Verdict is in on Aqua Illuminations- Don't buy

[ccradr]

@ErikS.....it's ok. I got duped and spent too much money also. Don't defend our opinions on our experiences. They are very much real!

 

[rogerwilco357]

OP :
Thanks for your assessment of these lights

 

[chadfarmer]

This has been brought up about other LED lights, and if he doesn't like them just sell them, case closed

 

[grigsy]

I prefer metal halides to LED.

I ran AI for 8 months and saw much better growth using Phoenix MH with an HQI ballast.

 

[SethTheWineGuy]

SethTheWineGuy, I'm sorry to hear of your problems, especially if my thread on the AIs played any part.

You had a great write up. Very helpful and the most informative at the time. Thanks.

Most early adopters processed to bleach virtually everything in their tanks, in my case several times prior purchasing a PAR meter.

I personally think this has less to do with the PAR and more to do with the corals adjusting to the light spectrum emitted by LED's.

What power settings do you use and what height are your AI's mounted above the tank? You should be able to gain far more than 12" coverage with more than needed PAR at 25" depth by simply raising the LEDs. You mentioned 300 PAR on the sand bed - That's a lot of PAR especially when you consider your PAR meter is likely underestimated the blue light by upwards of 20%.

Other than sunrise and sunset, I'm 100% all the way and 9" off the water. I believe the PAR meter less and less with LED's and believe my corals more. They keep begging for more light.

To date, (aside from the early bleachings) my greatest challenge with the AIs has been developing optimal coloration. I added 12 watts of 403nm and Magenta stunner strips which provided a marked improvement.

I think you have the right idea here. I was going to toy with UV strips but I think I will try something else. Not sure if I will incorporate a MH or T5 at this point. Looks like it will be MH. It's still king better or worse for SPS keepers.

 

[SethTheWineGuy]

My Verdict is; AI is INNOCENT of all CHARGES.:hammer:

I have softies, leathers and monti's in my tank and all seems good. Getting excellent growth on my monti's in the short time I've had them.

I don't generally use these as a measuring stick as to a lights performance.

 

[SethTheWineGuy]

Sanjay's testing shows the same round spread.

Then maybe the only relevant light from these units IS from the four inner 40* pucks.

Sanjay still has MH on his on tank no?

 

[Yogre]

I read so much I can't keep it all straight but I think Sanjay has transitioned at least one of the tanks under his care to LED.

Maybe someone can find a link?

 

[Canadaguy]

How?

They recommended something that wasn't nearly enough. It has been common practice on the boards to say that AIs can only really cover a 12" area. Some use less and do fine but they can in NO WAY cover a 24x24 area properly. AIs are just too spotlight-y for good spread.

I agree completely as my AI couldn't cover a 24''x24'' area properly. A 12''x12'' area is what they are made for. Needless to say I sold my AI and now a happy 'Radion guy'

 

[NatureNerd]

From my experience of one year of very good SPS results with Sol's, you need at least three for a 48" X 18" X 21", 75g tank. That is one unit for every 16" X 16" area. I originally bought two for my tank and added a third one the day after I installed the first two. It was very clear they didn't cover anything close to 24" X 24". My experience could have gone the same way as the OP. Yeah, I was annoyed, but after adding the third one, I have been very happy with great SPS growth and good color. Every reef is different but I personally like these LED's better than my old MH's.

 

[Canadaguy]

This has been brought up about other LED lights, and if he doesn't like them just sell them, case closed

I agree 100% and thats what I did!

 

[gbru316]

I read so much I can't keep it all straight but I think Sanjay has transitioned at least one of the tanks under his care to LED.

Maybe someone can find a link?

http://www.coralmagazine-us.com/content/coral-interview-dr-sanjay-joshi

He is in the process of converting them all.

 

[JDK]

I am not an expert.

I am running an AI Sol Blue Nano on my biocube 29 for 6 months. SPS are growing, encrusting and coloring up nicely. GARF Bonsai especially is deep deep purple with neon polyps. Rainbow monti is brighter than ever and encrusting.

All SPS coral is in the center and up high in the tank. Rainbow acans on the sandbed are more colorful every day. A cpl I thought were just brown and orange acans are now rainbows.

I believe the AI Nano runs all 70 degree optics but not sure. This light is working for me.