After breaking news. i have a decision

[XavierZ06]

Im Debating between going with the newly priced AI SOL Blue models (2) for my 75 gallon

Or DiY my own light very similar that i was planning on doing until today lol

Cost wise it will be almost the same if not a little more to do the DIY the way i want it. PLUS all the hours of my time and waiting for different parts and no warranty ETC ETC.


SO i need your guys help in choosing.

Please vote, if you have comments as to why you vote one way or another, Please help me and do tell.


THANKS in advance!

 

[Zoacoral]

if the DIY is more then the sols, you might as well get the AI's

 

[Doe5ia14]

It depends what you're looking for out of your lights? Also depends if you really want to put time into the project or just buy the plug and play AI.

 

[GR808]

Beauty of the diy is you could change color combos in the future if you'd like. Alot of flexibility with the diy.

 

[XavierZ06]

Honestly I was trying to DIY as close to the AI as I could myself lol. I was going to do the 3 cluster odds and the same colors. I just wanted to do it cheaper and didn't mind the labor To save hundreds. But now since they dropped the price down by 400$ for 2 units, it almost works out to be the same anyways.
For DIY I'm looking at
6 meanwell ballasts -$204 (each color controlled seperate)
20 CW 3w Cree
20 RB 3w Cree
20 blue 3w Cree ~$260 from ledgroupbuy

Heatsinks from heatsinkusa ~$140-180 depending on size I wanna go with

Controller for the dimming from ledgroupbuy (4 channel) $80

Wiring, solder gun (don't have) , optics, And a frame/hanging or mounting kit, and I'm pretty much at or over the AIs.

 

[XavierZ06]

Plus time is money and as a college reefer with 6 classes and a full time + part time job, time is very valuable haha

 

[Zoacoral]

ohhh, and i also heard, from someone at macna, AI is dropping the price on there units, as they are coming out with a new one!

 

[XavierZ06]

Yeah already announced, nano is 299 sol is 399 and Phoenix the new one or whatever its called is 499.

I can get a hookup and am figuring with the hanging kit And controller I'm looking at 800 for the two AI modules.

 

[Doe5ia14]

Seems like you have made your decision. I'm sure that price dropped they just released made it a little easier. Just about a $260 savings for 2 modules.

 

[Zoacoral]

ninja, how soon are you wanting the lights? Reason i ask, about 2 months from now, people will have some nice coupon codes out for black friday, I know thats a few months away, but not sure how soon your wanting them

 

[kuyatwo]

I love my ai sol blue i was going to do diy i even had diy fixture built. But the look of the ai fixture plus ease of the controller made me change my decision.


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