The future in Reefing!

makingbubbles · Apr 10, 2010

I Know that many of you out there like me already know this. but this is for the ones that still dont know. I have heard about plasma bulbs being used in tanks recently and heres a video that popped up on youtube explaining the plasma bulbs capabilities. YouTube - Plasma Light Bulb I have heard of one pet store down here in houston having a plasma setup. was wondering if anyone on here has started experimenting with them?

Supreme Reefs · Apr 10, 2010

That is sweeeeeeettt! Id also like to see one set up on a reef tank!

m and m · Apr 10, 2010

Cherry corals has a tank using plasma

Kbra · Apr 10, 2010

Plasma Light for Reef Aquariums by Aqua Illumination and Luxim, Tested by Cherry Corals | glassbox-design.com

MAKcorals · Apr 10, 2010

Sick! Looking into these right now.

ibnozn · Apr 13, 2010

Looks cool but the STA-40 emitter from Luxim runs $680.00?

yellojello · Apr 13, 2010

Yea, I read an article in the hydroponics magazine about plasma, and they are quite expensive. So were LED's at first, so eventually, the price will come down. The days were MH vs T5, now it will become LED vs Plasma...

someone should try putting their flat panel tv's on top of their tank!

deepseafrags · Apr 13, 2010

Wow!!

jestersix · Apr 13, 2010

I just picked up two of the Seashine Plasmas from Stray Light Optical for my new 150 gallon build - I'll post some pics soon. Should have a chance with a PAR meter this weekend as well, so we shall see. Sadly my dimmer system is not ready, so it will be full bore or nothing for the first round of through the air tests.

stunreefer · Apr 13, 2010

m and m said:
Cherry corals has a tank using plasma

Not anymore

nayrgaijin · Apr 13, 2010

stunreefer said:
Not anymore

Ohhhh goodie does this meen someone else does now? Someone with a 180g? haha

stunreefer · Apr 13, 2010

LOL, nope... my corals are not a fan of light, at all!

The one they were trying out was basically a first generation prototype: Plasma Light for Reef Aquariums by Aqua Illumination and Luxim, Tested by Cherry Corals | glassbox-design.com

That unit did not have the ability to dim, and once warmed up emmited a 6.5K esque light... reminded me of snorkling at about 6 feet. In other words it was quite yellow, no blue whatsoever. Besides that the heat sink got extremely hot, and made them a bit nervous to continuously run the unit. The tank in that link now has T5's and a MH above it.

These do have lots of potential, and have been utilized in public aquaria and are just starting to be seen around the hobby in DIY applications. I'm not convinced they'll "take over" a certain sector, but you never know.

jestersix · Apr 13, 2010

Couple of test pictures...

Still waiting for my Reefkeeper so I can set up the dimming function...

rybitski · May 24, 2010

We use these things in theatrical lighting and they are amazing. The life on these bulbs is phenominal compared to the halogens bulbs that we used to use in our fixtures