Apollo Reef LED SolarBlast Dimable Review

We've dismissed it and laid out the facts so let's just see pictures of everyone's tanks:)

I'm going to try to learn some more about picture taking so I can finally post some better pictures of the state of my corals. I put lights on tank on 5/23 and have been slowly ramping my lighting up and am currently at 80% on whites and 90% on blues/UVs. I like a little more of a blue look on the lights and in the halide world liked a Pheonix 14k look with T5 supplementation. With having the two channels, I'm able to get the color I want with keeping PAR numbers high.
 
Dustin1300 said:
We've dismissed it and laid out the facts so let's just see pictures of everyone's tanks:)

I'm going to try to learn some more about picture taking so I can finally post some better pictures of the state of my corals. I put lights on tank on 5/23 and have been slowly ramping my lighting up and am currently at 80% on whites and 90% on blues/UVs. I like a little more of a blue look on the lights and in the halide world liked a Pheonix 14k look with T5 supplementation. With having the two channels, I'm able to get the color I want with keeping PAR numbers high.
Click to expand...

I just bought the Apollo fixture myself. I was debating about purchasing it for awhile, especially during the sale, and I'd like to do an actual comparison over a few other fixtures I've tried. I apologized to Joe and would like to make up for it with actual experience with the light. He was very knowledgeable, and spot on about a lot of things. You'll be getting plenty of tank shots once I install it.

How has the growth been so far? Your PAR measurements and updates on your experience with the light are very helpful.

I believe that having UVs holds the key in keeping some colors like Red in Acans vivid compared to a fixture with just Blue and White leds. What do you think of them?
 
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bhazard451 said:
How has the growth been so far? I'm considering picking up an Apollo myself to try out for my tank with the Apex. Your PAR measurements and updates on your experience with the light are very helpful.

I believe that having UVs holds the key in keeping some colors like Red in Acans vivid compared to a fixture with just Blue and White leds. What do you think of them?
Click to expand...

Growth has been good but I had some new rock that was leaching phosphates so my phosphate crept up to about 9 ppm and I'd guess growth was a little stunned and coloration went down a bit. Since I've now got phosphate down below 3 ppm seems I'm getting better growth and coloration coming back around:dance:

As far as the UVs, that's part of the spectrum that the blue/white LEDs don't really cover well but the Apollo has the 403 NM UV which is to help bring out some of the purple/violets. If you go below 400 NM on a UV your getting into dangerous territory IMO. Since I cannot control the UVs separately, I cannot honestly say that they bring out the purples more...
 
Can't wait to see the FTS.. Building a 72x30x30.. And I might go with these but still doing a little research.. How many do u think I will need to cover the 6ft
 
rudyr03 said:
Can't wait to see the FTS.. Building a 72x30x30.. And I might go with these but still doing a little research.. How many do u think I will need to cover the 6ft
Click to expand...

I'd say 3. I think two would be giving you some low light in some areas. The spread I tested on the graphs was 24"X36" so that gives you a better idea of what type of PAR you could expect on your footprint. I did lots of research and this was the best when it comes to price/performance factor. The AIs is a comparable fixture and you'd need 2 AIs to one Apollo IMO due to the tighter spread the AIs provide.
 
rudyr03 said:
So it would be 3 and one apex module if I go with the dimmable version correct
Click to expand...

If you already have an Apex the base unit has two spots for control up to 4 channels out of the box. The VDM module is just to add additional channel control if needed. According to Apex, they can control up to 6 lights/dimmers on one port. It's a win/win if you don't already have a controller as it's one of the nicest additions to a tank!

If you don't have a controller or the money to invest into one, Apollo offers a dimming card with and without an RJ-45 connection to connect to controller. Dimming card and the details from Apollo:

There are four separate dimming channels on the card that can be individually programmed. We have tested each channel to control up to 3 lights with no issues blues and whites independently!
Click to expand...

Dimming is also not mandatory so if you don't want or need that....SolarBlast non-dim on sale for $299.00.
 
I have two dimmable units over a 72x18x24 and there is good coverage. There are lower light areas on the ends but thats a great place to put lower light corals like zoas and LPS. These lights are very strong with the 90 degree optics so three fixtures over 72" will be great for even spread and SPS but you will not have many areas for low light corals unless you create shade with rock shelves or plating SPS.

There is also the matter of the center brace. If you use three fixtures, one will have to go over the center brace so there will still be a shaded area in the center from the brace shadow.

Three fixtures are ideal over 72" for end-to-end coverage for high light demand SPS.
Two fixtures are good for mixed reef where some low light areas are needed.

There is also the matter of how high you hang the light over the water.
 
P6033297.jpg

this is only 3 of the non dimmables the 4th will be here monday 8ft. tank
 
Nice .. How are the corals reacting and how high do you have it off the water.. Watts the wattage on those again
 
rudyr03 said:
Nice .. How are the corals reacting and how high do you have it off the water.. Watts the wattage on those again
Click to expand...
thanks,the corals are doing well i should mention its very important to acclimate the corals to these lights slowly.they are more intense than you think they are 120watts each.i started with them 8 inches above the water line thought the corals were getting too much light so i raised them too 12in. that was to high moved them to 10in today.i posted coral pics in this thread check em out.:thumbsup:
 
My Apollo light shipped today. I should have it by Wednesday. I'll post pics and thoughts as soon as I can.

I would like to take PAR measurements to compare the true Bridgelux leds in these compared to the generic chinese ones, to show how much more light the Apollo puts out in comparison. Does anyone know where I can rent or buy a PAR meter at a decent price for a week or so?
 
I got mine the day that they came out. I have it over a 60 cube. It fills the tank nicely with light. Great for sps and lps. Does anyone else have notice that the light never fully turns off unless power is cut to them?
 
bhazard451 said:
My Apollo light shipped today. I should have it by Wednesday. I'll post pics and thoughts as soon as I can.

I would like to take PAR measurements to compare the true Bridgelux leds in these compared to the generic chinese ones, to show how much more light the Apollo puts out in comparison. Does anyone know where I can rent or buy a PAR meter at a decent price for a week or so?
Click to expand...

I would check with your local club? Not sure on your location but my club has a meter that I've had for about a month's time. I'd love to have a PAR meter but can't justify it right now as I've got other things to spend my money on.:hmm5:
 
octopus737 said:
I got mine the day that they came out. I have it over a 60 cube. It fills the tank nicely with light. Great for sps and lps. Does anyone else have notice that the light never fully turns off unless power is cut to them?
Click to expand...

Can you further elaborate? The power plugs need to be on an controllable outlet/timer as the fans are ran when one of the two channels is powered on. Dimming only controls a blue/uv channel and the other is whites.
 
rudyr03 said:
Nice.. Feel free to post up FTS!! .. And I'll be waiting for your pic hazard..
Click to expand...

My light will be a little "unique" compared to the other SolarBlasts. That's all I can say right now. I promised not to reveal why until I get it and post pics, or until it is announced officially.
 
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