Light Controller Suggestions?

[DerNaschkatze]

Hi,

My tank is relatively new (7 months). I have been quite lucky, and everything is thriving, including softies, LPS, SPS, and the RTB. Oh, fish too.

Lighting is a dual LED fixture (55 3W) with a mix of blue (blue, royal blue) and white (UV, cool white, neutral white, warm white, deep red, green) using two separate circuits. I have been using the intensity knobs to adjust throughout the day, but that is getting a little annoying.

Does anybody have any suggestions for a controller that would mimic a natural day as best as possible? Hopefully it would include a timer for each and intensity adjusting. I hear Storm is good...?

Thanks,

Andy

 

[mpcart]

Is your LED fixture controllable?

Most people are using an Apex controller.

-Mike

 

[DerNaschkatze]

I'm not actually sure. It's kinda similar to a Radion light. It basically is a big black box that has two plugs.

I was hoping for something that eh.... is basically the bare minimum. Intensity and timing. No bells and whistles for this guy.

 

[mpcart]

Light Controller Suggestions?

Well, I don't have LEDs but I believe the unit would need to be built to use a controller of some sort unless you just want on/off for each channel. In that case you could use a simple outlet timer.

I'm not aware of any "simple", as in cheap, controllers for led channels.

Good luck.

-Mike

 

[Pife]

Unless it is built into your light you are basically stuck with what you have.

 

[kegogut]

Unless it is built into your light you are basically stuck with what you have.

This.

It sounds like you wont be able to control that particular fixture with a controller.

 

[DerNaschkatze]

Hmm... Thats too bad. I guess I'lls stick with manual intensity adjusting and plug in timers....

I suppose thats what I get for buying the hanging box and not building :headwally:.

Thanks guys!

 

[kegogut]

Hmm... Thats too bad. I guess I'lls stick with manual intensity adjusting and plug in timers....

I suppose thats what I get for buying the hanging box and not building :headwally:.

Thanks guys!

Most people just find an intensity they/their tanks are happy with and let it go at that spectrum/intensity for the duration they want.

 

[emcengr]

Storm is a decent controller, and can probably be integrated into your current setup, but will likely require some investigation and some rewiring of your current lights. Not for the faint of heart.

I did just build a light utilizing the storm X and I am happy with it. The much bigger effort is getting the pwm drivers to actually control the current. They are not cheap and then they take a fair amount of time to put together!

That said, my lighting fixture came out great, and I love having the control and flexibility that I get building it myself!

 

[TanksDad13]

Most people just find an intensity they/their tanks are happy with and let it go at that spectrum/intensity for the duration they want.

I have a 28 Gal JBJ Nano and have modified the hood with some additional LEDs, that's what I have to do until I get my big boy tank and get some better lighting.