MarsAqua LED question

Nihilus · Oct 18, 2016

I just received my 165 watt fixture the other day and while I haven't hung it over the tank yet I did plug it in to see how it looked. The lights looked great but the fans didn't seem to come on. Am I missing something here?

saltyfilmfolks · Oct 18, 2016

Nihilus said:
I just received my 165 watt fixture the other day and while I haven't hung it over the tank yet I did plug it in to see how it looked. The lights looked great but the fans didn't seem to come on. Am I missing something here?

did you let it run and heat up?

Coastie Reefer · Oct 18, 2016

I don't think the fans come on till you ramp it up to a certain percentage... I don't own one, but a friend does.

Nihilus · Oct 18, 2016

saltyfilmfolks said:
did you let it run and heat up?

No I did not. I fiddled with the knobs a bit but overall the light was only on for maybe thirty seconds or so. I'm guessing they have some sort of built in thermostat or something?

cohlton · Oct 18, 2016

The fans turn on when you turn up the intensity

Nihilus · Oct 18, 2016

Ok, thank you.

Nihilus · Oct 19, 2016

One more question regarding the MarsAqua light. This will be going over a standard 20 gallon tank. How high above the water should I hang the fixture? Thanks.

cohlton · Oct 19, 2016

I had mine hung 8 inches above water on my aquapod

Nihilus · Oct 19, 2016

How big is an Aquapod?

Js.Aqua.Project · Oct 19, 2016

Nihilus said:
One more question regarding the MarsAqua light. This will be going over a standard 20 gallon tank. How high above the water should I hang the fixture? Thanks.

Mine are about 18" above the water in my tank. I have 3 over a 125.

saltyfilmfolks · Oct 19, 2016

Nihilus said:
One more question regarding the MarsAqua light. This will be going over a standard 20 gallon tank. How high above the water should I hang the fixture? Thanks.

IMO turn the light on and hold it over the tank or a space roughly the same size. you want it to hit the edges of the rim of the tank.
be careful setting intensity(i use a lux meter), those things are VERY powerful. if its a smaller tank and its so high up it's silly, you can pull the lenses to increase spread and lower the light.

Nihilus · Oct 19, 2016

saltyfilmfolks said:
IMO turn the light on and hold it over the tank or a space roughly the same size. you want it to hit the edges of the rim of the tank.
be careful setting intensity(i use a lux meter), those things are VERY powerful. if its a smaller tank and its so high up it's silly, you can pull the lenses to increase spread and lower the light.

What if I measure the dimensions of the tank and use some masking tape to make an outline on the floor. Lay the light down flat in the middle of it and turn it on. Start lifting it slowly until the light hits the edges and measure the height. Sound like a plan?

On a side note; somebody mentioned that removing the lenses will cause a greater shimmer effect. Is this true? Thanks.

saltyfilmfolks · Oct 19, 2016

Nihilus said:
What if I measure the dimensions of the tank and use some masking tape to make an outline on the floor. Lay the light down flat in the middle of it and turn it on. Start lifting it slowly until the light hits the edges and measure the height. Sound like a plan?

On a side note; somebody mentioned that removing the lenses will cause a greater shimmer effect. Is this true?

That works perfectly. I used a carpet in this.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/my-cherry-30-cube-saltyfilmfolks.248152/

And no it reduces it so its not a focused beam(kessil) anymore. I have two tanks, one w an sbreeflight a black box, and the other has 3 ai sol. I selectively pulled my lenses. I still have shimmer but its not crazy now.