Bought new led light fixture from China.

[Rikster71]

Brilliant another light pattern to try. Thanks

Stej, to help you understand how I got to my settings at the peak time. The first thing I did was worked out the best visual spectrum for my tastes starting at 50% on each channel and then adjusted using manual mode each channel until I found my preference.

then I had to do some guess work, basically without the aid of a par meter I went with the fact that most people say Cree are 40% more effective and also my optics on my old LED's were more focussed so I also allowed for that, finally I had to take into account that my previous lights had absolutely no dimming, two channels either on or off, this is stil where my guess work could all fail so I have decided to ignore it for the moment.

What that left me with was that my old lights were potentially putting out 144 wt of output (yes I know par is not watts, but got to start somewhere) so the calculation you don't see actually creates all of the values based on my preferences that I way I maintain my preferred spectrum.

For example the settings either side of peak have a formula to establish that setting as 90% of peak, I based this from looking at average daylight patterns over the great barrier reef.

the biggest likely flaw in it all, is the fact that my previous photo period had 8hrs of peak (blue and white on) where as now I have 4hrs, but so far the corals seem to be responding well, and as I increase it over the next few weeks I guess I will really know.

On a side note I will have a Par meter to test in a few weeks, it will be interesting to see what readings I get given my braoder use of 90 and 120 optics, I will also put my old light up and test it as well for comparison.

 

[jimnchal]

Anyone know if it is possible to modify and control the light with an apex?

 

[SteJ]

Thanks Rikster. Nice transition through the day so far. I have inserted an extra value for each channel early in the day to give me light around 10am. But other than that I am liking. Kind of like trying somebody else's recipe which is always a nice thing to do.

 

[Sharkman999]

Hi rinkster, so looking at your timings it looks like apart from moonlight everything is off by 6 ish in the evening?

 

[Sharkman999]

Sorry just noticed one and two have intensity..........thought it looked like an early finish!!

 

[CrazyLobster]

anyone know if it is possible to modify and control the light with an apex?

+1

 

[Gillguy]

+1

Anyone know if it is possible to modify and control the light with an apex?

No not yet. Someone that knows electronics would have to design a cable. Or Apex might eventually if the light continues to gain popularity.

 

[Gillguy]

I hope the new controller has more time settings heres what i got from kevin when asking him


Yes, we are about to release the upgraded controller with the main new features as bellow:

*

1. Made with all aluminum* from previous iron, looks more solid and feel better to operate

2. The biggest upgrade :Original 1 DIY*setting to 3* DIY setting can applied to different time period*or to switch anytime for customers

3. Add Strong*Cloud and Flash mode (There is ON/ OFF, off is the normal cloud or flash)*, when one circle is done will automatically back to sunrise/sunset mode.

*

It*will be*compatible with the Malibu S*, but not released officially since still in last testing .

I also confirmed with Kevin that the new controller will be released in August. It will replace the present one. The main difference is that it will have 3 DIY modes instead of one. That's a nice feature cause for viewing purposes you could have 3 different settings and switch between them without re-programing. Especially nice if your work schedule does not allow for viewing you could change it easily and also for the weekends.

The other nice feature is that they have incorporated the cloud and flash mode into the sunrise/sunset mode. The clouds and flash can be programmed to turn on and off and then the light switches automatically back to sunrise/sunset. This however would have been better if they have done it for the DIY mode which is what 90% of us use. Kevin said that they tried but couldn't in time for production. But for people that will use sunrise/sunset mode it's a nice feature.

 

[Rikster71]

Thanks Rikster. Nice transition through the day so far. I have inserted an extra value for each channel early in the day to give me light around 10am. But other than that I am liking. Kind of like trying somebody else's recipe which is always a nice thing to do.

Thanks SteJ, I really like it is working well but I have done the same for the evening just from an aesthetics point of view, wanted less of the whitish light between 8pm and 10pm before the moonlighting so to speak comes on for the hour.

Sorry just noticed one and two have intensity..........thought it looked like an early finish!!

LOL, yeah even when I look at the settings they catch me out every now and then.

 

[Rikster71]

I also confirmed with Kevin that the new controller will be released in August. It will replace the present one. The main difference is that it will have 3 DIY modes instead of one. That's a nice feature cause for viewing purposes you could have 3 different settings and switch between them without re-programing. Especially nice if your work schedule does not allow for viewing you could change it easily and also for the weekends.

The other nice feature is that they have incorporated the cloud and flash mode into the sunrise/sunset mode. The clouds and flash can be programmed to turn on and off and then the light switches automatically back to sunrise/sunset. This however would have been better if they have done it for the DIY mode which is what 90% of us use. Kevin said that they tried but couldn't in time for production. But for people that will use sunrise/sunset mode it's a nice feature.

why didn't they just allow us to edit sunrise mode, one simple programming change and then it's solved, ah well guess we should as the most active user group put a bit of a poll together. I agree though if I could put clound and flash mode into DIY than that would be fun, would have DIY mode 2 as exact copy except run some clouds though the day lol and a lightining storm and 8pm lol, wonder if the fish would start to hide at 7.55 after a while????

