My new toy from Aqua Illuminations

Hypertek99 · May 18, 2009

Post more pics when you have them up!!

FateX8 · May 18, 2009

Stoneyscoral said:
So the light will be over the tank next week.

didnt you say that a week ago?!
lol get it done!!!

CherryCorals · May 18, 2009

I was in Florida!!!!!

Trust me I want this thing in NOW!

stunreefer · May 18, 2009

Stoneyscoral said:
I am picking up the end panels to the big tank on Thursday and hope to con the guys into assembling it this weekend.

:dribble: :dribble: :dribble:

See ya Saturday

jtma508 · May 23, 2009

I'm amazed and pleased at how quickly AI jumped on the LIFI emitters. Besides PAR readings around the tank and various 'dim' levels opf the device it would be helpful to get some temp readings of the air between the fixture and water surface. Also, I'm no expert on lighting by any stretch but from what I've read about the LIFI emitters they seem best suited to applications where the light source is far above the area to be lighted. Given that we typically have lights 6-8" above the water how will this device provide adequate spread? Perhaps we should try orienting the emitter so that it fires up into a reflector (a multi faceted one like a LuminArc or the like) to produce a more diffused light? Just a thought.

jtma508 · May 27, 2009

Wow. People across the boards seemed so interested in this yet no updates? Is there any new information/observations to share?

EliteReefs · May 27, 2009

jtma508 said:
I'm amazed and pleased at how quickly AI jumped on the LIFI emitters. Besides PAR readings around the tank and various 'dim' levels opf the device it would be helpful to get some temp readings of the air between the fixture and water surface. Also, I'm no expert on lighting by any stretch but from what I've read about the LIFI emitters they seem best suited to applications where the light source is far above the area to be lighted. Given that we typically have lights 6-8" above the water how will this device provide adequate spread? Perhaps we should try orienting the emitter so that it fires up into a reflector (a multi faceted one like a LuminArc or the like) to produce a more diffused light? Just a thought.

I bet if something like this works that we start seeing things like solo tubs where the bulb is inside a housing that uses mirrors to reflect and intensify the output in various spreads and intensity. .

CherryCorals · May 27, 2009

No updates because my stupid tank is still not in!!!

I am going to play around with it this weekend and get some shots over one of my prop tanks. Maybe a video of it firing up.

FateX8 · May 27, 2009

such a tease! lol

jtma508 · Jun 1, 2009

I've been doing some research on these emitters. As I understand it, the cost for a single emitter/driver is $450. You also need to add a 28v DC power supply to power the driver as well as a suitable reflector. Seems like it could be fairly pricey other than the fact that bulb replacement is all but elminated.

jc5205 · Jun 1, 2009

I saw this the other day and was I impressed.
Could not beleive how bright this thing is, the pics dont even come close to showing this. I see a ton of potential.
1) How bright it is
2) Low heat generated - would have never beleived it if i didnt see it and touch it
3) great spread - 2 will be plenty for that monster tank
4) "Green" - Electric bill
5) dimmable - long over due for lighting
6) - Just plain sweeet

Len · Jun 1, 2009

I'm more interested in the nice wide spectrum this has. It more closely resembles natural daylight. And that's good for our tanks inhabitants optimal health.

CherryCorals · Jun 1, 2009

Here is a neat little detail for those of us who will want it a little more blue.

The Reef Keeper Elite can dim this bad boy via the RKM-ALC module.

Just a few more days!!!!

Poseidon · Jun 1, 2009

Dimmable from an easy to use controller???? WOW!!!! This just got a whole lot more interesting!

Paintguru · Jun 1, 2009

jtma508 said:
I've been doing some research on these emitters. As I understand it, the cost for a single emitter/driver is $450. You also need to add a 28v DC power supply to power the driver as well as a suitable reflector. Seems like it could be fairly pricey other than the fact that bulb replacement is all but elminated.

Figure bulbs are $50-100 per 1-1.5 years and this pays for the price difference within 2-3 years.

jtma508 · Jun 2, 2009

I queried Luxim about the emitter and they quoted me $1,000 for an emitter, power supply and GUI interface (so you can address/dim the emitter). I mentioned in my query that my application was to prototype reef aquarium lighting and the engineer that responded said a number of customers were also doing this. She said that since the emitter is a point light source, the ideal design approach would be to employ light pipes (optical wave guides) to direct and spread the illumination over the tank. It sounds like this may be a bit more complicated that putting the emitter in a reflector --- which was my initial instinct when I first read about these. Anyone have any experience with light pipes?

CherryCorals · Jun 6, 2009

The monstor tank is firmly set for install on Monday so this unit will finally be put into service this week.

Look for a build thread here with lots of pics of the tank, stand, and of course the Plasma bulb in action.