Light Rail, who is using one
- Thread starter trueperc
- Start date
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Yeah, I wouldnt say the center brace would be a huge problem. The light would move over it, but its resting point wouldnt be over it, so its not like it would make a shadow for long.
Note to hahnmeister
Note to hahnmeister
You are correct that an AgraMover is a larger unit than Light Rail but you are incorrect that AgraMover is less suited for salt water applications.
AgraMover is constructed almost entirely from stainless steel, aluminum, and plastic components. The only exceptions are the bearings, bearing shafts, and the motor. The motor is the exact same one that Light Rail uses. So any references to AgraMover being any noisier or quieter than the other product are meaningless. Neither product can make any such claims. Light rail uses galvanized steel for its frame, and drawer rollers for its bearings. Both brands' electrical enclosures are comparably sealed, so neither can claim superiority in this regard.
I am new to aquarium use for light movers, and my first exposure to this as a possible market was when purpetual, one of your respected members, purchased one from me last year. I don't yet know what advantages there are to an AgraMover over a Light Rail for aquarium use, but I can tell you in general terms its advantages.
AgraMover admittedly was designed with the indoor gardener in mind, and no thought whatsoever was put into it for aquarium users as this market never occurred to us at the time. It was designed to carry heavier loads and outperform and outlast Light Rail for this use. Perhaps its larger size and heavier construction create space problems for aquarium use, but from purpetuals pictures I don't yet know.
One possible advantage to AgraMover is its use of standard strut channel as its track. If one visits www.mcmaster.com and types in strut channel into its search engine, they will find pages of brackets, attachments, and mounting configurations that render the user with a wide array of potential mounting ease.
Another advantage of AgraMover is its use of urethane for the tires instead of the neoprene Light Rail uses. This means no black neoprene dust will drop into one's tank as the tires wear. (urethane is so much tougher)
As I mentioned previously, AgraMover's wheel bearings and axle shafts are made of steel. Although the bearings are steel, they are sealed and thus protected from the environment. The shafts are completely enclosed by the wheels and the bearings. If ever they fail, changing is a simple 5 minute job.
I am indeed interested in pursuing the aquarium user market, and welcome suggestions on how AgraMover can make its product better for that purpose.
There is nothing Mickey Mouse about AgraMover. It's not a crude hand made product thrown together in someone's garage, rather it's made by a consortium of firms from plastic plants, stamping plants, then assembled and packaged. It has been around since 1999 (although there have been many improvements incorporated in the design since those early days)
If you desire to know more, please visit agramover.com for more details.
Please understand that I am not here to advertise, nor do I wish to interfere with your free exchange of ideas as to what is better for salt water tank users. I think honest criticism of a product can be just as valuable as endorsements as both serve to improve matters for the consumer and thus I welcome both. I will lurk here from time to time but not participate very much. I am here today primarily to provide the facts in response to some incorrect assumptions.
Note to hahnmeister
You are correct that an AgraMover is a larger unit than Light Rail but you are incorrect that AgraMover is less suited for salt water applications.
AgraMover is constructed almost entirely from stainless steel, aluminum, and plastic components. The only exceptions are the bearings, bearing shafts, and the motor. The motor is the exact same one that Light Rail uses. So any references to AgraMover being any noisier or quieter than the other product are meaningless. Neither product can make any such claims. Light rail uses galvanized steel for its frame, and drawer rollers for its bearings. Both brands' electrical enclosures are comparably sealed, so neither can claim superiority in this regard.
I am new to aquarium use for light movers, and my first exposure to this as a possible market was when purpetual, one of your respected members, purchased one from me last year. I don't yet know what advantages there are to an AgraMover over a Light Rail for aquarium use, but I can tell you in general terms its advantages.
AgraMover admittedly was designed with the indoor gardener in mind, and no thought whatsoever was put into it for aquarium users as this market never occurred to us at the time. It was designed to carry heavier loads and outperform and outlast Light Rail for this use. Perhaps its larger size and heavier construction create space problems for aquarium use, but from purpetuals pictures I don't yet know.
One possible advantage to AgraMover is its use of standard strut channel as its track. If one visits www.mcmaster.com and types in strut channel into its search engine, they will find pages of brackets, attachments, and mounting configurations that render the user with a wide array of potential mounting ease.
Another advantage of AgraMover is its use of urethane for the tires instead of the neoprene Light Rail uses. This means no black neoprene dust will drop into one's tank as the tires wear. (urethane is so much tougher)
As I mentioned previously, AgraMover's wheel bearings and axle shafts are made of steel. Although the bearings are steel, they are sealed and thus protected from the environment. The shafts are completely enclosed by the wheels and the bearings. If ever they fail, changing is a simple 5 minute job.
I am indeed interested in pursuing the aquarium user market, and welcome suggestions on how AgraMover can make its product better for that purpose.
