AI Prime 16 Melting?

[Siberwulf]

Sooooo it looks like my lights have melted. Is this a common occurence? I only noticed because a bit of it was hanging down (it looked like it was just a long water droplet hanging) right above my tank.

I'm assuming that this one drop is not all that has melted off the light, and assuming others have fallen into my tank. What should I be doing with this as far as chemistry wise? What type of cover is on this?

And finally..what lights are good like the AI Prime 16 and won't freakin' melt into my tank?

 

[ryanjohn1]

Did you try to contact ai

 

[danieyella]

That's crazy, I would 100% reach out to AI

 

[rroselavy]

Is anything impeding the cooling of the light, such as a failed fan or something covering the fan or blocking cooler air from reaching the fixture? I can only imagine that the LEDS are overheating.

 

[rroselavy]

Looks like there are several reviews at BRS mentioning melted lenses. Not a good sign.

 

[littlebeard]

Search r2r melting isn't uncommon

 

[Siberwulf]

Search r2r melting isn't uncommon

How do you end up preventing it? I wasn't running this at a super high level and it never complained of too much heat.

 

[littlebeard]

How do you end up preventing it? I wasn't running this at a super high level and it never complained of too much heat.

I never did. Just bought a new lens. If you do, buy a fan with it and save yourself shipping for when it does break.

 

[mike550]

@Siberwulf what were your LED settings? As @rroselavy and @littlebeard mentioned I’ve heard about this too. I don’t think you can overdrive them like people suggest.

AI Prime Lens Melted

I purchased this AI prime 16 HD Reef Aquarium LED (Black) in 2021 in October and up until recently, I had spotted that the lens has been burnt/melted. I have read up that it is a pretty common issue, but has anyone had experience and or can lend any advice as to what I can do? Any advice is...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Siberwulf]

@Siberwulf what were your LED settings? As @rroselavy and @littlebeard mentioned I’ve heard about this too. I don’t think you can overdrive them like people suggest.

AI Prime Lens Melted

I purchased this AI prime 16 HD Reef Aquarium LED (Black) in 2021 in October and up until recently, I had spotted that the lens has been burnt/melted. I have read up that it is a pretty common issue, but has anyone had experience and or can lend any advice as to what I can do? Any advice is...

www.reef2reef.com

Here's what I was running (BRS recommended settings)

 

[Tamberav]

How do you end up preventing it? I wasn't running this at a super high level and it never complained of too much heat.

They say it is from salt spray.

To be fair, I have never had mine melt like that but the tank is covered so salt spray would be impossible. So maybe they are right.

 

[Joe31415]

Mine did it too. When I noticed it and went to replace the lenses, I emailed AI to ask them which lenses I need for it. They answered my question, but told me they were covered under warranty and replaced them. But that was less than a year ago and the new ones are already starting to melt.

If you do, buy a fan with it and save yourself shipping for when it does break.

I wonder if it can be upgraded to an aftermarket fan that doesn't sound like an airplane idling all day long.
I'm gonna have to look into that.

 

[EricR]

I've seen people say that the high UV setting can cause the front lens to melt but usually isn't as bad as your picture. (Pictures I've seen before are usually a spot directly in front of the UV LEDs).

I've been running 2x Prime 16 HD LEDs for 1 year with no issues but I don't run mine that high. (Highest I had them was at 55% of BRS softie suggestions and backed down to 40% because it was too much for my corals/placement)

 

[chipchipbro]

yes, they all melt.. especially if UV/V is over 100%

All my lenses on my AI Hydra 32HD melted.. I didnt notice it for some time and my corals all got crappy colors...
Then one day I ewanted to clean the lenses I felt that they are melted...

Well, theres @luxdium and they have new lenses.

I did just buy new lenses and sold the AI lamps..
Bought some Radion G5 Blue and im very happy

 

[ChiCity]

these aren’t even uv diodes…
correct?

i thought all the “uv” leds
were just a shade of purple

 

[joseph scott]

Had 3 AI Primes all 3 melted over certain diodes. I bought these “high end” brand lights so I wouldn’t have this type of problem. I think certain sellers of these top brand lights have us believing that you have to pay $$$ for quality products.

 

[mike550]

@Siberwulf Im not an expert but you were definitely overdriving four of the channels so I’m not surprised the lens melted. I think lots of people rely on BRS for their settings but never mention longer term problems — then again I view the videos a lot like really helpful infomercials.

A bit too late but I use the BRS settings to get the right proportions for each channel but then don’t let any LEDs go over 90 or so. Yes it also might mean getting more or stronger lights but I figure I’ll get more use over the long run (and LEDs dim over time). I also use a PAR meter so I can get good readings on light intensity.

 

[EricR]

these aren’t even uv diodes…
correct?

No idea if the frequency/wavelength emitted is truly UV or not but, from a practical standpoint, seems like these are the ones people have the most melting issues with.

 

[mike550]

No idea if the frequency/wavelength emitted is truly UV or not but, from a practical standpoint, seems like these are the ones people have the most melting issues with.

You can definitely get LEDs in the UV range around 400nm. But I think we are seeing melted LEDs in the UV/purple/blue range because that’s where you increase the intensity of the LEDs if you‘re following AB+ type of loghting profiles.

 

[EricR]

Thought for OP:
Once lens is replaced, you could consider a setting plan that isn't so heavy on the UV/V

BRS suggestions seem pretty UV/V heavy
I think Saxby uses lower UV/V (but don't quote me on that)
*there's a bunch on AI's website