AI Sol Blues
- Thread starter cbeggs88
- Start date
One would work but two would be ideal. If you don't have SPS you could raise the one fixture and get more coverage but less par. Two would cover the whole tank IMO and allow you to keep more light demanding corals. You can alwayse try one and then go with another....or DIY a larger single fixture for the same cost if your handy with a soldering iron and youtube.
Cheers
Jason
Cheers
Jason
What will you be keeping in the tank? For a SPS dominjant tank, you need one for every 12"x12" section. I think two would be good, but if you aren't keeping very many high light corals one would light the tank. There is a center hotspot that you need to account for.
Mathfreak71
New member
I just put 3 AI blue sols on my 75. I probably could have gotten away with two if I ran them parallel instead of perpendicular. But having three has really given me lots of options. All my corals have loved the change except for recently I think I had them too strong for my open brains and I had to find them slightly shaded areas.
So you could do one but I think you will be happier with 2.
So you could do one but I think you will be happier with 2.
Yea i probably wont be doing any SPS corals, at least for now. So i think i might start with one and move up from there. However i am very interested in making my own lighting fixture, i have been messing around with some Basic Stamp (BS2) to control them. But i think i will need something a little better to control the lights the way i want.
(what kind of fish is that as JAustin's Avatar)
(what kind of fish is that as JAustin's Avatar)
RtReef
New member
I have one SOL over a 3' tank. I changed all optics to 70* and it covers my tank quite well with the rockwork I have done. I keep a few SPS piece with no problem. I also keep a lot of LPS and softies in my tank. No problems and good growth. I'm also not even hitting full power, my highest setting is at 80b and 70w for only 2 hours at peak.
Also DIY kits that I have priced come out more expensive than SOL units with a controller. The only advantage to DIY is not money saving, but rather customization of LED arrangement.
Also DIY kits that I have priced come out more expensive than SOL units with a controller. The only advantage to DIY is not money saving, but rather customization of LED arrangement.
windyridge
Fish Mother
I have one unit 13" AWL with all 70 degree optics, on my 92G corner. I have a few SPS a well as LPS and softies and an RBTA. Stuff is growing like crazy and I am only at 75% ATM. The 70 optics were much better for my corner tank. The stock setup had shadows that I didn't like. Also my light isn't exactly centered due to the constraints of the bracket we used to hold the light so it's off center to the right a little.
Im placing the oder right now. That is a great looking tank by the way
windyridge
Fish Mother
LOL. Thanks Cbeggs88. The middle 4 LED's are 45 degree optics. The rest are 70. This is stock from AI unless you are in Europe where I understand you can order all 70 degree optics. So what you do is you order a set of 4, 70 degree optics from AI. The cost is $25 plus shipping.
Mathfreak71
New member
RtReef what kind of clam is that? How long have you been running the single Sol?
windyridge, how long have you been running one with the LTA? What percentages are you running?
cbeggs88, the US models only come with 45 degree optics. If you want the 70's you have to order them and replace them yourself. Like they said AI sells them for $25 for a four pack.
windyridge, how long have you been running one with the LTA? What percentages are you running?
cbeggs88, the US models only come with 45 degree optics. If you want the 70's you have to order them and replace them yourself. Like they said AI sells them for $25 for a four pack.
windyridge
Fish Mother
Mathfreak, I had the anemone under 4 T5's for 7 months and this setup has been going for about three months now. It hasn't moved since I put it in this tank and is growing faster than I would like! I ramped up from 20% to 75% where I am today since that time. I plan on getting as close to 100% intensity as I can. My main photoperiod is 6 hours at peak intensity.
Mathfreak71
New member
The AI sol box comes with the data cable and AC unit included. But depending on where you buy it from you might get rails or not.
For instance I bought mine from reefgeek.com and it came with three units a controller and a 36" rail kit, which was all for one price.
For instance I bought mine from reefgeek.com and it came with three units a controller and a 36" rail kit, which was all for one price.
