clayphx Posted August 25, 2011 Author Share Posted August 25, 2011 Wouldnt you need a driver like a meanwell though I know nothing about drivers , etc. But these strips are on a variable voltage adapter; 12 volts is what it requires. If I click down to 9 volts it is slightly dimmer. Then it goes off. My bad in that the moonlights do have a "driver" ? that allows you to click down four levels before going dark. I thought the picos were the same. Link to comment
darthvictor Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Thanks for explaining it in detail, clayphx. I am planning to get the Edge and those ecopico led with the MR16 bulbs. I was thinking to get a 4 ways splitter (as they have switches) and get 2 white strips and one blue strips; one of the white strips strict to the back cover for the AC20 which I will change it to a fuge and light up the chaeto ... so I can just use the splitter switch to turn on the chaeto light and the blue strip for moonlight at night... but I guess that shouldn't work as the heat will build up at the back cover. (It will be a overkill lighting for chaeto as well I guess) Is the Edge boom metal? I don't really remember if it is metal or plastic now... if it is metal it can act as heatsink. They come with heat resistant sticky tape and two small screws. And YES they get hot! As in "did I just burn my finger?" hot so be wary. I used a single screw on the first two (mounted to the boom). I only used one bc I wasn't sure about the heat issue. The third is mounted just behind the rectangular boom and is mounted on both sides with the sticky tape (to the spongy standoffs). That one...by happenstance...has the best position for heat release. I haven't noticed any heat build up but there are 3 holes in the top of the boom. I'll check that out. I really like the light! I DID manage to f'up the blue light on one strip. No warranty bc I cut the wires, not their transformer, etc. No big surprise there. Oh well...one blue and 7 white look awesome. I bought the all white bc the 2 white/blue was TOO blue for me. I use Chemi-Pure Elite. Not sure if that makes a difference or not. They claim a blue white crystal clear hue or similar and it's true! I tried Super Strength hot glue for mounting the Pro LEDs and that did not work. Used contact cement to adhere the rubber standoffs to the hood and then screwed into the rubber. I would not want to used contact cement on the picos though. They are so light there are many solutions. A zip tie will take care of a lot in seconds! Using zip ties to finish off here. They come up the side and then down the back. I have these going behind (vs down the tunnel/shaft) and have quick disconnects on the lighting. I moved the moonlight LEDs (formerly 6 down to 3) into the center of the boom. Neatens it all up quite a bit! Previously had them mounted inside the front edge of the cover. Link to comment
MFChop Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Is the Edge boom metal? I don't really remember if it is metal or plastic now... if it is metal it can act as heatsink. Plastic Link to comment
clayphx Posted August 25, 2011 Author Share Posted August 25, 2011 Thanks for explaining it in detail, clayphx. I am planning to get the Edge and those ecopico led with the MR16 bulbs. I was thinking to get a 4 ways splitter (as they have switches) and get 2 white strips and one blue strips; one of the white strips strict to the back cover for the AC20 which I will change it to a fuge and light up the chaeto ... so I can just use the splitter switch to turn on the chaeto light and the blue strip for moonlight at night... but I guess that shouldn't work as the heat will build up at the back cover. (It will be a overkill lighting for chaeto as well I guess) Is the Edge boom metal? I don't really remember if it is metal or plastic now... if it is metal it can act as heatsink. I think the ecopicos plus MR16s will be A LOT of light in there. Not very deep remember. Prior to this I had two MR11s (bright white - 160nm?) and two 50/50 CFLs and that was a HAPPY reef. Here's the thread on that. In fact, was a little concerned switching...it's even HAPPIER now. I have had great luck, chi, whatever with this tank...especially being my first SW! I know a little bit about a fuge and chaeto. My base was 6+ lbs live rock, waited 2 weeks and the cycle completed beautifully. At one time I had three fish: clownfish, green clown goby and a barnacle blenny. Lost the GCG and blenny. Never saw them again. Waited a month or so and added a small YCG. I think that maxes it from my standpoint. I'm liking more reef and less fish. LOVE Petey though! I am not certain there is an all blue pico