My New AquaIllumination Modules (Pic Intensive) [Archive]

reefsafe

01/04/2010, 10:59 PM

Got two modules today. Mounting kit comes tomorrow but in the meantime here are some pictures of the modules and the controller.

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/5924/p1010880r.jpg

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/7447/p1010879.jpg

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/3886/p1010883n.jpg

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/6610/p1010884.jpg

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/1076/p1010885.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/7547/p1010886r.jpg

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/7969/p1010896p.jpg

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8919/p1010888.jpg

One module can light up the kitchen!!!
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/9237/p1010891u.jpg

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/4054/p1010889s.jpg

reefsafe

01/04/2010, 11:01 PM

AI Controller

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/5580/p1010881.jpg

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/2118/p1010882u.jpg

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/1861/p1010892.jpg

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/7349/p1010895q.jpg

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/9762/p1010893.jpg

CalmSeasQuest

01/04/2010, 11:35 PM

Congrats! - First impressions?

I was surprised when I set up an EvilPAR38 21W LED in a small frag tank - Initially I wasn't too impressed with the perceived amount of light. But it kicks PAR (and that's with the older CREES.) I had to raise the light as I was bleaching frags including SPS.

I can't wait to see these in action - I should get mine on Thursday.

reefsafe

01/04/2010, 11:38 PM

Initial Thoughts:

Excellent build quality and Amazing Light output
Can't wait to get these guys over my tank!!!!

LooseHip

01/05/2010, 01:36 AM

looks pretty nice! I will have to spin by for sure... Will be very interesting to see how the corals react to the light.

richpoolboy

01/05/2010, 02:13 AM

watching

solos2

01/05/2010, 11:11 AM

Is that 24 LED bulbs @ 3W each, so 72W total output?

reefsafe

01/05/2010, 11:45 AM

correct

esco

01/05/2010, 11:48 AM

Is that 24 LED bulbs @ 3W each, so 72W total output?

Yep, on the box it says 72w power output.

solos2

01/05/2010, 11:51 AM

Thanks - any tank photos? :)

CalmSeasQuest

01/05/2010, 11:58 AM

Thanks - any tank photos? :)

I think Reefsafe is still waiting for the mounting rails.

Reefvette

01/05/2010, 12:58 PM

My modules come tommorow and i have no clue on the rails.

They look awsome.

goldenclove77

01/05/2010, 08:15 PM

Whats the depth of your tank? What kind of dimensions will this thing light?

goldenclove77

01/05/2010, 08:32 PM

Whats the depth of your tank? What kind of dimensions will this thing light?

Vivalashay

01/05/2010, 11:05 PM

Light looks great but puts quite a hurting on the ol' wallet.

kretzkiller

01/06/2010, 12:04 AM

I can't wait to hear your results of this LED system. I will be setting up a new system within the next couple years and am excited to see LED technology evolve!

reefsafe

01/06/2010, 12:47 AM

Rails came today but I scored tickets to the Nuggets game. Will try to mount tomorrow and update with pics.

solos2

01/06/2010, 01:52 AM

Cool thanks Reefsafe, I want to see how AquaIllumination 72W matches up with Maxspect 110W in terms of light output / color spectrum and stuff.

Cheers.

CalmSeasQuest

01/06/2010, 03:39 PM

Reefsafe - Any rails yet? What do you think about the noise level of the fans?

nivenethan

01/06/2010, 04:13 PM

Thanks - any tank photos? :)

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1766592

I have some photos of mine here.

WestTexasReefer

01/06/2010, 04:49 PM

Congrats! You will love them. I have had them on my tank for about 2 years now and can't imagine using anything else.

vaporize

01/06/2010, 09:45 PM

I saw somebody that used 8 of these on a 8' tank with 30" high with a profilux controller, the controlling aspect is pretty interesting, however it is too dim for most sps, only good for softie and some LPS (for his specific setup, probably due to the 30" height).

reefsafe

01/07/2010, 01:04 AM

Naturally when I get these awesome lights I don't have time to play with them :(

I got the rails but haven't been able to hook them up yet. But I wanted to provide an update so I rigged up some eggcrate and threw the modules right above the tank. I will definitely mount these higher but my bad pictures will show you how bright these lights are. I have only begun to experiment with the different intensities of the modules but these things are awesome. The comparison shots are of a 250 watt radium in a full lumenarc. Excuse the bryopsis.

two AI modules:

