AI SOL leds

[CEB125]

Im going to need lighting for my new tank when i get it set up and i have looked at the AI SOL could anybody tell me how many it would take for a 80x30x27 or make suggestions on leds that may be better?

 

[Amdeus]

Rule of thumb one per foot is what AI say.

 

[bruce 1]

But it takes more according to some. I think you will need, 12 to do it right.

 

[mobyich]

It also depends on the way you run them across you're tank. If you ran them the long way you could go with less but you would have to hang them a bit higher then if you were to run them side by side.

 

[windyridge]

You can get more spread by changing out the 4, 45 degree optics with 4, 70 degree optics too. Just another option and maybe save you another module. Less depth penetration tho'.

 

[alsteezy1st]

I think about 8 total, 2 rows of four ran parallel to the tank would work. Or just run a row of 7 perpendicular to the tank.

 

[gatorrx98]

I think about 8 total, 2 rows of four ran parallel to the tank would work. Or just run a row of 7 perpendicular to the tank.

I intend to run 8 (2 rows of 4 14" above the water line) across my new 96x32x24 build. I ran 3 longways across my 180 at 14 inches above the water line and had good light spread without changing the optics. Careful placement of your SPS will definitely allow you to get away with 8. 7 run longways may not work due to your front to back width of 30". Good luck.

 

[CEB125]

Any other brands i should look at?

 

[bruce 1]

the china black box ones are good for the money. But if you have unlimited funds The AI are great!

 

[chasekwe]

I use these units.

30" is indeed wide, I'd still run a single row down the middle.


An AI unit is 1' long. If you raise it a reasonable amount over the water surface you'll still get excellent par 4-6" from either end of the fixture. You're talking 20-24" of light coverage strong enough to easily grow high light demand corals like SPS.

If you're like me, and don't want much light on the glass surfaces I consider 30" (maybe 28") an almost optimal width for running a single row of AI fixtures. In fact my next tank, which I've already started ordering equipment for, is 72x30x26 and I'll be running a single row of AI SOL Blues as well. So you know I'm not blowing smoke.

Keeping my theme of not liking high light on my glass I'll run only 5 fixtures on my 6' tank. I probably would run 5 on yours as well, yes five, but you could go 6 or even 7.

If you absolutely must have nothing but high light zone over every inch of your tank then that's when you could start thinking 8+.

 

[Guillaume]

I use these units.

30" is indeed wide, I'd still run a single row down the middle.


An AI unit is 1' long. If you raise it a reasonable amount over the water surface you'll still get excellent par 4-6" from either end of the fixture. You're talking 20-24" of light coverage strong enough to easily grow high light demand corals like SPS.

If you're like me, and don't want much light on the glass surfaces I consider 30" (maybe 28") an almost optimal width for running a single row of AI fixtures. In fact my next tank, which I've already started ordering equipment for, is 72x30x26 and I'll be running a single row of AI SOL Blues as well. So you know I'm not blowing smoke.

Keeping my theme of not liking high light on my glass I'll run only 5 fixtures on my 6' tank. I probably would run 5 on yours as well, yes five, but you could go 6 or even 7.

If you absolutely must have nothing but high light zone over every inch of your tank then that's when you could start thinking 8+.

Interesting thread! Looking at AI myself too over a 27" wide.
What do you mean by "a reasonable amount over the water surface" ?
While talking of a 28" optimal for a "single row", do you mean perpendicular or parallel to the tank?

Thanks all!

G

 

[bruce 1]

Here is some links to the Maxspect they look nice also.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2024621&highlight=maxspect+mazarra

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1817995&highlight=maxspect+mazarra

 

[Amdeus]

+1 i just got maxspect and compared to the ai sol i like it more. Also plus on being able to change each optic is nice.

 

[bruce 1]

I am thinking about these as well, so you would buy them again?

 

[mori]

why must I have such irregular tank shape,, lol i was hoping someone here had similar dimmensions to mine . to see what i would need led wise. but no one has my shape...

48x18x31- 110H , here i was thinking 2 modules would do from AI.. now i think im sooo wrong, maybe i will see if i can find me some info on davids nanobox

 

[chasekwe]

mori, you will need 2 for decent coverage with dark spots in the middle. 3 for essentially full coverage.


gonna be running them longwise with a 2 configuration setup. I've done this with a 48x18x24. I'm not sure exactly how you'd best run them if you use more than 2...

 

[CEB125]

I may start with five and see how it goes.