Killing stuff with lasers

[specialk]

I'd really like to get one of these but I want to a be sure it's in the 5w range or higher. Yes I have some aptiasia, with one large one I can't get to either, but I also have a gorilla crab I just can't catch. Kinda wanting to get midevil on his @as. It never goes for the shrimp in a jar and keeps pinching the legs off my sand sifting stars. I'm gonna need some power so it can meet it's demise.

I've found some bodies online and one I really like that takes 2 18650 batteries. It's still going to get costly to build one. I'm figuring about $170 to $180 for a true 6w. I'll keep looking when I have more time.

Do it! Get one! lol.. I can't tell you what a saving grace this has been for me. Also a huge relief becaue I am able to keep the purple/blue clove polyps from exploding all over my tank as well. That previously was a MAJOR issue in trying and finding ways to rid my tank of those ... which oddly enough, are tougher to fry then the majanos

 

[kecked]

I like the electric zapper version. Too cheap to try it.

 

[nashorn]

Ok looks to fun not to try
I guess I'll only fry at night when fish are asleep

 

[DougBouma]

I bought the same one and worried about the crackly sound and stopped. Though I would screw up my glass or something. Any chance of burning the glass at all?

 

[anit77]

I bought the same one and worried about the crackly sound and stopped. Though I would screw up my glass or something. Any chance of burning the glass at all?

The crackling sound is the burning on the other side of the glass under water. I'm no expert but mirrors are used all the time to redirect laser beams. Those mirrors are glass.

I would think that for the glass on tank were to crack and fail with laser use it would be from the beam being focused just right on an impurity within the glass, that or possibly in a scratch. You'd have a better chance hitting the lottery.

 

[petemichelle]

what are you using for protection of your hands and arms??? somebody else mentioned a wooden shingle. how are you using it?? are you shooting the laser through a hole in the shingle?

 

[petemichelle]

has anybody every bought from this place called Luck Laser? any reviews.

 

[petemichelle]

I have one on the way. it's the 5 watt Odin from Best Lasers. I've got a tracking number so I hope they will at least send something, and not just keep my money. or maybe send just a brick. anyway, i've been running this through my head a lot , and I mean a lot, has anybody had any affect on the paper behind their back glass? I've got a black plastic paper taped up behind the back glass. will it go through that? I mean, they advertise that it will cut through paper, but that is without the front class and 18inches of water, and the back glass. still, what do you think. also, what about the silicone sealant for the glass and overflow box? or the plastic overflow box itself. I've got stuff on the overflow box, (algae, cyano, bubble algae, and hydroids all on the back glass and overflow box I want gone. I sure don't want to cut a hole right through the overflow box. I saw that video on youtube where they cut through a whole bunch of plastic slim CD covers that were all lined up like dominoes. anyway, any experience anybody? anybody?

 

[petemichelle]

come on, give up the whole story, don't let me mess up my tank.....

 

[petemichelle]

Do it! Get one! lol.. I can't tell you what a saving grace this has been for me. Also a huge relief becaue I am able to keep the purple/blue clove polyps from exploding all over my tank as well. That previously was a MAJOR issue in trying and finding ways to rid my tank of those ... which oddly enough, are tougher to fry then the majanos

please give me some tips on the use. I asked if the overflow, silicone or back paper was an issue? you started this post asking advice and interaction, now that you've got the device won't you share? I would really appreciate it. thanks in advance.

 

[specialk]

what are you using for protection of your hands and arms??? somebody else mentioned a wooden shingle. how are you using it?? are you shooting the laser through a hole in the shingle?

ooops.. dang sorry I was not getting email alerts that people have posted here. My bad.

I use goggles for my eyes ... cant stress anough how important this is. For my body I literally wear like 3 layers of clothes... lol. Wore a tshirt once, that was a mistake.

 

[specialk]

I have one on the way. it's the 5 watt Odin from Best Lasers. I've got a tracking number so I hope they will at least send something, and not just keep my money. or maybe send just a brick. anyway, i've been running this through my head a lot , and I mean a lot, has anybody had any affect on the paper behind their back glass? I've got a black plastic paper taped up behind the back glass. will it go through that? I mean, they advertise that it will cut through paper, but that is without the front class and 18inches of water, and the back glass. still, what do you think. also, what about the silicone sealant for the glass and overflow box? or the plastic overflow box itself. I've got stuff on the overflow box, (algae, cyano, bubble algae, and hydroids all on the back glass and overflow box I want gone. I sure don't want to cut a hole right through the overflow box. I saw that video on youtube where they cut through a whole bunch of plastic slim CD covers that were all lined up like dominoes. anyway, any experience anybody? anybody?