 

[buck2530]

I just heard back from kevin and a new controller is still in its final testing but will be released soon and is compatable with the s series lights on another note if you have a s400 can you post if your power units fan runs constantly even when light is off ive been in contact with kevin which he says is normal for the s400 not to turn off due to the high power but it makes no sense for it to be blowing all night even with the light off . I have read threw the thread and saw a couple other people with a s400 whos power supply only kicks on when the light hits a certain percentage any feed back is appreciated so i can see if it is just mine thanks fellas. Rafael

Mine runs whenever there is power running to the power unit. I'm actually thinking of running the whole unit on a timer just to cut power to the unit through the night so that the fan isn't running all night.

 

[rlantigua]

I have tried Cloud mode and Flash mode. Are the lights suppose to flash or something?

 

[djmicl]

Gillguy what percentage have you gotten on your channel 1 and 3 blues? And channel 2 white?

 

[Gillguy]

Gillguy what percentage have you gotten on your channel 1 and 3 blues? And channel 2 white?

Channel 1 is at 100%
Channel 2 is at 80%
Channel 3 is at 100%
Channel 4 is at 85%

 

[Rikster71]

Channel 1 is at 100%
Channel 2 is at 80%
Channel 3 is at 100%
Channel 4 is at 85%

must be due for some new photos :thumbsup:

 

[Gillguy]

must be due for some new photos :thumbsup:

I've had the Ledzeal unit now for approximately 10 months. Everything is working great on the unit. The tank has never been better. All corals are growing and great color. Full disclosure, my intention all along was to use the unit and get rid of t T-5's. My previous setup was four T-5's and 40 3watt DIY leds. Growth was OK and everything stayed alive. Once I got this Ledzeal unit I removed my DIY leds, removed one T-5 and reduced the time the T-5's were on gradually from 10 hours to eventually 2 hours. I then gradually increased the Ledzeal percentage on all channels weekly. Started at 45% on blues and 35% on whites. Now after 10 months the blues are at 100% and whites at 80% and the ledzeal light is on for 12 hours. I still use the 3 T-5's for 2 hours. I don't think this makes a big difference but as I reduced the T-5's and got to 2 hours my corals were at their best so I left them. I think when it's time to change the bulbs I'll just take them off. My corals have responded very well to the Ledzeal unit. Here is an example of growth on a small acro frag. First pic was taken in Oct. 2013 and the second pic is today 10 months later. The pictures don't show the truth. The frag actually has several branches of an inch long and the base has completely encrusted. Take a look.

 

[Rikster71]

I've had the Ledzeal unit now for approximately 10 months. Everything is working great on the unit. The tank has never been better. All corals are growing and great color. Full disclosure, my intention all along was to use the unit and get rid of t T-5's. My previous setup was four T-5's and 40 3watt DIY leds. Growth was OK and everything stayed alive. Once I got this Ledzeal unit I removed my DIY leds, removed one T-5 and reduced the time the T-5's were on gradually from 10 hours to eventually 2 hours. I then gradually increased the Ledzeal percentage on all channels weekly. Started at 45% on blues and 35% on whites. Now after 10 months the blues are at 100% and whites at 80% and the ledzeal light is on for 12 hours. I still use the 3 T-5's for 2 hours. I don't think this makes a big difference but as I reduced the T-5's and got to 2 hours my corals were at their best so I left them. I think when it's time to change the bulbs I'll just take them off. My corals have responded very well to the Ledzeal unit. Here is an example of growth on a small acro frag. First pic was taken in Oct. 2013 and the second pic is today 10 months later. The pictures don't show the truth. The frag actually has several branches of an inch long and the base has completely encrusted. Take a look.

A success story by anyone's qualification, thanks Gillguy. :beer:

 

[djmicl]

Awesome!!

 

[TWISTER702]

So all of the differ lay outs here I am so confused, I have a 200 gallon tank that is 84 x 24 x 24. I talked to keven and it looks like my best option is two s200 fixture here is the layout he said they used and what would you change on it?


also what optics would you use, lights can be mounted 12' above water line or sat on top of the canopy at 21' above the water line, do I need two controllers to work both lights or will one controller work for both sets.

 

[Owensue]

do I need two controllers to work both lights or will one controller work for both sets.

One controller will do both lights, but remember the control connector input is on the side of the light, so space has to be left for the cable.

The lighting layout is the same as mine, and Gillguy who started this thread and many others. I'm still waiting for mine (fingers crossed tomorrow is the day) so I have no comment yet.

As for optics, with it raised quite high you may want to go with 90's but get some 120's spare to adjust if desired. I have a 30" tall tank and went with 60's and spare 90's (red green have 90's to start with spare 120's)

I'm sure others with the lights already will offer you some good insight.