180 Build Thread

palvyre · Jul 27, 2012

Lights are up. Moved 1 rock in that had some watermelon mushrooms on it. These lights are insanely bright, 100% is like a nuclear blast

Running them max of 40% for acclimation. Also have my refuge in there, just need to add some pods.

palvyre · Jul 28, 2012

Move in weekend! 92 has been broken down and everything moved to the 180.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1343526912.414836.jpg

poolkeeper1 · Jul 28, 2012

What optics are on those Led fixtures? It looks like you have 3 spotlights in the photo you posted. They may be too close to the water for the optics that are on them or is it an illusion?
Bill

gmoney243 · Jul 28, 2012

Looks that way for sure

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palvyre · Jul 28, 2012

Think they have 90, they are about 8 inches above the water, which is what they recommend. I don't have any more room to raise them higher because they are mounted in my canopy. They are definitely brighter in the area that you can see in the picture. They do throw light out to the side also, but it isn't as bright.

mixer911 · Jul 29, 2012

Yea it looks very focused to me as well. I doubt they are 90 deg optics from what i can see in the pics. They look more like 60 or 70. 90s would be throwing light sideways and filling in more. I would agree that they may need to be raised up as well. Get the par meter and see what you got going on there. You could fry some corals.

palvyre · Jul 29, 2012

It doesn't really look that bad in person. Was taken with cheap camera phone on my iPhone 4. In person I have a hard time telling which areas are brighter, but you can tell if you look close. In any case, can I get the PAR meter for testing?

palvyre · Jul 29, 2012

First new occupant, bought a sailfin desjardini tang from AC.

palvyre · Jul 29, 2012

Looking at the light it makes a trapezoid shape. About half way down the tank the lights cross over from the fixture adjacent and you have full coverage. The top 12 inches of the tank between fixtures is darker and makes a triangle of low light at the surface. I would think most fixtures that penetrate as deep as these would have that issue. Guess if you DIY you could mix up your optics and use more LEDs.

mixer911 · Jul 29, 2012

Deeper penetration comes from optics with more focus. From the pics it looks like your getting a good amount of light on the sand bed. For that penetration it would take optics like 40-50 or 60 Degree. There is not anything wrong with that, just make sure you acclimate any corals to it. LEDs can put out a lot of par and the optics can focus that pretty intensely.

palvyre · Jul 29, 2012

I called the manufacturer and he said they are 90 degree optics. However, he also said these fixtures put out enough PAR for SPS at 40" depth.

palvyre · Jul 29, 2012

Here is the contents of the email from the owner of Apollo Reef LED:

We are using 90 degree optics on all of our SolarBlasts. The way we've done our lights the 90 degree is perfect in balancing the spread and intensity. The light packs enough punch to produce enough PAR for SPS and clams at 40" depth while producing a spread for SPS of 30" x 30", even more for LPS and softies.

palvyre · Jul 29, 2012

I have noticed the red mushrooms I put on the sand bed and moved toward the front are unhappy with the intense light. I am hoping they acclimate. The lights are only at 40% intensity.

gmoney243 · Jul 29, 2012

All my shrooms hate leds even after 7 months lol put them in a non direct light

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poolkeeper1 · Jul 29, 2012

palvyre said:
Here is the contents of the email from the owner of Apollo Reef LED:

We are using 90 degree optics on all of our SolarBlasts. The way we've done our lights the 90 degree is perfect in balancing the spread and intensity. The light packs enough punch to produce enough PAR for SPS and clams at 40" depth while producing a spread for SPS of 30" x 30", even more for LPS and softies.

Did he quote any par readings or just saying it was enough for SPS at 40" depth, That's a pretty vauge statement for 3W Led's to have that much par at 40" depth

mixer911 · Jul 29, 2012

poolkeeper1 said:
Did he quote any par readings or just saying it was enough for SPS at 40" depth, That's a pretty vauge statement for 3W Led's to have that much par at 40" depth

With the amount of light the pics show I think he is getting a lot of PAR. I talked to Derick at the meeting and he said he has them only running at 40%. I think that the design has them mounted close together and with 90 deg optics so they are going to penetrate deeper.