Solaris lights

[SWSaltwater]

The power supplies are a bit big IMO, but they are what makes them so efficient on the energy. I hope they work on downsizing them a bit or combining to one supply.

 

[McCrary]

The Solaris is very cool. I am interested to see how well the light penetrates on a tank that is 30" deep. The light doesn't seem to be as intense as metal halides, but it has that nice actinic pop and really illuminates the corals well. Not to mention that it can be programmed for different intensity schemes. If I had a few grand laying around I would pick one up in an instant.

 

[SWSaltwater]

So far all clams and coral on the sand bed are doing better then they did in the MH tank. PFO said it would be fine at 32" deep. Even the cheap 1 watt moon light LEDs that current sells penetrates awesome in a deep tank.

 

[SWSaltwater]

Their official word is: The maximum tank depth for soft corals should be around 24" deep. The maximum tank depth for hard corals and SPS should be around 18".

I see softies and clams doing fine at 30 inches. Time will tell.

 

[cerreta]

I saw the Solaris today too. Very cool. What impressed me the most is the color. It has great balance between cool and warm color. Furthermore, it brought out intense colors in certain corals. Specifically, the zoanthid skirts radiate with brilliance which I have only seen occur with 14k or 20k MH. The T5 and VHO just don't have the power to cause this shocking color appearance.

The shimmer effect is minimal but may be better if there is more surface agitation. I too am concerned about the depth. The clams looked ok on the bottom, but they were not fully open with massive mantle expansion like clams tend to do. May just have been a timing issue, but worth noting.

Rob, it seems strange to me that a manufacturer would tell you that the light is fine in a 33" deep tank, but state the Solaris is as not suitable for deeper tanks on their website.

 

[SWSaltwater]

They are probably just being safe in writing, or simply gave me a line to sell 9000 in lights.........who knows these days.

 

[cerreta]

oh btw, I saw the foam separation. That is :wildone:

I have not seen it do this before. You can just drain the tank and run another bead up the seams.

 

[SWSaltwater]

I did think of doing that for a split second, I have decided to let coraline fill it in.

 

[cerreta]

Hey, you can paint a 3" strip of black paint on each side of the back glass, that will help alot. You won't be able to see through the gap and see your back door.

 

[SWSaltwater]

If anyone has a light meter that can be used underwater I would like to see if they can drop by for some tests at various depths in the tank.

Updated resized Pics from Gallery.

 

[cerreta]

Rob, I have the immersion probe too.

 

[SWSaltwater]

Does it measure PAR or LUX? PFO is loaning me a PAR meter to test the tank.

 

[cerreta]

its the same meter I left but with a different probe.

That is cool that PFO will loan it to you.

 

[McCrary]

I can't wait to see the long term growth and coloration with the LED system. I won't be getting one anytime soon, but I can dream.