STORMS AND LIGHTNING WITH LEDS...questions.

[BIGG D]

There are a lot of threads on this but I cant seem to zero in on the specific questions I have...so I thought I would just put it out there.

Can this effect be achieved with ANY LED system?
If not, what do I need to be looking for.

What about the controller that pulls this off?
I see a lot of threads with Apex controllers and a "storm mode".

Any other options?


Any guidance appreciated.

 

[sirreal63]

You have to decide what the real need is, is it for you or the corals? The corals couldn't care less and the possible negative effect on the stress level of the fish makes me wonder why any one would want to do this.

 

[bigloggerhead]

I think he's already decided he wants the feature.

Personally, I know its a hot button issue with people on this site but I think the thunderstorm feature is cool. Yes, I know it does nothing beneficial to my corals or fish. That being said, I'm pretty sure chocolate cake does nothing to help my figure but man I sure love it.

 

[sirreal63]

Lol, well chocolate has some real and beneficial health benefits, ones that don't scare the crap out of anything. All fun aside, just because we can doesn't mean we should, at least not without taking into account all off the potential issues. I think it a cool thing but not beneficial, I don't see how and watching my Yellow Tang have a heart attack would be very pleasant.

 

[bigloggerhead]

Well, I understand what you're saying but maybe you've seen the negative effects firsthand. I haven't. In fact, I've never read any first hand accounts of anything like that happening with a thunderstorm feature. I watched a ton of videos on YouTube and never once noticed the fish acting as if they were bothered by the lightning effect.

I have however read a lot of conjecture over the negative effects of this feature. Not saying that's what you're doing. I'm just still skeptical whether the effects affect tank inhabitants negatively.

Didn't mean to highjack.

BiggD, I personally am not sure whether or not a controller will enable you to use this feature on any system. I do know that Aqua Illuminations and EcoTech fixtures have this feature. They are pricey but from what I've been able to gather they are nice fixtures.

 

[Stolireef]

I just want to know if the fish can hear the thunder. I spent a fortune hooking up my stereo to my light system. Sorry, couldn't resist.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

 

[sirreal63]

My fish seem to prefer heavy metal and try to jump when there is country on. One of the many reasons country is not allowed in my house.

I have never seen anything that shows a storm feature has any benefit, but would love to read something that does show that, something that didn't come from a mfg. I do believe in creating times of higher flow to mimic storms, but there are many skittish fish, some who are startled with just the lights coming on, even though it does it the same time every day. I won't say it is good or bad, just an unknown that doesn't really seem necessary. There are more than enough placebo products available that do little more than take money from reefers.

 

[markaren]

I think this is what you are looking for.

http://ecotechmarine.com/media-gallery/video/radion-xr30w-basic-mode-tutorial/

 

[bigloggerhead]

Well let's face it, many of the products in this hobby probably benefit the consumer more than the organism it was designed for. I just wonder why whenever the thunderstorm feature is brought up people begin saying its harmful without any real evidence. My fish get startled when kids point run up to the tank and put their greasy little fingers all over the glass. I know that scares them. Still have yet to see actual real world experience of fish being harmed by this feature. I personally think its cool. I do not believe it does anything beneficial other than making you or your friends go "OOOOOOH!" and "AAAAAAHHH!" But IF it doesn't hurt my fish or corals I don't see the harm.

BiggD, I couldn't find a thunderstorm feature on the Apex controller. I would think you're system would have to support dimming first of all. I found another system that has the feature. Its the TMC Aqua Ray. Its built into the controller. Hope this helps.

 

[Mekanic]

I know the Radion, the AI SOL, and the Reeftech units offer the storm feature.

For controllers I believe the Profilux can be programmed to do it (saw a video of it on a DIY fixture)

But I am a proponent of banning all thunderstorms over coral reefs, and demand the technology for a giant fan to blow hurricanes away from these locations is imperative.

 

[Stolireef]

My fish seem to prefer heavy metal and try to jump when there is country on. One of the many reasons country is not allowed in my house.

