cerreta
Premium Member
Ah, fair question. I read that statement yoiu are referring to and it does need clarification.
The new AI module has intensity claimed to compare of that of a 400 watt MH system. However, the spread spectrum of the new AI module is also claimed to be much greater than the older AI module version.
LED is still far off from matching the spread spectrum of a MH system.
Mmckibben, I do not know the lens angle. The specs on the AI website does claim 40 degree angle. I'm not an expert in this area. However, I can tell you that light design is very complicated. You can't just assume that a 120 degree angle Cree LED with no lens will outperform the unit you will build. Because, if you truly get a larger spread with no lens, then you will loose higher intensity levels directly under the LED.
The only way to know how your LED system performs compared to that of the AI module is to perform direct comparisons with LUX and or PAR recordings.
When you buy a low cost system like Maxspect or build your own, you pay less, but it is untested, unproven technology. The hobbiest thinks they get such a great deal, because they built it (or bought a cheap Maxpect system) but you never test the performance.
When you buy an AI system. You pay more but you get the proven technology that has been tested with 20 lenses, different LED configurations, specific spacing patterns, etc. You get an item out of box that will perform as expected. You can not expect your system of the Maxspect to have the same level of performance. And, you still can't controll it because it is not compatiable with other controllers.
Hey, i am the consumate tweeker and I invest tons of money in equipment to test and play. This is the part of the hobby I enjoy the most. So, if you choose to build your own, and want it tested, send it to me. I own the PAR and LUX meters and the AI light. I would be happy and very curious to measure and report the performance of your DIY and the Maxspect system.
Another noteworthy point. The AI uses more white than blue LEDs for a reason. I called Chris and discussed it with him over a year ago. In order to get maximum light intensisty, white LEDs are used. Blue LEDs give color, but lack the intensity. AIs primary focus was to offer an LED system that matched the output performance of a 250watt MH system. That is what they built.
Here is what you get. To get the max output, you must run White at 100% and blue at 100%. But the color of the tank is very yellow. About that of a 10K MH system. I hate that color. I like the 20k look so corals glow. In order to get that color, I run white at 30% and blue at 100%. The trade off is light intensity. Now, the system output is much less, about that of a 150watt MH system. There are ways to overcome this, by moving module closer to the water. This is great because no heat transfer. With MH you cna't do it as easily. (Look at the earlier parts of this thread to see the PAR and LUX comparisons)
Again, it is easy to question why you need a lens on a 120 degree cree LED. Especialy if the lens narrows the spread to 40 degrees, but the answer lies in the performance testing. You buy an AI module and trust them to give you the best performance. If you just slap LEDs in a board, it will look great in the tank, no question, but corals are not likely to grow, and you really do not know the performance characteristics of the system you built.
Kibben, if you wnat to learn and know more, I highly encourage that you call Chris at AI and ask him about the performance and testing of the modules. I think you will learn as I have that he is a real geek. And I trust that what he has labored to build is worth the price!
This is why I like the products produced by Tunze, Profilux, AI, and a few other companies. They spend a ton of money in research and development, unlike the competitors that offer products for less, but don't really care how or why they perform the way that they do. They are also less willing to correct performance errors pointed out by their customers.
Saving $150 on a DIY system is not worth the loss of $1000 in corals in my opinion.
