Orphek Atlantik V4 Compact Diffuser

[Simon Lipscombe]

Hey everyone,

I'm running the Orphek Atlantik V4 Compact over my tank, and I'd like an option for diffusing it. I know Orphek doesn't make a diffuser, and I can't find any custom made diffusers online. Does anyone know a safe way to DIY a diffuser?

 

[WhiteTailFish]

Hey everyone,

I'm running the Orphek Atlantik V4 Compact over my tank, and I'd like an option for diffusing it. I know Orphek doesn't make a diffuser, and I can't find any custom made diffusers online. Does anyone know a safe way to DIY a diffuser?

Awesome dude, the Atlantik would be my dream light but I'm probably gonna settle on the RazorX for my imminent Reefer 350 build. I've been curious about DIY diffusion options given how many people complain about harsh shimmer and disco light effects with LEDs but the options look pretty slim. I guess most just live with it or don't want to mess with their light output, or those who care enough about this issue opt to raise their lights to get better blend or add T5s to soften the light.

Anyway I don't have a direct answer but I have done some Googling and seems like some keywords to start with would be "polycarbonate LED diffuser sheets". Alibaba has many options that look good but minimum orders are by the ton! I've also seen videos where film pros use silkscreen or wax paper to soften the LEDs they use to light the set. I might try this once I get my lights, but one would probably want to do tests with PAR meter and spectrometer to make sure you can still grow stuff and none of the light spectrums are being filtered.

I'll keep researching and I can come up with something I'll post back. I do think that this is an area DYI'ers could come up with some interesting options.

 

[Simon Lipscombe]

Awesome dude, the Atlantik would be my dream light but I'm probably gonna settle on the RazorX for my imminent Reefer 350 build. I've been curious about DIY diffusion options given how many people complain about harsh shimmer and disco light effects with LEDs but the options look pretty slim. I guess most just live with it or don't want to mess with their light output, or those who care enough about this issue opt to raise their lights to get better blend or add T5s to soften the light.

Anyway I don't have a direct answer but I have done some Googling and seems like some keywords to start with would be "polycarbonate LED diffuser sheets". Alibaba has many options that look good but minimum orders are by the ton! I've also seen videos where film pros use silkscreen or wax paper to soften the LEDs they use to light the set. I might try this once I get my lights, but one would probably want to do tests with PAR meter and spectrometer to make sure you can still grow stuff and none of the light spectrums are being filtered.

I'll keep researching and I can come up with something I'll post back. I do think that this is an area DYI'ers could come up with some interesting options.

The Razor series of lights are honestly really good, they'd be my go-to if Orphek weren't around.

I ended up buying a sheet of clear acrylic from home depot, sanding it down so the faces are frosted, and using the existing screws in the fixture to mount the panel over the face of the light. I've read that others have used acrylic panels for this purpose with minimal par loss, and though the sheet hasn't totally removed the disco ball effect from the tank, it's definitely made a difference!

 

[WhiteTailFish]

The Razor series of lights are honestly really good, they'd be my go-to if Orphek weren't around.

I ended up buying a sheet of clear acrylic from home depot, sanding it down so the faces are frosted, and using the existing screws in the fixture to mount the panel over the face of the light. I've read that others have used acrylic panels for this purpose with minimal par loss, and though the sheet hasn't totally removed the disco ball effect from the tank, it's definitely made a difference!

Good idea! You are still getting some spotting? Just curious, how high are the lights mounted?

 

[Simon Lipscombe]

Yeah, but it's still an improvement either way. If I'd been able to mount the diffusion plate an inch or so off the light, I'd have basically no color separation. Hopefully soon I'll find a way to make that happen, but for now I'm happy with the result. The lights about 12.5" off the surface of the water.

 

[WhiteTailFish]

Thanks for sharing the pics! Looks pretty good and doesn't really look out of place. It actually took me a few seconds to see the extra acrylic you added. Your tank is lit up beautifully btw! that's why I love the Orpheks.

Good point about mounting the diffusion plate an inch off, that way the light has a chance to blend a bit naturally before hitting the diffusion plate which blends it further.
If I were in your boots, I'd bring one of the screws holding the faceplate to a "nuts and bolts" shop in my town and ask if they have one (or four) like it that is about an inch longer. They should be able to recognise the type of screw pretty easily. Couple that with some 1 inch spacers/standoffs to put in between both pieces of acrylic and you should be GTG.