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/6798/ailightshot.jpg

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/9200/ai2.jpg

Right side of tank with halide only

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/9815/250comparison.jpg

AI on left/halide on right

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/159/leftright.jpg

AcroporAddict

01/07/2010, 06:30 AM

I see you hate scolys!:D

reefsafe

01/08/2010, 02:06 AM

So I rigged up the modules on the rails and wow. I will be replacing 250 watt halides in FULL lumenarc reflectors with 2 modules each. You can see the brightness in the pictures compared to the halides. I have been messing around more with the controller. The light in this picture is only at 50% intensity. I am getting a better camera (DSLR) tomorrow and will spend some much needed time doing maintenance work on the tank so I will update with better pics this weekend.

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/44/mnt2.jpg

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/7474/mount1h.jpg

aqualab

01/10/2010, 08:18 AM

What's your impressiion of the rails? Do you like the look over the tank? Pictures of the rail system?

nivenethan

01/10/2010, 09:33 AM

What's your impressiion of the rails? Do you like the look over the tank? Pictures of the rail system?

Rail system is super simple and clean. I'll try to grab a pic of mine today.

aqualab

01/10/2010, 09:51 AM

nivenethan

01/10/2010, 10:01 AM

Thanks nivenethan. What are they made out of? Sturdy? I really am interested in buying one of the modules for my Elos mini, just don't knoww about the rail system though. Can't decide on whether I can live with the rails or not. Not having any luck with alternate support system for the module.
Thanks Again

Really sturdy. Heavy duty extruded aluminum channel which are quarter round on the viewable sides. I have the 48" ones and have 4 modules hanging within each 48" rail system.

aqualab

01/10/2010, 10:08 AM

Phew, big bucks!!!! Thankfully, I am only looking at one module. Are the legs that sit on the tank aluminum also?

nivenethan

01/10/2010, 10:14 AM

Phew, big bucks!!!! Thankfully, I am only looking at one module. Are the legs that sit on the tank aluminum also?

No. They are black heavy plastic. Heavy duty though...won't bend or flex.

CalmSeasQuest

01/10/2010, 10:30 AM

I agree with Darren, the rails and legs are sturdy, they have an "industrial" look to them. I'm going to hang mine using their hanging kit so I can lose the legs and to eliminate the "spotlighting" effect I'm getting.

Here's a couple of pics of my AI installation

FTS
http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/yy141/tconwell/DSC_0759.jpg

Lots of "Pop" from the blues
http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/yy141/tconwell/DSC_0750.jpg

I started an AI owners thread in the ReefGeek forum at http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1771587

Overall, I love em. :)

aqualab

01/10/2010, 11:08 AM

Thanks for the pics CalmSeasQuest. Spotlighting - due to being to close to the water? Two modules over - what size tank is yours? Very nice by the way. I was tthinking only one module over my 20 gal Elos mini, dimesions - 17 x 17 x 17 more or less. Would one not be enough? Right now I have an Elos E-light, non marine version. Two white for my tastes, but does light up the whole tank depth and width.

luther1200

01/10/2010, 11:58 AM

Beatiful tank CalmSeaQuest! Those lights do look great, but they do have a "spotlight" affect. Do you think thats because they are so close? I have noticed that sort of thing with a few LED fixtures. Do those units have optics for the LED's?

CalmSeasQuest

01/10/2010, 12:18 PM

The tank is 24x24x20. The AI's use 45 degree optics. The spotlighting effect disappears entirely, as do all the shadows created by the aquascaping when the lights are raised about 8". I'm hanging mine using the AI hanging kit (hopefully will be in this week.)

For a 24" deep tank - there is more than enough output (much more than 14K 150w MH they replaced.) I've got mine dialed back to 75% white. Until I get them hung, that's about all I can do without risking bleaching the corals on the top of the tank (including SPS.)

Here's a little better FTS (sorry my photo skills are lacking.) The light is much brighter than portrayed in the photos - I had to underexpose to keep from having the images washed out.

http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/yy141/tconwell/DSC_0776_Low.jpg

reefsafe

05/13/2010, 01:57 PM

Sorry for the delay (new baby has kept me busy). Here are a few shots (bad quality, sorry) but I have had some great growth on my corals. You can see the growth on my Pink Lemonade, Red Planet and Pink Watermelon. I am running 6 AI modules on a 7 foot tank.

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/5617/pinkcombo.jpg