How to get shimmer/shadow with led

iamurri33 · Nov 11, 2015

What is the best way to get a shimmer/shadow look with led lighting? I know to put little movement on top of the water but is that any other tricks anyone has?

Jimmyb819 · Nov 11, 2015

Use Kessils, plenty of shimmer

I don't think you can increase shimmer other than water agitation. Most of it has to do with the LEDS. The Kessils use a chip led which creates a point source instead of a distributed one. This is why they have a lot of shimmer.

iamurri33 · Nov 11, 2015

Jimmyb819 said:
Use Kessils, plenty of shimmer

I don't think you can increase shimmer other than water agitation. Most of it has to do with the LEDS. The Kessils use a chip led which creates a point source instead of a distributed one. This is why they have a lot of shimmer.

I've seen people put a egg cate to try to break up the lighting a little not sure if it works or not. But I will look into them

Jimmyb819 · Nov 11, 2015

That may do something. It's a pretty cheap solution so may be worth a try.

MrDJeep123 · Nov 11, 2015

Jimmyb819 said:
Use Kessils, plenty of shimmer

I don't think you can increase shimmer other than water agitation. Most of it has to do with the LEDS. The Kessils use a chip led which creates a point source instead of a distributed one. This is why they have a lot of shimmer.

Pretty much this. Kessil has the best shimmer available from any LED output. That's why it's so hard for me to give it up. To create more shimmer, the surface has to be agitated. More agitation equals more shimmer. But like anything there is a fine line before it looks ridiculous.
Check out the for sale/trade forums. A good place to get a decently priced one.

TheEngineer · Nov 11, 2015

It can be done with distributed sources too, it just depends on the optics. My old DIY build had shimmer as good as MH and it was a 4' long fixture. I run a Kessil now and agree it does have great shimmer to it.

iamurri33 · Nov 11, 2015

Will 2 15 inch led fixtures be enough on a 125? Or will I need 3?

iamurri33 · Nov 11, 2015

2 This style or will I still have shade on the sides of the tank?

pondman · Nov 12, 2015

I'm running two on my 125 they are about 14" over water and there is three distinct shade spots on my tank I'm going to install a third light to see if this helps or I may reinstall my 36" t-5 in center and then the led on either side I'll take some pics when I finish my canopy.

iamurri33 · Nov 12, 2015

pondman said:
I'm running two on my 125 they are about 14" over water and there is three distinct shade spots on my tank I'm going to install a third light to see if this helps or I may reinstall my 36" t-5 in center and then the led on either side I'll take some pics when I finish my canopy.

Thanks and yea post a pic on this and let me see what just the 2 lights look like I think I will order 2 and then order another if needed

twilliard · Nov 12, 2015

My Orphek has lots of shimmer so kessil has competition

nbagnardi · Nov 12, 2015

twilliard said:
My Orphek has lots of shimmer so kessil has competition

Which orphek do you have?

twilliard · Nov 12, 2015

nbagnardi said:
Which orphek do you have?

I have the 2.1 atlantik compact over my 46g bowfront

reefologist55 · Nov 12, 2015

Kessils all the way...+1 on the pinpoint system. I have my return nozzles angled slightly up to cause constant ripple in the water....thw effect is like none other..reminds me of snorkellingnin a shallow reef

nbagnardi · Nov 12, 2015

twilliard said:
My Orphek has lots of shimmer so kessil has competition

Which orphek do you have?

twilliard said:
I have the 2.1 atlantik compact over my 46g bowfront

i was looking into these myself. Was struggling with SPS. What are you keeping under them and do you have any issues? Algae or such.

twilliard · Nov 12, 2015

nbagnardi said:
Which orphek do you have?

i was looking into these myself. Was struggling with SPS. What are you keeping under them and do you have any issues? Algae or such.

No not at all. There is a lot of info on the Orphek site. Also Ofir (owner) is more than willing to answer questions.
I have a mixed reef. I just love to put in what ever I want at any level.
Now imo growth is related to ALK levels and nutrients.
I have everything from sps to softies.
They cost a little more but I will never look back

nbagnardi · Nov 12, 2015

twilliard said:
No not at all. There is a lot of info on the Orphek site. Also Ofir (owner) is more than willing to answer questions.
I have a mixed reef. I just love to put in what ever I want at any level.
Now imo growth is related to ALK levels and nutrients.
I have everything from sps to softies.
They cost a little more but I will never look back

yeah, i started with radion g3 pro's and couldn't get them dialed in right. hair algae everywhere. got rid of them for kessils, LOVE my kessils but struggle with high end sps. (sorry to jack this thread btw)

twilliard · Nov 12, 2015

The struggle with sps may not be the lighting.

Catchemall · Nov 12, 2015

Surface agitation but I also noticed when I added in some Royal Blues on my reef radiance leds it really made a nice shimmer.

nbagnardi · Nov 12, 2015

twilliard said:
The struggle with sps may not be the lighting.

thats what i thought too, but I'm OCD with my parameters. i did have a bad ALK test but when i replaced it i was just shy of normal, like .2 dkh so no way that was the culprit. i was only around 60% intensity and trying to maintain milliepora