I have never seen anything that shows a storm feature has any benefit, but would love to read something that does show that, something that didn't come from a mfg. I do believe in creating times of higher flow to mimic storms, but there are many skittish fish, some who are startled with just the lights coming on, even though it does it the same time every day. I won't say it is good or bad, just an unknown that doesn't really seem necessary. There are more than enough placebo products available that do little more than take money from reefers.

Try a bit of Jazz. The fish get very laid back and my cleaner shrimp start playing the air saxiphone.

 

[kentuckyclowns]

I believe digital aquatics has a storm feature but you would have to purchase the ALC (advanced light controller) module to control the lights. Not sure what fixture it links with but I will try it out in a few weeks once I get my LEDs hooked up to it. You can also have your pumps in "storm mode" as well but you need the pump controller module for that. Ends up being around $300 for all of that...I think

 

[PolyReef]

You have to decide what the real need is, is it for you or the corals? The corals couldn't care less and the possible negative effect on the stress level of the fish makes me wonder why any one would want to do this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Vd31yHkYqo&feature=youtube_gdata_player
I just wonder how this reef looks doing thunderstorms.......
After using thunderstorm for over eight months in my aquarium-Forget about it.....
Too much stress on the fish. so what's going to be next...... Polka disco, Fish spa, Brazilian wax...
Happy reefing gentlemen.

 

[T Diddy]

I think the thunder storms are best suited for the produce section at the grocery store :thumbsup:

 

[BIGG D]

WOW!
Definetly did not expect this kind of feedback. I did not realize it was such a heated issue.

I dont plan to run a storm like this on regular basis...I just thought it was cool. When I have some folks over admiring my tank. I could go, "Watch this!"

I for one do not believe this feature has any negative effect on the fish. The set-ups I have seen on Youtube do not indicate any irratic behavior from the fishes. As stated earlier. If anything would be no different than the kids bounding around by the tank.

Anyway...no drama please.

Back to the OP.

So there are specific LED fixtures that have this programming?

I have been following some threads on ESHINE LED lights and other chinese LED systems. Some will not operate with a third party controller...some will.

Any more direction appreciated.

 

[sirreal63]

It isn't a heated issue, and don't worry if it isn't shown on a few you tube video's it simply cannot happen because we all know that you tube is a defining source of information. It will either be a problem or it won't, you will know eventually and can report back. Not all fish behave the same so there is no way to say it will or will not be a problem.

ReefTech has this feature, Radion and AI does too, there are probably others as well but I don't know for sure which others do it. All kidding and fun aside, I hope you do report back your experience with this feature, it is from first hand accounts we get good information, much like PolyReef's eight month experience with it.

 

[PolyReef]

I would say it's pretty hard to tell from YouTube movies how fish react.
I only can share what I saw in my Tank.
Repeat fish hiding between rocks can make pretty nasty scratches on fish skin.
By doing so Fish can be much easier open to the sickness on their skin.
I have my tank for over 15 years.
http://jeb.biologists.org/content/211/3/354.full.pdf

 

[ReefTechMarine]

As a diver and hobbyist, I have been on diving trips during storms and have enjoyed rescue diving scenarios during T-Storms with lightning and sizable waves. On a living reef very little change is noticed by the fish in the wild unless the waves are battering the reef. The lightning is something they are quite used to and usually they exhibit little response. I will say that researches have noticed that fish typically position themselves in the rocks and prepare well in advance of a serious storm. Obviously this level of destruction would not be obtainable in a reef aquarium without damaging the corals etc.

In a reef tank these features are for the enjoyment of the user. The fish and corals in my experience exhibit no noticeable change. You can run a disco ball and they will just go on about their day.

I view this feature like running the a/c in a convertible with the top down. If you like to use it great, if not that is fine too.

 

[PolyReef]

"I will say that researches have noticed that fish typically position themselves in the rocks and prepare well in advance of a serious storm"
What trigger this behavior?

 

[ReefTechMarine]

"I will say that researches have noticed that fish typically position themselves in the rocks and prepare well in advance of a serious storm"
What trigger this behavior?

Many animals both land and sea are able to detect changes in barometric pressure and overall changes in weather.

I am not sure enough research has been done to determine the exact causes.

It just goes to show you how much we do not understand about this world. Dogs that can smell cancer in patients etc. Hopefully someday we will get a better understanding of things so we can make this planet a better place for all.