48x24x16 Lowboy Build

[Goaway]

It's only packs of 2 and they're $200 each, but I like AquaSD.

You bought these?

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

So my first thought is how did this happen. Then next I think even if you correct it either the 2 part what will stop it for happening again. I’ve never used kalk so I’m not sure what is a normal reading for alk and cal . Strange to me alk so high and cal only on the low end of normal

Yeah. I was thinking about dosing 2 part calcium and dropping my kalk dosing

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

You bought these?

Nope. I like aquasd a lot but the selection has been limited lately. I am looking for a variety of octos and no one seems to have more than the blah varieties. The few places that do are charging a kings ransom for which I refuse to pay.

 

[Goaway]

Yup. Its all insanity now. Cant help with your alk issue

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

So my first thought is how did this happen. Then next I think even if you correct it either the 2 part what will stop it for happening again. I’ve never used kalk so I’m not sure what is a normal reading for alk and cal . Strange to me alk so high and cal only on the low end of normal

I actually think i know how it happened. When I first started playing around with my reef chemistry, I was dosing 2 part alk trying to raise that number but not calcium. I dont know why..but I do think that my calcium was staying consistent enough with the IO reef crystals water changes that I never thought I needed to. My guess is that some of the alk got soaked up into the sand and rock to the point of alk saturation. now that I am dosing Kalk, the rocks have to absorb up some of the calcium which is why the alk is rising and the calcium is staying consistent if not falling a little.

*shrugs* best guess I can toss out there.

 

[tbrown]

You bought these?

I didn't. I was showing @BroccoliFarmer .

 

[((FORDTECH))]

I actually think i know how it happened. When I first started playing around with my reef chemistry, I was dosing 2 part alk trying to raise that number but not calcium. I dont know why..but I do think that my calcium was staying consistent enough with the IO reef crystals water changes that I never thought I needed to. My guess is that some of the alk got soaked up into the sand and rock to the point of alk saturation. now that I am dosing Kalk, the rocks have to absorb up some of the calcium which is why the alk is rising and the calcium is staying consistent if not falling a little.

*shrugs* best guess I can toss out there.

Hmmm I’m not sure but could be. Maybe what you will need to do is lower kalk addition which will lower alk and cal numbers even cal being 380-390 is acceptable. But then alk would hopefully run lower aswell. Then if you wanted you could supplement with 2part cal if need higher

 

[Greg P]

Hope you nail your dosing and keep everyone happy.
Love the tank dimensions. Is my fave size but don't have the space for more than 18" deep

 

[Goaway]

@BroccoliFarmer. Did you ever have issues with the noopsyche controller randomly turning off and causing the lamps to not function correctly?

 

[Goaway]

Ok. Unboxing and installation review of the Noopsychee ('NP') K7 V3s. Fairwarning...I did receive these as a NP giveaway that I was given two NP K7 V3 140 lights in exchange for recording my reef once a week and posting it here. I was not asked to provide a review or endorse their product. As such, this is an honest review and my own.

Shipping:
Took about a week to get from Hong Kong. 5 days waiting for the package to be picked up and 3 days for the actual delivery. NP reached out to me and gave me a heads up..so +1 thumbs up for excellent communication.

Packaging:
Initial unpacking was pretty good. Things well packaged, neat. Didn't have a lot of foam or impact absorbing material..so hopefully these didn't get thrown around in transit. The power up and down..so I am going to assume they had a gentle ride!!

Look and Feel:
Honestly, these feel quality. I know it is hard to say that and make it make sense...but these don't feel like cheapo lights. I would compare the feel to that of an EcoTech Radion for material, weight, feel, etc. If I came into this hobby without knowing anything or doing any research, I would not know that these are the new players in town or the more affordable options.

As I stated earlier, I do not like how large the AC/DC converter is (5.5" x 4" by 1.75") nor do I understand why the impressive heat sink is on the wall facing side of the set up. I wonder if it is so large so that they are accommodating the heat sink? *shrugs*

Installation:
I am installing these as the led component of my 48" AquaticLife hybrid lighting fixture. They easily fit within the space. There are a couple of 'complaints' you have to be aware of.

1. The set screws are REDICULOUSLY small. They are metric 0.5 screws. I had to run to the hardware store and pickup longer screws so that I could attach them to the AL brackets. The nice, larger screws with the larger heads do not fit...so you are stuck with the little ones. If you are not using their installation brackets, you WILL be making a trip.
2. The cords themselves are a little short. My setup has all of the cords on one side of my stand and there was JUST enough to stretch out. Ultimately, I dont mind as they met my needs but for those of you with larger set ups and a more elaborate cord management, you are going to need an extension cord.