When I get my lights, if I decide I need to add diffusion, I might try out sticking on a peice of Micro Prism acrylic plate like this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/OPTIX-Acrylic-Micro-Prism-Glaze-2-ft-x-4-ft-Lay-in-Ceiling-Light-Panel-1A90001A/207054944. My thought is that the prism design would promote light blending and blocks less light than matt sheet would. At only $10 a sheet, it would be a worthy experiment.

 

[Simon Lipscombe]

Good point about mounting the diffusion plate an inch off, that way the light has a chance to blend a bit naturally before hitting the diffusion plate which blends it further.
If I were in your boots, I'd bring one of the screws holding the faceplate to a "nuts and bolts" shop in my town and ask if they have one (or four) like it that is about an inch longer. They should be able to recognise the type of screw pretty easily. Couple that with some 1 inch spacers/standoffs to put in between both pieces of acrylic and you should be GTG.

Update time!

Thanks for the suggestion, though I wasn't able to find the screws I needed locally (at least ones that were long enough) I ended up ordering them from Amazon as well as some compatible nuts. Now the diffusion plate is about 1.5" off the light, and it's made a huge difference honestly.

The edges of the plate itself are still a bit rough, and the screw holes are a bit off center, so it's not super pretty, but it works and it's not the ugliest thing ever, so I think I'm happy with it.

 

[Simon Lipscombe]

Update part 2:

I recently bought a Seneye, since I've been wanting to have a PAR meter on hand, and so I could finally test how my custom diffuser effects the intensity of light in my tank.

I know that many people have concerns about diffusers stunting PAR, and that some acrylic plates are known to filter out UV light entirely. My PAR with the diffuser plate did drop significantly (roughly 40%), so I did have to crank up my light's intensity. However, PUR seems to be uneffected.

As for UV light specifically, I'm happy to report that the acrylic sheet I used seems to not have filtered out an excessive amount of UV. I turned all channels except for the UV channel off, and tested par with and without the diffuser plate, and my results were consistent with the other channels.

If anyone is curious, this is the acrylic panel that I used: https://www.homedepot.com/p/OPTIX-1...ar-Non-Glare-Acrylic-Sheet-1X09242A/301138329

 

[lancesmith1]

IME Orphek should offer a diffuser or add one as standard. I had a full size Atlantik but could not take the spotlighting it created. I wonder if you could just sand the acrilyc panel that comes on the light and get the same result?

 

[hart24601]

I'm surprised you needed the diffuser being that high, or maybe it's just the picture. I have my full size fixture mounted 15" above the waterline and have not seen any color separation and I hated that with my radions. But it's very cool documentation for anyone that wants to do the same!

 

[Orphek Verified Sponsor]

Hi Simon ,
We studied the subject for one year with many types of materials , till we found the best one,that not effect the spectrum at all and almost not loose other light parameters.
Hopefully it will ready soon and can buy it at BRS.

 

[hart24601]

@Bulk Reef Supply Please!

 

[ericbtrout]

Hey everyone,

I'm running the Orphek Atlantik V4 Compact over my tank, and I'd like an option for diffusing it. I know Orphek doesn't make a diffuser, and I can't find any custom made diffusers online. Does anyone know a safe way to DIY a diffuser?

I am thinking about two of the V4 compacts on a 120g mixed reef tank. Do you like the lights? I have also been looking at the red sea 90 led but I am having trouble deciding. Any insight would be helpful.

 

[Nmb]

Hi Simon ,
We studied the subject for one year with many types of materials , till we found the best one,that not effect the spectrum at all and almost not loose other light parameters.
Hopefully it will ready soon and can buy it at BRS.

Any update on the diffuser panel? Thanks.

 

[sabor]

Bump. Need some diffusers

 

[TeJ]

I’m interested too, any ideas on when I can get some?

 

[leepink23]

Hi Simon ,
We studied the subject for one year with many types of materials , till we found the best one,that not effect the spectrum at all and almost not loose other light parameters.
Hopefully it will ready soon and can buy it at BRS.

Any updates on diffusers for the Orphek?

 

[Orphek Verified Sponsor]

Any updates on diffusers for the Orphek?

Thank you for asking , we hope that next month all be ready at local stores .
First photos of the product you can find here

 

[leepink23]

Thank you for asking , we hope that next month all be ready at local stores .
First photos of the product you can find here

Which stores should have this?

 

[Orphek Verified Sponsor]

Which stores should have this?

Hi lee , the there is some delay as we are making a better diffuser sheet .