice? Will neither come close? If it helps my tank is 48x24. I'd really like peoples feedback on this as I'm a little worried that the stick will light up more like a flourescent tube then a point source lite and the spot won't give me enough coverage. I've seen the youtube videos and they are good at showing off the lightning storms, but the effect looks more like a t5 ramping up.

3) If I go with the Simu light will I be able to multi-task the light, for example program one stick to go from 0-100% between 8-10AM, 100-0% between 10:30-11:30PM and from Midnight to 8AM act as a moonlight simulator.

Thanks
 
Hiya

Answers below your questions :)

1) High-Amp extension, I want to put my lighting on an independent circuit but what I'm reading suggests that the high-amp extension plugs into a switchable socket on an existing powerbar and uses that as it's on off switch instead of using a data cable. Is this correct? If so, I may just buy a Digital 6 powerbar instead.

ANSWER: Yes you are correct. In your case a dedicated 6 way power bar would be the best way to go.

2) Moonlights. I'm looking to add proper moonlights to my system. I have really been impressed with the pictures I've seen of the powerbrite arrays. In particular, I want that deep blue actinic "POP" as well as the shimmer that the PB's provide. Will the SimuL stick provide this effect? Would the spot be a better choice? Will neither come close? If it helps my tank is 48x24. I'd really like peoples feedback on this as I'm a little worried that the stick will light up more like a flourescent tube then a point source lite and the spot won't give me enough coverage. I've seen the youtube videos and they are good at showing off the lightning storms, but the effect looks more like a t5 ramping up.

ANSWER: The LED's will not provide shimmer so if you require this then i would go for a dedicated moonlight, however do not be put off teh Simu's for that reason as you can have 100% lunar control with these as well as true dawn dusk impementation.

Other users may wish to add their own coments here! ;)

3) If I go with the Simu light will I be able to multi-task the light, for example program one stick to go from 0-100% between 8-10AM, 100-0% between 10:30-11:30PM and from Midnight to 8AM act as a moonlight simulator.

ANSWER: Yes this is all part of the very advanced timing abilities that the profiLux offer

Let us know if we can help further
 
Thanks for the quick response Michael. I'm glad I clarified that on the powerbar before I ordered the High-Amp extension!!

I'm really torn as to what to do for moonlighting, I REALLY liked the effect those powerbrites produced with the shimmer, I imagine the colour on the simu LED would be very similar. But I also REALLY like the control-ability of the Simu LED's. I'll admit it, I want it all!! I'm hoping that some of the users here will chime in and post some pictures of their profilux light sticks and spots in action.

Cheers
 
If you are using the Digital power bar just for the lighting and you are Not going near the 13amp recommedned loading then i would say you are fine without the high amps.

High amps are fanastic for spreading the load if you are getting close to maximum ampage or want to use the power bar for other things as well.

Guys if anyone can take some good pictures of their Simu's in action could you post here please

Thanks ;)
 
hmm, no user opinions yet???

Michael: I saw in one of your other posts that you recommend against the Simu Spot on smaller then 6 ft tanks, is it too bright? too straight a beam as opposed to a "cone" of light?

Thanks
 
Hiya

It is personal taste to be honest, the simu-L do give a more direct down light effect, where as the spots will give a shimmer bounce although i can say the shimmer would match high res LED.

Cmon guys post ya pics for me ;(
 
Re: accessory questions

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13915822#post13915822 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Slick Fork
3) If I go with the Simu light will I be able to multi-task the light, for example program one stick to go from 0-100% between 8-10AM, 100-0% between 10:30-11:30PM and from Midnight to 8AM act as a moonlight simulator.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I use my SimuL Stick for exactly that..I get full coverage on my 48x24x24 120g. I get a lot of shimmer and fluorescence in moonlight mode - this effect varies in intensity daily because I use the moon phase simulation of the Profilux. I use the stick's red/orange light fades for sunset/sunrise and this appears to be the sps corals favorite time of day. I also have thunderstorms programmed in at night which use the white lightning flash portion of the stick - this is my favorite. Probably hard to photograph the above, but I will give it shot.
 
Great thanks and you have confirmed what i was not aware of, so the Simu's DO give SHIMMER, well thats an added bonus to the units right away.

Sorry i was unintentially miss leading on that fact and happy to hear I was wrong and they actually do create shimmer.


:)
 
..yeah and it is a dizzying amount of shimmer..but only in moonlight mode because my normal lights out compete the stick's LEDs so the effect is not noticeable when my normal lights are on.
 
That's awesome to hear, if you could manage some pic's with just the moonlights on, that would be fantastic. I know I'll have to take your word on the shimmer but I'd like to see the how corals fluoresce underneath them!

I'd like to have it set up so the LED's ramp up to full t5's switch on (non-dimmable until I get the kit) LED's go off MH's go on then off, LED's pop on just as the t5's are switching off and then the LED's ramp down to moonlight mode

Now I'm really eager to see some pic's!
 
If my tank was not still in design I would send you my pics, but the lamp shimmering off the bottom of the bath tub is not really gonna cut it :(

Hope the community will post something for you ;)
 
Ok so I've got some christmas cash and am trying to decide now between the spot and the stick. I think I will like the effect of the stick better but I do have some concerns about how to mount it.

What sort of mounting hardware comes with the stick? What kind of heat tolerances does it have, as the tank is open topped with a MH/T5 pendant hanging above it I could possibly screw it into the canopy but the aluminum gets quite warm and I'd hate to fry an expensive moonlight.
 
Hi

I would say 99% of the sticks are mounted to canopies. they come with P clip mounting brakets.

I would suggest spacing the stick off the canopy so it has air circulaion round it and you will be fine.
 
would 1 simu stick be enough for a 60" (read 1.5 meters for the metric-heads) tank or would i need 2? i wouldnt be upset if the very ends of the tank didnt get coverage. just wondering what kind of coverage one of these provides/
 
Here is my Simu guide line

For tanks up to 122cm (4') then one stick is enough.

Over this then you are in the territory for two, however as you say it is up to you if you wish to have full coverage.
 
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