Operation:
The controller...well this just feels cheap. a small credit card sized controller with 5 controller buttons, 4 quick set buttons, and a small LED screen. Usage of the control is not intuitive. Even by leveraging the manual, I did not find that it made sense. Yes, I could do it..but ultimately, I ended going out to youtube to figure it out. It was actually non intuitive even after watching the video.

()​

1. Push right button on unit until light is blue
2. Push left button on unit until light is flashing blue
   1. Note: If you have multiple lights, do this on both of them before proceeding to the next step.
3. Push middle button on controller until the 'T' is highlight.
4. Push right button on controller to highlight the K71
5. Push center button on controller twice
6. Now push the right button until you are on the H (will say transmit)
7. Push center button on controller - Your lights should turn on. You are now connected

Still figuring out the customization.

Update: I figured out how to program it.

1. Push center button. the T option should highlight.
2. Push the right button to select K71. It should show your setting (most likely manual if your first time)
3. Push center button to select..it should highlight the M
4. Push right and select A.
5. Push center button to select
6. You should now be able to choose SPS, LPS or SPS/LPS. Choose one that has presets
7. Push center button to start programming
8. Now you get EIGHT (hard coded 8 settings) for time settings.
9. You should now have one of the 8 (numbered 1 through 8) for your time settings. Hit the center button to go into edit mode. The number should be blinking
10. Push up or down to move to the next or previous time setting.
11. Hit center button to start editing that time setting.
12. Push the left or right button to move to the hours, minutes or of the 6 channels.
13. Push the center button to enter edit mode.
14. Push left or right button to increase or decrease the selected item.
15. Push the center button again to exit edit mode.
16. Go back to point 9 and repeat for ALL 8 time settings.
    1. Note..make your setting 8 all Zeros for each channel...this will turn out the lights at your determined lights out time. Your settings on setting 1 is your lights on time.
17. NEW: Make sure your first and last setting of the day is at all Zeros. As per the manual, the lights slowly ramp up and down between times. As such, you need to make sure that you have all zeros for time interval 1 and 8 or it will have light at night.

Note: There is no 'home button'. You just got wait it out for it to go back.

Things I like about it.

1. Apparently you can do custom schedules. Granted you have to go through the klunky controller
2. The light itself...I actually like this better than my radions. I dont know if my light is just dialed up too high or if it is just better..but the reef looks fantastic. Definitely has less shadows and move coverage. Not sure if that is because my spacing is different or if it is because NP has multiple focal points..but the reef does look better to the eye.

Things I don't like about it.

1. The controller itself. Just flat out non intuitive. I think NP would be well served by creating an App and just ditch the controller. It also has to be plugged in..as such, you are geographically limited and will need an extension cord if you don't have a near by outlet. I also have ZERO clue on the buttons across the top mean (K71, K72, T4, K7f). I am assuming presets but zero understanding and I am unable to find the documentation.​

• Figured them out..it was on the included quick reference card. Doesn't provide much info..but this is what they are labelled as. as such, still confused.
  • K71 = Light 1
  • K72 = Light 2
  • T4 = Wave Pump
  • K7f = Some sort of setting for fresh water / aquatic?

2. No automatic acclimation setting (that I am aware of). I assume that I can create an alternate program..but I havent figured it out yet.​

I am actually going to turn off my lights until I can figure out intensity settings.​

3. Did I say the controller? There are a couple of videos..going to take time to try and get a better video so i know what i am doing.​

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Here is the initial recording:​

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Overall my initial impression of this is that the inconvenience is probably worth the money savings. For those of you looking to get some good lights but don't mind a clunky interface...these lights maybe a good option for you. For those of you who want ease and intuitive of operation, keep looking. I am optimistic enough I am going to keep these that I am going to put my Radions up on Craigslist and my local reefing club and see if anyone wants em.​

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@fishguy242. I cant think of a better post to help set up the noops. That controller has angered some people.

 

[fishguy242]

@fishguy242. I cant think of a better post to help set up the noops. That controller has angered some people.

thank you, have some catching up to do here...

 

[Goaway]

thank you, have some catching up to do here...

Not much. Too much.

Yup brains shutting down

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

@BroccoliFarmer. Did you ever have issues with the noopsyche controller randomly turning off and causing the lamps to not function correctly?

