My new toy from Aqua Illuminations

[CherryCorals Verified Sponsor]

Here is the new plasma bulb retro fitted into a Lumenarc reflector. This is brand new technology and we are going to test it over my new tank to see how various corals respond. Chris plans to develop it for the aquarium once there is more data.

My pub room tank is 95"x42"x26" and I honestly think I can get away with two of these lights. The spread and intensity is unreal.

I will have some hard data to share later.

The unit(that little dot in the middle is the bulb)

Just firing up, its completely dimmable. Its a very white 10k look when running full tilt but as its dimmed down the color goes to a very nice blue kinda like this.

Its getting warmed up now (on for roughly 60 seconds)

There is alot of ambient light in this room but this light outshines it.

I am told that this is more energy efficient than metal halides with a very long bulb life.

Many thanks to Chris from Aqua Illuminations for letting me play with this!!!!

More info to come and of course pics over the tank once I have some water in it. This will be a combination build thread/Plasma bulb thread.

 

[FaviaFreak]

very cool! please keep us updated to how the corals respond!!

 

[Paul_N]

Interesting, will definitely be following along.

 

[Azurel]

That's sweet Todd....Always fun playing with new toys that nobody else has....Keep us updated.

 

[CherryCorals Verified Sponsor]

I sure will!!

Chris from AI is working on the dimmer now. I like a bit more blue.

 

[JuniorMC8704]

did i mention how cool it is being friends with Todd....always something new to play with...=)


Ill bring my par meter with me....

 

[Chris22582]

Thats sweet Im going have to see how this goes. Any idea what kinda price range they would be in? Would it be closer to halides or LED's.

 

[Ldogg]

Man Todd that thing is insane.

 

[CherryCorals Verified Sponsor]

Chris didn't say how much these will be.

There is still alot of work to do so it will be a while before pricing will be released. First we have to see how corals respond!!

Junior, I think you can get away with just one of these on your tank!!!

 

[Poseidon]

With a bulb that small, the ballast has to be as big as a couch right????

That thing is AWESOME COOL!!! I need to check that out!

 

[Ldogg]

how hot does it get? what about below the reflector? it would be sweet if it was not as hot as say a MH bulb.

 

[Poseidon]

I remember reading that it gets VERY VERY Hot, but it is also so very small that it should have little effect on tank temp.

 

[CherryCorals Verified Sponsor]

It gets pretty toasty. I haven't measured it myself but Chris said that the bulb is about 400 degrees.

I am able to hold the fixture in my hand for these pics so its not that bad.

 

[ficklefins]

I just read about this online today and i think if it has applications in the hobby it would awesome!

 

[EliteReefs]

not a ton of info in this video but it is atleast interesting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTGsM9pplUs

 

[CherryCorals Verified Sponsor]

I am excited!!

 

[JuniorMC8704]

Well Todd, im happy to demo them over my 300 for a few years for a long term review =)~

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Very Cool! Where do we buy stock at?

 

[EliteReefs]

Very Cool! Where do we buy stock at?

not just yet bud lol. you see how led turned out haha. lets hope this has a better result

 

[Azurel]

Lets hope they get the patent right now and not wait for someone to take it out from under them..