Ai sol
- Thread starter Thizz
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revhtree
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My Tank Thread
My Aquarium Showcase
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How high will the lights be mounted?
reefknight
Well-Known Member
I think it'll depend on a couple of factors; how high they are mounted and what optics you are using? If you're using the 40 degree optics, you can always switch to the 70 degree for a wider covrage area.
CSJIII
Well-Known Member
I have a single AI over my 57 illuminata. 36 wide and I'm not getting the coverage I need so I purchased the 70 degree lenses. I will try to update and post before and after pics. But I have come to the conclusion that I need a second fixture.
OP
OP
Thizz
Active Member
Csj,does it lack coverage in length or width?
I plan on mounting mines long way,tank is only 13 inches wide so I'm not worried about front to back coverage...I just need the length.
Please update me on the lenses!
I plan on mounting mines long way,tank is only 13 inches wide so I'm not worried about front to back coverage...I just need the length.
Please update me on the lenses!
Bluejawtrigger
Well-Known Member
They will cover a 24/24 area without having shaded spots. I'm running 2 over my 117g, and I've got perfect coverage. They are mounted 11-12 inches above the water line.
CSJIII
Well-Known Member
I havent installed the lenses yet but here is an idea of what it looks like stock on my tank. The light is hung 12" above the water and my tank is 36" wide with an 18" depth.
I really like the lights but with the fixture hung sideways, it is only 12" so everything, even corals directly below the light get shadowing. IMO, any tank wider than 12" should have two lights and thats what I don't like about the light. Here is en example of a stick directly below the light.
As you can see, it needs light from two directions in order to not have a dark shadow. I will install the 70 degree tonight and update but IMO this will not fix my issue of shadowing.
aherre07
Active Member
I think you will be ok. I have 3 of them over a 72" tank 10" off the tank and get good coverage... it is just a matter of getting them hung up high enough and running them in the same direction as the pic from CSJIII above. you want the longer side the lights to be going in the length direction of the tank the front to back coverage will be easy to achieve.
OP
OP
Thizz
Active Member
So far so good,I put one over my 20l and it's covering it more than the lumenmax elites have.
Just a comparison lol,I don't use the elites over my 20.
I'm thinking of getting all 70 degree lenses for better coverage,would that still be good for my 55 for growing SPS about 15" down?
Just a comparison lol,I don't use the elites over my 20.
I'm thinking of getting all 70 degree lenses for better coverage,would that still be good for my 55 for growing SPS about 15" down?
Dapple
Active Member
To add for what its worth under observation of my ORA blue stag it wasn't doing so well in the bottom of my tank so I moved it back under the 40 degree optics and its rocking now. IMO I really think these lights are hard to beat. In my setup its a dual island with mushrooms and brain coral and lps on the bottom.
TheHun
New Member
Are you guys considered changing the existing optics? Just alternate the 40 and 70 degree lenses over the whole area of the light, thus producing a more even spread without losing the intensity and punch of the 40 degree lenses.
reefknight
Well-Known Member
I've read that article and staggering the lenses is a great idea. I haven't done it as of yet, but my tank is only 12" deep.
reefknight
Well-Known Member
Remove the 4 screws on the face if the unit, and lift off the cover. The optics just rest on top of the LED's. Place whichever ones you want and reverse the process. Extremely simple.