There is nothing Mickey Mouse about AgraMover. It's not a crude hand made product thrown together in someone's garage, rather it's made by a consortium of firms from plastic plants, stamping plants, then assembled and packaged. It has been around since 1999 (although there have been many improvements incorporated in the design since those early days)
If you desire to know more, please visit agramover.com for more details.
Please understand that I am not here to advertise, nor do I wish to interfere with your free exchange of ideas as to what is better for salt water tank users. I think honest criticism of a product can be just as valuable as endorsements as both serve to improve matters for the consumer and thus I welcome both. I will lurk here from time to time but not participate very much. I am here today primarily to provide the facts in response to some incorrect assumptions.
aninjaatemyshoe
New member
Umm, AgraMover I realize that your intentions may not be self-serving, but there a rather strict rules against people promoting their businesses on RC. The fact is that regular people are allowed to give their opinions of products on this website while people clearly affiliated with a certain product are not. I wouldn't be suprized if your post gets removed.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Well thank you for clarification... like I said, I couldnt comment about exacts, only go on a hunch.
I hope they don't, but if they do I can certainly understand. I'm just trying to end the myths I've seen in this thread and provide a fair response. I see you're from Akron. I plan on moving there soon. I found a place on Home Avenue near Howe.
By the way, I really enjoyed the clever design that fellow used in his home made light mover.
Thanks...
By the way, I really enjoyed the clever design that fellow used in his home made light mover.
Thanks...
GTR
Active member
AM... Thanks for the post. I think you're able to correct any incorrect statements made about the product. So IMO if you keep it at that you'll be ok.
I would like to state I've been using your product on a prop system and couldn't be happier. I'm in need of another mover but need to move a fixture that's 4' long so I'll need some assistance. It will be moving side to side and not the length of the fixture. I'll PM you the particulars if you have that RC feature turned on.
Thanks... SteveU
I would like to state I've been using your product on a prop system and couldn't be happier. I'm in need of another mover but need to move a fixture that's 4' long so I'll need some assistance. It will be moving side to side and not the length of the fixture. I'll PM you the particulars if you have that RC feature turned on.
Thanks... SteveU
to GTrestoration
to GTrestoration
I responded to your RC but it said your mailbox is full and you won't be receiving the same. From what it sounded like, you just need a bracket and I had an idea in mind. I think you have my email address, and if not, just look on the back page of your instruction leaflet for my phone number. I'll be happy to talk you through it.
Glad you like the mover! That makes me feel very good.
to GTrestoration
I responded to your RC but it said your mailbox is full and you won't be receiving the same. From what it sounded like, you just need a bracket and I had an idea in mind. I think you have my email address, and if not, just look on the back page of your instruction leaflet for my phone number. I'll be happy to talk you through it.
Glad you like the mover! That makes me feel very good.
Yes. I use a LR3.5 on a 6' tank. I have a single 400W bulb in a RO2 retrofit (deliberately to spill a little light, although I have seriously considered a lumenmax lately). I ran it for a while on its own, but my anemone wasn't a fan of being in the dark every couple of minutes - I added a pair of overdriven T5's (5') to light the whole tank, and everything is now responding well. 620W of light (actually measured by kilawatt) on a 180, and everything seems to be doing well (still pretty new though, so time will tell). I've tried putting mushrooms right near the top of the tank next to some high light SPS with no ill effects, so there may well be something to the idea that intermittent lighting doesn't burn like regular lighting. Or maybe my mushrooms are just tough as old boots.
Dave
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Another member is observing the same with his frag tanks where he started using rails. He can put lower light frags right up next to the higher light stuff... like a low-light pipe-organ right next to a stag, and both do well.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
how wide?
Stoneyscoral
New member
My tank with light mover has been doing great. I don't have any acropora in it yet but my monti's, challices, ect... are happy.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Id use dual 250wattDE halides on an 8' span like that, spaced 4' apart so they move back and forth about 3' (or spaced 3' and travel only 2' back and forth... up to you to tinker depending on how much light you want the ends to get). All you need is one light rail, but you will have to mount the second pendant on a 'trolley' which gets conntected to the drive unit with a rod.
customcolor
New member
im almost thinking of puting a light rail on my 125 with t5s. but here is the catch. im making the rail and its only like 1.5"tall. i have one running on my frag tank with a 70watt halide (shallow frag tank) and to tell you the truth i havent seen those frags happer than what they are now! but the only thing that sucks about my design is that you have no choice to when you want them to stop besides how long the mover is 
but its really slow! it takes over 10 min (havent realy timed it yet, seems longer) just to travel 32" and back. here is another plus, i built it for $50. when i make another one (soon) i will do a diy tread on it.
but its really slow! it takes over 10 min (havent realy timed it yet, seems longer) just to travel 32" and back. here is another plus, i built it for $50. when i make another one (soon) i will do a diy tread on it.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
That would be pretty cool to see some DIY light rails.
