I just finished installing my new LED’s -------- AGAIN!
I first started using LED’s when I decided to replace my MH/PC fixture, as it was going to be the same investment to replace the lamp’s/tubes. I only bought two and learned that three would have been a better solution. So, for a while I tried to add another fixture, but they redesigned them, adding a removable power cord, and I was unable to mount them. I did try an AI SOL, but it just wasn’t enough spread and/or penetration, by itself. So, when a great deal came along for a T-5 fixture, I decided to give it a try. The shortcoming to this plan was that the T-5 was only 48", and I’ve got a 72" tank. I had a number of Ecoxotic Stunner strips and Panorama modules that I thought would fill in the 12" on either side of the T-5. Unfortunately it just wasn’t a good solution. So, I purchased a few new fixtures direct from e.shine, and just finished installing them. I have the dimmers at about 80% in the FTS.
Latest FTS:
The first thing I noticed is that with the optics on these fixtures most of the light is actually being focused down into the tank, instead of the sides, back and into the room. So, there is a lot less light spillage. Secondly, although it has a single large fan, it is almost totally silent.
T-5 FTS:
Again, lots of light, but you can see how much light is hitting the back and side of the tank.
Original LED’s FTS:
A little shady in the center, which is were I had the AI Sol, but these fixtures only had the 120[sup]o[/sup] lenses, and without the optics, there is a significant amount of light on the back and sides of the tank.
Nice looking lights Jim. I think it would be nice to be able to run it with out those T5s for the light spread. How deep is your tank? it seems depth penetration is not a problem.
[quote=“reefman66, post:3, topic:5640”]
Nice looking lights Jim. I think it would be nice to be able to run it with out those T5s for the light spread. How deep is your tank? it seems depth penetration is not a problem. [/quote]
Thanks A. The tank is 72" x 24" x 24", so I used one fixture for every two feet of tank surface. The fixtures are hung about 5" from the surface, and I have a DSB, so in reality the bottom is more like 20". I think these fixtures would be able to handle a 30" tank hung up to 12" above the water, since I had them add a couple of rows of 60[sup]o[/sup] optics.
Here’s the mounting:
Although I did have to replace the hanger tabs with some 1/4 - 20 bolts:
[quote=“beadlocked450r, post:6, topic:5640”]
I was just looking at your new lights,I didn’t notice them being dimmable?unless you buy the solar setup?but that has t5 built in.[/quote]
The two knobs along side of the power cords are the dimmers. I considered the solar simulator’s, but they were somewhat on the large side, and you would need one for each fixture since they can’t be daisy chained. And since I have to keep everything for this tank in the cabinet, space is at a real premium.
[quote=“beadlocked450r, post:8, topic:5640”]
Price?Can they be hooked to a controller?[/quote]
The white and blue power cords can be plugged into an reefkeeper or apex for on/off timing, or a programmable digital timer, but the dimming and blue/white balance is done with the manual potentiometers.