I would not worry about the paper on the back unless you hold it there for a significant amount of time. Hold the laser very closely on the "enemy" until it is gone, then take it off right away. I would stay away from the silicone though .. that sounds like a bad idea. I know I have stayed awy from it on my tank...that just smells like a possible disaster

 

[specialk]

Also, the over flow box itself should be ok.. but again, you should have that laser dialed in to where the end of the beam is as wide as a pin head or slighlty bigger (that makes the laser heat "concentrated" and more effective then having big wide beam and the heat "spread out") ... but again, once the enemy is gone, turn the laser off, let it cool for 30 seconds, then use again

 

[Xandernfs]

@specialk I must be blind, do you have a link where you got yours? What are the options I should be looking for 3w? How do I know if I'm getting quality stuff?

 

[specialk]

@specialk I must be blind, do you have a link where you got yours? What are the options I should be looking for 3w? How do I know if I'm getting quality stuff?

I got mine from a site htpow.com -- even though there are a few mentions of them being not reputable (I found the few negative mentions AFTER I bought the laser) I found them to be very good. They emailed and replied and answered every question I had. They are in China.

Anything between 2W and 5W is going to be good. Although 3 to 5 is the best IMO. I was worried about it being quality as well, but I looked at it as IF it does not burn stuff it is not going to be strong enough for me. Really that simple. I got it and it burned paper, the reflection off the glass many times burned me when I was not paying attention, and absolutely FRIES majanos. Heck it even burned my stand wood and it started smokeing when I was not paying attention one time. In like 1 to 2 seconds. Thats strong!

And I still dont even know what the exact W is .. really I dont care. Have no idea how to find out and I dont want to. The thing is STRONG, it burns, and I am happy.

 

[petemichelle]

thanks

 

[Mical]

In a follow up to this thread, I purchased one off of Ebay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Power...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649) and it works AWESOME! Granted my tank is only 18" wide, I was still able to kill the dreaded aptasia. It takes about 30 -45 secs for large ones, almost immediate fry on smaller ones. Batteries seem to last about 5 mins before recharging which seems to run about an hour. Only drawback I've seen is it takes about 3 weeks to get here. Happy Hunting!

 

[specialk]

In a follow up to this thread, I purchased one off of Ebay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Power-445nm-Focusing-Blue-Beam-Laser-Pointer-Pen-Burn-Match-5MW/332250403980?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649) and it works AWESOME! Granted my tank is only 18" wide, I was still able to kill the dreaded aptasia. It takes about 30 -45 secs for large ones, almost immediate fry on smaller ones. Batteries seem to last about 5 mins before recharging which seems to run about an hour. Only drawback I've seen is it takes about 3 weeks to get here. Happy Hunting!

Awesome!

Yah I have been surpirsed at to just how resilent those majanos are ... if you dont fully cook em, they will live and stilltry to come back. Its amazing

 

[specialk]

As an update ...

So I bought a filefish before I got this laser. Hoping the filefish would start eating the majanos ... no such luck as it was like 3 weeks and he never touched them. Then I got the laser ....

Now I just noticed, that after I go and scorch the majano, he will literally come right over and finish off the job for me and start eating the cooked flesh. It's pretty cool.

So apparently, my filefish just likes the steak well done. lol... hey fish can be picky eaters too I guess.

 

[petemichelle]

I noticed that too with the other stuff I cook like hydroids. a bit about majanos, and aptasias. I noticed that if i zap them with the laser then I get a lot of babies. seem they have enough time to spit them out before dying. I will continue to use aphasias X from red sea for those. but for other things like problem unwanted zoas, hydroids, evening out of control encrusting montiporas, they are great. I also found out that it will definitely kill off cyano, or spiralina. killed off a quarter size spot of it and it has never come back. also Best Lasers are great. they have a warehouse in california, and one on the east coast which carry the lasers in stock, which means not having to worry about something coming from overseas and getting seized by customs. I am also in california. I got my 5 watt laser in 2 days. great response. answered every question, even sent me a free laser gift.