AI Prime 16HD lense question from a noob

[JoJosReef]

Hi all,

I am inspecting my AI Prime 16HD for the first time since it started running in January. It has been on an modified Saxby Schedule using an AB+ spectrum:

As you can see, at max, UV and Violet are running at 82%. My crocea clam died recently, so I am just checking to make sure the light isn't malfunctioning (although I believe the light is just insufficient for a crocea).

It also has a 3DReefing diffuser for the shading/disco reduction:

Here are some angled shots of the lens (the plastic cover over the LEDs, if I understand correctly):

Does it look to you like the lens in front of the UV LED (middle right) is starting to melt?

What would happen if I just took that plastic lens off altogether? Would the 3DReefing diffuser do enough to spread the light? I understand that is the purpose of the lense, which has a slightly frosted appearance.

Or, should I try to get a new lens from AI?

Thanks for entertaining my LED basics questions!

 

[SilvermistInc]

Your problem may simply be that your light isn't producing enough par

 

[JoJosReef]

Your problem may simply be that your light isn't producing enough par

For the clam, I'm 99% sure that is the case. For everything else in the tank, they are growing a bit too fast, actually! It is a 10g and is getting a bit too full:
Nems: 4x RFAs
Soft: Zoas/palys, cloves, branching GSP, gorgonian
LPS: Hammer, Octo, Torch, favia, hitchhikers
SPS: mint potato chip pavona, monti digitata
Macro: Brotycladia, Gracilaria hayi, Codium

Clam is gone, but long term goal is for another crocea, and thinking of a supplmentary LED like a Kessil with a 30degree focusing lens to shine right on the clam.

Aside from that, I'm just trying to understand the AI Prime 16HD's lens situation. Is it starting to melt? Is the lens needed? Does it need to be replaced?

Thanks!

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Hi all,

I am inspecting my AI Prime 16HD for the first time since it started running in January. It has been on an modified Saxby Schedule using an AB+ spectrum:

As you can see, at max, UV and Violet are running at 82%. My crocea clam died recently, so I am just checking to make sure the light isn't malfunctioning (although I believe the light is just insufficient for a crocea).

It also has a 3DReefing diffuser for the shading/disco reduction:

Here are some angled shots of the lens (the plastic cover over the LEDs, if I understand correctly):

Does it look to you like the lens in front of the UV LED (middle right) is starting to melt?

What would happen if I just took that plastic lens off altogether? Would the 3DReefing diffuser do enough to spread the light? I understand that is the purpose of the lense, which has a slightly frosted appearance.

Or, should I try to get a new lens from AI?

Thanks for entertaining my LED basics questions!

I have these lights im curious if that diffuser has any venting or is it sealed over the light?

I run them higher wattage so I wouldn't think its melting unless it's a defective diode, or what I was getting at with the diffuser not letting out heat.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

And I took a picture of one of mine and it looks the same it's been going for around a year+ at high wattage

 

[TokenReefer]

Use two fingers (on the picture of the app) and slide them up. Your max peak right now is only 40% of what the light can do

 

[JoJosReef]

And I took a picture of one of mine and it looks the same it's been going for around a year+ at high wattage

Yours doesn't have that spot over the UV diode. I tested in the app with each channel individually, and all of them are lighting up, so I don't think it could be a defective diode unless it's running at incorrectly high intensity. Yours looks good, I think!

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Yours doesn't have that spot over the UV diode. I tested in the app with each channel individually, and all of them are lighting up, so I don't think it could be a defective diode unless it's running at incorrectly high intensity. Yours looks good, I think!

Opps ok now I see the one your talking about!

You say you tested uv by itself?

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

This is the one your talking about on yours right?

 

[TokenReefer]

This is the one your talking about on yours right?

If it's the one @thatmanMIKEson pointed out that's the red channel led

 

[JoJosReef]

I have these lights im curious if that diffuser has any venting or is it sealed over the light?

I run them higher wattage so I wouldn't think its melting unless it's a defective diode, or what I was getting at with the diffuser not letting out heat.

The diffuser has 6 cut slits in the back, which I assume is for venting. None in the fronts or sides.

 

[JoJosReef]

This is the one your talking about on yours right?

That's the one I'm suspecting is starting to melt. I tested all channels by going into the App, using the "Live Demo" button, setting everything to zero, and then looking at each one by one, raising the power individually (then back to zero, of course).

If it's the one @thatmanMIKEson pointed out that's the red channel led

The one with the red arrow is the UV channel. At least that is the one that lights up when I use the slider for UV only (dimly, I think the spectrum is not as visible to human eyes, but a bit purplish). The red one is the diode just down and left of the arrow-pointed one.


So, does anyone know what happens if you just take off that piece of plastic? How necessary is it?

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

The diffuser has 6 cut slits in the back, which I assume is for venting. None in the fronts or sides.

I might look more into those diffusers how do you like them, do they cut the glare out ? I can see mine from sitting down in the room, so I need something to block the light from hitting my eyes. I've seen these on Amazon but I was worried about heat and par, also do you know how bad they knock the par down?

With the light issue I would definitely call AI if your worried or not happy, they should be able to help replace or reassure you on their product.

 

[TokenReefer]

to my eye it looks like the red led diode pictured here, in the same spot but the puck is turned...

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

That's the one I'm suspecting is starting to melt. I tested all channels by going into the App, using the "Live Demo" button, setting everything to zero, and then looking at each one by one, raising the power individually (then back to zero, of course).


The one with the red arrow is the UV channel. At least that is the one that lights up when I use the slider for UV only (dimly, I think the spectrum is not as visible to human eyes, but a bit purplish). The red one is the diode just down and left of the arrow-pointed one.


So, does anyone know what happens if you just take off that piece of plastic? How necessary is it?

There's a thread on here with people replacing that whole cluster, I think it's a simple process but idk much more than that.

 

[JoJosReef]

I might look more into those diffusers how do you like them, do they cut the glare out ? I can see mine from sitting down in the room, so I need something to block the light from hitting my eyes. I've seen these on Amazon but I was worried about heat and par, also do you know how bad they knock the par down?

With the light issue I would definitely call AI if your worried or not happy, they should be able to help replace or reassure you on their product.

I'll take a video later to show the difference. In terms of par, I have no idea. My guess was to raise power about 10% across the board to compensate, but I've never used a par meter. Just went by some of the info on the BRS video (they give some specs of the light over a 10g cube). I need to use a par meter, especially if my settings are only 40% of the light's capacity.

Will probably check in with AI soon. THanks!

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

@90's reefer has a little experience with these I believe, and always willing to lend some knowledge

 

[JoJosReef]

to my eye it looks like the red led diode pictured here, in the same spot but the puck is turned...

Ah yes! That would be true if I had the puck oriented that way. What I did was just swivel it sideways, so you'd need to rotate this image 90degrees right.

 

[TokenReefer]

rotate the picture...ok... good luck!

 

[X-37B]

I have extra lens for my 16hds. They are about $5. Have only replaced one on a used unit I bought.
I run 8 on different systems, 4 tanks and have no issues with any lens melting so far. Its almost 9 months now running a strong acro light schedule.
Uv V 140%
B RB 125%
R 6%
G 6%
W 30%.
I run 2 on an 20g 18" nano cube.
I would get your lights up to
100% UV V B RB
R <10%
G<10%
W 30% to what you like.
I get great colors at my settings.
My cube today.