The Modified Black Box Thread

[rushbattle]

As far as telling which lenses are which, Im sorry, I'm not sure.

A few questions:

I run these over my 6ft 125. 3 165w boxes. I'm running them at 12" above water line with all my lenses pulled and I'm getting 300 par at the tops of my rocks with 60% blues and 20% whites. How high up are you hanging yours?

I have two SBReef basics with 120 degree lenses, hung about 9" off the surface of a 32x24 tank. 12 inches into the tank I get about 125 PPFD (PAR), at 85% Blue and 60% White channels.

 

[McPikie]

Hi, I have mine at 12" above the tank now running 100% blue and about 60% white. I haven't tested the par at these settings as I stupidly sold the seneye on - kicking myself for that now. I have two braces on my tank and I'm hoping if I change the stock 60 lenses for 90s I can refuce the shadowing they cause. I've got the bits, just need a few hours of peace to do it.

I've never heard of 60deg lenses, only 90 and 120. I guess you could buy a load of spare 90 lenses. I'd go for 120s on your reds and greens to help them mix better.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-X-90-...h=item33e1471689:g:d5UAAOSwZfNadeYc:rk:3:pf:0

 

[Owen77]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mars-Aqu...LPS-SPS/264108376281?var=&hash=item3d7e1600d9

It does say 60deg lenses in the adverts though I hope they are as otherwise I've just wasted money on 90degree lenses!

 

[McPikie]

60deg is far too punchy in my opinion, you're not going to get a great colour mix with that

 

[Owen77]

60deg is far too punchy in my opinion, you're not going to get a great colour mix with that

I decided last night to do one of the boxes, only took me an hour to change 4 of the whites to blues and put the other lenses in. I haven't had a chance to actually look at the difference its made yet - can't wait to get home and check it out.

 

[Owen77]

So done the lot, changed the lenses out and replaced 4 leds in each unit. However there was a at least a dozen blue leds that looked like they had melted but were still working, im assuming the output from those will be less than ideal but I just couldn't face changing them at the time with my crappy soldering iron! Anyway, im not even sure I can notice any difference in colour or distribution. I have just bought a seneye cheap so ill have play with that next and see what we have. Cheers.

 

[McPikie]

I had to replace a load of blues on mine which looked like they had fried but were still putting out light. I've never had a PAR check on it though

 

[Reefs of Space]

Just got this 20" black box. I like the diode setup but I'm thinking about changing some of the whites out. Any suggestions?

 

[Reefs of Space]

Just pulled the lenses and ordered the diodes. I still have an iron and solder leftover from a diy I did years ago

 

[Flippers4pups]

Just got this 20" black box. I like the diode setup but I'm thinking about changing some of the whites out. Any suggestions?

420nm would help.

Just pulled the lenses and ordered the diodes. I still have an iron and solder leftover from a diy I did years ago

Got to do mine soon. Pretty easy actually.

 

[Reefs of Space]

Bought some 420nm, 440nm, 390nm, and 10000k cool whites.

 

[Reefs of Space]

This is how the new layout will be.
55 3w leds
2-390nm
7-410nm
2-420nm
10-440nm
18-470nm
2-520nm Green
2-660nm Red
2-3000k
4-6500k
6-10000k

 

[Ashley Kekua]

this so interesting any woman try this too or just me?

 

[Ashley Kekua]

MARS AQUA Unofficial PAR measurements via Seneye Reef Monitor and LX-1010B LUX meter.
This is a round about measurement of the Mars Aqua reef LED light at 12 inches above water. This light unit has 90° lenses on all blue channel diodes and 120° lenses on all white channel diodes.

Description / Kelvin / PAR / PUR / LUX
White ON 1%-- 6,572 - 68 - 60% - 5,110
White Fan ON 30%-- 6,777 - 125 - 60% - 10,190
White Est. 50% -- 7,184 - 215 - 61% - 17,050
White 100% -- 7,226 - 401 - 62% - 31,200

Blue ON 1% -- 52- 76%- 5,260
Blue Fan ON 30% -- 115- 77%- 10,250
Blue Est. 50% -- 155- 77%- 15,220
Blue 100%-- 355- 78%- 30,700

White/Blue ON(50/50)-- 132- 67%- 10,500
W/B Fan ON 30%(50/50)-- 216- 68%- 19,150
W/B Est. 50/50%-- 401- 68%- 30,900
W/B 100% (50/50)-- 830- 69%- 61,000

Common User Settings
W/B 30%/70% -- 385- 72%- 32,800
W/B 50%/100%-- 550- 71%- 45,500

Kelvin measurements did not register after blue channel was initiated.

thank you for share!

 

[Ashley Kekua]

It's still happening with the other dimmer, so I tried switching The driver or power supply. Still doing it. It's more like turning off and on slowly rather than flickering, and it only does it when it's turned up more than about 80%. One of the blue leds is out, but there are resistors.

how to you fix this problem

 

[Reefs of Space]

how to you fix this problem

I gave up on it and bought a new one on Amazon and sent the old one back in the new box and got a refund.

 

[Ashley Kekua]

My 16in SBreeflight. 12in above a 20x20x18 cube @40,000 lux. 80% on all channels.

why you take off most lens but not all lens for what purpose to do?

 

[Flippers4pups]

why you take off most lens but not all lens for what purpose to do?

Took mine off too. Better color blending and light spread.

 

[Ashley Kekua]

Yep, my 450nm alone at 30% was a PUR of 85 and my 480nm also alone at 30% had a PUR of 74.
ROUND 2! PAR Shootout! Seneye Reef Monitor v2 VS. Apex PMK vs. Apogee MQ-510 Full

So, if there's a shift toward that 470nm range that would drop the PUR.

so to think 450 nm is better color for corals???

 

[Steven Garland]

so to think 450 nm is better color for corals???

Absolutely !!