Ai prime lens melted

[Shawaiz_106]

Anyone know where I can get ai prime lens in Ireland ?, I would've ordered from ai directly but shipping is 60euro

 

[chipchipbro]

why did it melt?

 

[ariellemermaid]

Anyone know where I can get ai prime lens in Ireland ?, I would've ordered from ai directly but shipping is 60euro

Did you write to customer service? They replaced mine for free but I live in the US (cheaper shipping I'm sure). I have 2x Prime 16HD's that have been running for about 2 years. I recently did some tank upgrading and had a good look at the lens for the first time since mounting them. Both of the lenses had 2 melted spots. As I said though, thankfully they replaced them for me for free. I knew twice was not a coincidence, and now here is your post....

 

[Shawaiz_106]

why did it melt?

Well, apparently it does that. Sadly I didnt realise that was a thing and bought it like that 2nd hand

 

[Shawaiz_106]

Did you write to customer service? They replaced mine for free but I live in the US (cheaper shipping I'm sure). I have 2x Prime 16HD's that have been running for about 2 years. I recently did some tank upgrading and had a good look at the lens for the first time since mounting them. Both of the lenses had 2 melted spots. As I said though, thankfully they replaced them for me for free. I knew twice was not a coincidence, and now here is your post....

Yea I researched and it's not that uncommon especially if you use them at high power, I did buy mine 2nd hand so idk if that would work but idm paying for the lens if they can get it shipped. Not 60euro doe lol. I will try emailing them

 

[X-37B]

I have around 8 extra lens. Pm me your address and I will see what it costs to ship. The lens is only $5.

AI fixed the issue on newer units.
I have been running them for 7 months now with no issues.
I run high UV-V @140%.
I run 8 at this setting.
Two of the preowned ones I bought had melted UV-V lens.
None of the new ones show any current issues.

 

[Crustaceon]

why did it melt?

They can sometimes get a spec of dust/salt creep directly on the lens that acts as a second refraction point, which basically focuses the lens onto itself. I’ve had an AI prime do this once.

 

[PeterEde]

Is this due to not cleaning the air filter?
Now I'll have to remember to check mine

 

[X-37B]

Is this due to not cleaning the air filter?
Now I'll have to remember to check mine

Its from salt splash if you dont run a diffuser.

 

[X-37B]

Is this due to not cleaning the air filter?
Now I'll have to remember to check mine

Sorry I was thinking of my radions.
They do make shields and diffusers for 16's.
Just get in the habbit of wiping the lens and screen once a week.

 

[Shawaiz_106]

Turns out my problem is a bit more severe, well a lot more

 

[Shawaiz_106]

I took the light apart to really check what was the problem, ( only violet doesn't work ) and the lens for that colour is okay so that means it's the actual led that's defective. Is violet really important for coral growth ?. For context I'm 15 qnd new to reefing so yea lol sorry if that's a stupid question

 

[Shawaiz_106]

Also it was DIRTYYYYY on the inside, like insanely dirty, kinda sad that ai voids your warranty if you take it apart because I think they should be cleaned from the inside as often as like cleaning your powerhead, if not more

 

[Shawaiz_106]

This is the lens, the slightly burnt one is uv, which does still show through a bit but yea replacing would still help.
Violet seems fine.




The other slightly problems is this...

I may have accidently broken the power cable connector by accident but it was kinda already broken ( if I adjusted the light, it would turn off )

 

[X-37B]

This is the lens, the slightly burnt one is uv, which does still show through a bit but yea replacing would still help.
Violet seems fine.




The other slightly problems is this...

I may have accidently broken the power cable connector by accident but it was kinda already broken ( if I adjusted the light, it would turn off )

Yea thats the non hd lens. I thought these were 16hds.

 

[Shawaiz_106]

Yea thats the non hd lens. I thought these were 16hds.

Yea sadly, I'm on a budget. My parents wanted me to pay for all of my fish tank on my own because they didn't realise how much reef tanks cost. Got this 2nd hand with the tank and its been a bit of a nightmare. Luckily I'm decent at DIY doe. Got the power connector working .

So my only concern right now is, the violet doesn't work and it won't work because that requires proper tools and skill to do at home. So, how important is the violet light for the corals growth ?. I only plan on keeping softies, los and maybe an awesome. No sps in the 16g cube. So would that work ?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Likely the light was too low to a glass cover or similar raising temperature within the housing. Cheaper may be to find a non working unit and use it as a parts fixture

 

[X-37B]

Yea sadly, I'm on a budget. My parents wanted me to pay for all of my fish tank on my own because they didn't realise how much reef tanks cost. Got this 2nd hand with the tank and its been a bit of a nightmare. Luckily I'm decent at DIY doe. Got the power connector working .

So my only concern right now is, the violet doesn't work and it won't work because that requires proper tools and skill to do at home. So, how important is the violet light for the corals growth ?. I only plan on keeping softies, los and maybe an awesome. No sps in the 16g cube. So would that work ?

Only way to tell is use it.
With that. Id run UV and Blues 100%
<10% on whats left except white at whatever level your eyes like.
Try 30% to start for white.
I understand the budget.

 

[Chrisv.]

Honestly, it's probably fine. Do you have access to a par meter fr your lfs or local club? If so, test the par an put your mind at ease.


What kinds of coral do you want to keep?

For those who run this light, is the led configuration the same as the hd version, but without the ability to over drive? If so, I will test the par on my prime HD with UV on and off and post it here.

 

[Shawaiz_106]

Likely the light was too low to a glass cover or similar raising temperature within the housing. Cheaper may be to find a non working unit and use it as a parts fixture

I could try that, sadly reef tanks aren't popular here so it's really hard to come by. Hopefully one pops up in my area soon. Or I could ask my lfs, they are nice and might have some broken ones they dont want