Never. The only 'random' issue i ever had was actually a feature...the fade in / out. roughly the lamp ramps up and down between times to the next setting. As such, if you want a setting to stay constant you have to have the same values at two consecutive times. I was wondering why i put lamp to zero at 10 PM but when i was in my office it was at like 20%..because it was half way to my morning setting which was 40%

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

Just posting my tank levels before I do my final NooPsyche video later today.

Salinty: 1.024

API:
Phosphate: .25
Nitrate: 5

Hanna:
Calcium: 428
DKH: 12.3

I am nudging down my kalk dosing from 900ML a day to 800ML a day trying to get my DKH down a little.

 

[Goaway]

I was supposed to do my video last week, I didn't feel like messing with the camera. I didn't even send my pics I took for the growth.

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

I was supposed to do my video last week, I didn't feel like messing with the camera. I didn't even send my pics I took for the growth.

Although my reef has appeared happy..i actually havent seen any noticeable growth. I am going to attribute this to my inability to keep my parameters 'perfect' and the changes that I have been making. I have just about everything dialed in now..except for my Alk which is a little high..so trying to nudge that down a tad. Outside of this..the only thing that may be a problem is the PH..but honestly..Ive always been above 8 whenever I checked so cant see why.

I am getting a little annoyed by the lack of growth (pre NooPsyche's as well). Frustrated is probably the better word. Hopefully I am not at the mark (7 months) where things start taking off.

 

[Goaway]

If parameters are swinging constantly, corals will suffer in growth. Not sure why your water is behaving that way

My birdsnest, and monti cap are finally growing. My slimer could care less. My blasto is still spouting new mouths. My acro seems to be growing more (corallites?) Hmm, I would have to really do a side by side comparison on that one. What I think I am seeing could be a lie.

Hammers, aren't growing. But the gold tip has always been a slow grower. Highlighter hammer is growing like a wall and not a branch.

Do you have softies?

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

If parameters are swinging constantly, corals will suffer in growth. Not sure why your water is behaving that way

My birdsnest, and monti cap are finally growing. My slimer could care less. My blasto is still spouting new mouths. My acro seems to be growing more (corallites?) Hmm, I would have to really do a side by side comparison on that one. What I think I am seeing could be a lie.

Hammers, aren't growing. But the gold tip has always been a slow grower. Highlighter hammer is growing like a wall and not a branch.

Do you have softies?

I have a couple of zoas that are doing well. Getting new heads. So I must have a few things going right.

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

Here is the final installment of the NooPsyche record your reef event.


My torches seem to be doing great. My Frogspawns are doing pretty well. Not sure if you noticed..but a couple of the heads that I thought I lost seem to be making a come back. *Fingers Crossed* My stylo is still a bit unhappy and I can see it is still losing some flesh. Hopefully that gets turned around soon. Got a couple of new heads on my AOI and Rasta Zoas. The only real negative going on right now is that my Acans dont seem to be happy and seem to be receding. *shrugs* I tried them, honestly dont really like them anyway so besides being out the money...not going to lose sleep over it.

Now that the Record your Reef is over...what are my final thoughts.

1. Reef looks fantastic. I think the lights look outstanding.
2. Lights themselves are pretty good. Fan is a little loud. Controller is medieval..but the lights themselves are great.
3. I have not had any significant growth in the last two months. I am not sure I can attribute any of this to the lights. If you remember, I was battling Dinos and GHA when I first started the lights. I also made a lot of changes in the first few weeks which more than likely put the corals in a defensive, no growth mode (going from two part to kalkwasser and dosing potatssium Nitrate and Trisodium Phosphate). When I switched over from salifert to Hanna checker, my alk seemed to be topped out in the low 12s. With all of this going on..i am willing to put the lack of growth squarely at my feet.

So what is the verdict on the NooPsyche lights? Drumroll please......

Overall..I like the lights. I liked them when I first got them...enough to sell my G5 Ecotech Radion XR15 Pros. I still like them now and dont regret signing up for this process. I liked them enough that i bought a 75 watter to address some shadowing. For those of you looking for some budget lights that dont want to sacrifice great lighting but are willing to skimp on the controller bells and whistles..I say give the NooPsyches a try. Thank you @noopsyche for letting me try out these amazing lights!!

I am probably going to continue recording my reef this way but will probably move to a semi-monthly or monthly posting.

 

[bsagea]

Prove it

Born many , many years ago in South Amboy, NJ. Lived in Monmouth County for 16 years and then Morris County for 14 yrs until the tankmaster got tired of the cold and snow! Moved to NC in 2002. New Jersey will always be home to me!!!