Maxspect LED owners!!!

[SimonSKL]

That's one thing about this hobby: it allows you to mix so many things in single hobby. One of them is the gadgets

But I really would love to see the shadows change position through out the day. That's something I would gladly be willing to pay a great extra.

Ardeus, you add new meaning to "Sky is the limit". I like your idea. But we need to bring these ideas back down to earth as affordable improvements. As you know most of us Maxspect owners can't afford expensive toys:lmao:

 

[Garage1217]

And some of us can afford expensive toys, however choose not to waste any money. That is how we can afford other toys These maxspect units are a super bargain!

 

[Ardeus]

Do you think all of this is that far fetched? The tow main things here are the arch factor (and that's not that difficult to build) and to be able to control each led individually.

Programming this leds would be just like making a movie and let the fixture play it.

 

[Garage1217]

You have to take into account you would need individual drivers for every led which are dimmable / all linked to a controller. The cost would be very very high with the qty of leds we use. Also not understanding the use the the arcs? You could technically aim each led and control it's output if you went with a system like that so no large arcs would be needed, besides the fact they keep the leds very high off the water which is not desirable. Last, you have to consider decent heat dissipation, you would need multiple fans to cool a fixture that large. Also this is way OT for this thread.

 

[Ardeus]

Well, I think I will settle with the maxspect for a couple of years and then place a very bright LCD screen on top of the tank to light it. Even today they cost less than a high end aquarium fixture To control it you just need to buy a DVD player and movie with a loooooong scene with just the sky, shot with a ultra wide lense.

This is an aquarium I set up some years ago:



If only I had remembered to place the Plasma screen on top of the tank instead of behind

BTW, this screen was projecting 3D images inside the tank, the book was a 3D hologram. But as I remember, that screen didn't emit that much light to the tank.

 

[SimonSKL]

Ardeus, please don't let us put you down on your idea. I like your idea and it definitely will put a "Wow" factor to anyone who sees a system like you described. The only thing I am not sure is whether mimicking nature is the ideal way to grow corals.

 

[Ardeus]

Well, I can tell you what I would aim for after getting that arched fixture simulating the Sun, Sky, Moon, clouds, lightnings, etc... I would want to put my tank outside... or at least light it with a system of mirrors

 

[Ycore]

Here's the response I got from Fish-Street concerning the "v2.0" G2. BTW, this V2 is being applied to all Maxspect G2's, not just the 160W:

"Hi

For G2 2.0 is change the IC chips to another brand provides latest and stable controller for the blue and fan control. Since for 1.0 some of the timer is not stable on it, if you require for change a new version, just contact with our support contact

Actually if V1.0 is OK if using over 3 days, just 2.0 is provides better stable timer and fan control
Thanks"

Not much clarification as to what the exact issue is, and combined with the broken english I'm not sure if I understand. I think he's trying to say that if you don't see a problem in 3 days, then you don't have this undefined "stability" issue.

 

[Garage1217]

That is what I figured it was. One or both of my units tends to drift a few seconds a day on the timers. My fan controllers are perfect so not sure what that would fix?

 

[SimonSKL]

Here's the response I got from Fish-Street concerning the "v2.0" G2. BTW, this V2 is being applied to all Maxspect G2's, not just the 160W:

"Hi

For G2 2.0 is change the IC chips to another brand provides latest and stable controller for the blue and fan control. Since for 1.0 some of the timer is not stable on it, if you require for change a new version, just contact with our support contact

Actually if V1.0 is OK if using over 3 days, just 2.0 is provides better stable timer and fan control
Thanks"

Not much clarification as to what the exact issue is, and combined with the broken english I'm not sure if I understand. I think he's trying to say that if you don't see a problem in 3 days, then you don't have this undefined "stability" issue.

I emailed a friend in HK and he confirmed the latest batch used a different PCB and from a different vendor. He never said it was to address issues with timers and fan issues.

 

[Garage1217]

Is it a different psu pcb or is it a different controller card pcb? Photos would be fantasmical.

 

[gambitcobra]

wow im kinda lost but i guess i shouldnt worry because i have the G1 units. But I will say I wish i had control over the 30w leds like the G2 units because I think I would never use them.

 

[Inigma]

From those that already own them, what would you recomend for a 120g- dim 4 x 2 x 2? I want to keep a fully mixed reef with clams, rics, zoas, and lps on bottom and Lps and sps on top half. Maybe a carpet anemone or a rbta in there too.

Thanks in advance

So can any one give me a recommendation?

2 g2 110's? 2 g2 160's? 1 g2 170? Or 1 g2 230?

Sorry to disrupt the discussion of the sun setting. If you want light obstructions and shadows, wouldn't it be easier to set up like a thin clear rotating device kind of like a rotating belt or rotating wheel with blotches of less transperancy/translucentcy to create your cloud moving effect. Then if you had the programmable dimmers on the other led light fixtures, you could simmulate your sun rise and sun set. Then add a fan on a timer to create windy days and a misting system on a drip timer for rainy days.

I think that would be a lot easier than having an led light tracking system on multiple orbits.

 

[SimonSKL]

So can any one give me a recommendation?

2 g2 110's? 2 g2 160's? 1 g2 170? Or 1 g2 230?

Sorry to disrupt the discussion of the sun setting. If you want light obstructions and shadows, wouldn't it be easier to set up like a thin clear rotating device kind of like a rotating belt or rotating wheel with blotches of less transperancy/translucentcy to create your cloud moving effect. Then if you had the programmable dimmers on the other led light fixtures, you could simmulate your sun rise and sun set. Then add a fan on a timer to create windy days and a misting system on a drip timer for rainy days.

I think that would be a lot easier than having an led light tracking system on multiple orbits.

Inigma, for your size of tank, I think 2x G2 160W will be a better choice as each will cover an area of 24'x24" pretty well. The 110 may be a little weak at 24" depth. Both the 170 and 230 will not be wide enough to cover 48" unless you don't mind dark corners

I also like your idea and imagination of rolling clouds, wind, and rain:lolspin:

 

[kdirk]

two 160w

 

[Inigma]

Thanks, I kinda figured that would be the answer, but I had to ask- didn't wanna waste a bunch of money over killing it on the lights. If that's possible....

 

[KMP]

things i'm sure we will all agree on at this point:

- if your tank is 4' long; get 2 of the smaller fixtures.
- if your tank is 20" or more deep; get a fixture which has the 30w LEDs

 

[Faerl]

At 24" what would the par be do you think for a 110w? I've got a seahorse tank I'm looking to add those two and was thinking the 110w might actually be better (not quite as strong as those 30w on the 160). Not doing clams or anything, mostly softies. Bottom would be some zoas, mushrooms, etc.

 

[Wijic]

things i'm sure we will all agree on at this point:

- if your tank is 4' long; get 2 of the smaller fixtures.
- if your tank is 20" or more deep; get a fixture which has the 30w LEDs

You know, I wonder if we're at a point now where we could compose a Maxspect FAQ of the most commonly asked questions (PAR rating, what fixture/number of units for a tank X size, how much flexibility you have in adjusting Kelvins etc etc) that folks can read over if they're looking to learn more about these lights.

Also, Ardeus, if you're looking for genuine, authentic lighting/weather effects, you may do better with solar tubing than any lights at all...

 

[Ardeus]

Wijic: I didn't know about that. Do you know of anyone who has it working to light a reef tank? It looks like a great idea on concept at least. I looked it up, and it seems many people complain that the light is too blue for their homes

Edit: Did a search here and found huge amounts of information about it. Thanks again Wijic.