strip...??? Would that be too much light for moonlights? They are at 460+ nm. My moons are simply blue LEDs...very low output...I think that's how it's suppose to be. Still learning. If you leave the blues on at night or some...the corals will still be photosynthesizing bc of the wavelength of the blue light. That's the primary reason for having blue light waves, right? To enhance photosynthesis? The boom is PLASTIC. Good old molded if-you-break-it-you're-screwed American...maybe Chinese...plastic. The top is well vented with nearly the entire top being metal mesh. PS Just found this basic write up on blue light wavelengths and photosynthesis: The wavelength most effective in conducting photosynthesis is 420nm. Actually, 420nm is on the blue side of the spectrum, which makes up between 1 and 10% of the light needed for photosythesis. There is a plateau on the blue side when comparing blue wavelength effects on photosynthesis, and 420nm is right on the edge of it. Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Which_wavelength...s#ixzz1W3IwtFHo Link to comment
darthvictor Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Well the only thing that worries me about the ecopico led light on the boom is the heat, I don't want the led to burn out that fast as heat is always bad for LED... I guess I will start with the MR16 bulbs and see how things go. Yes they have the ecopico all blue light strip, same price as the all white or 2white1blue strip. Link to comment
clayphx Posted August 25, 2011 Author Share Posted August 25, 2011 Well the only thing that worries me about the ecopico led light on the boom is the heat, I don't want the led to burn out that fast as heat is always bad for LED... I guess I will start with the MR16 bulbs and see how things go. Yes they have the ecopico all blue light strip, same price as the all white or 2white1blue strip. Heat doesn't seem to be an issue for me. Btw, the picos DO have a metal strip on the back...a heatsink of sorts. Anyway just checked and the light surfaces are not hot. The plastic isn't hot behind the two screwed to the boom. The third has the metal side exposed and isn't very hot (not as I remember) but the middle blue light is fubar. Good luck with whatever combo you try. Post a thread! Link to comment
darthvictor Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Thanks for checking it for me for sure will post a thread when I get it! Thanks again for all the information Heat doesn't seem to be an issue for me. Btw, the picos DO have a metal strip on the back...a heatsink of sorts. Anyway just checked and the light surfaces are not hot. The plastic isn't hot behind the two screwed to the boom. The third has the metal side exposed and isn't very hot (not as I remember) but the middle blue light is fubar. Good luck with whatever combo you try. Post a thread! Link to comment
clayphx Posted August 25, 2011 Author Share Posted August 25, 2011 Thanks for checking it for me for sure will post a thread when I get it! Thanks again for all the information You bet. Always nice to share, teach and LEARN! Link to comment
darthvictor Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Do you usually do weekly water change? I am still wondering if I can go for 2weeks vacation if I dive into this hobby... Link to comment
clayphx Posted August 29, 2011 Author Share Posted August 29, 2011 Do you usually do weekly water change? I am still wondering if I can go for 2weeks vacation if I dive into this hobby... I CAN skip because of Chemi Pure Elite. It is AMAZING. My levels are always perfect ...nitrates and all. I have skipped weekly a couple of times just to see if their claims are true. It feels weird though! Link to comment
darthvictor Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Wow that's great! looks like I need to get one of those as backup. Thanks man! I CAN skip because of Chemi Pure Elite. It is AMAZING. My levels are always perfect ...nitrates and all. I have skipped weekly a couple of times just to see if their claims are true. It feels weird though! Link to comment
darthvictor Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 Do you mind taking another pic of how your light mounted on the stand? I got the edge and the LED strips finally Link to comment
clayphx Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 Do you mind taking another pic of how your light mounted on the stand? I got the edge and the LED strips finally Not sure what exactly you're looking for here. Most/all of the photos are still in the thread. One page back are four. Let me know. Happy to help. Link to comment
darthvictor Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Not sure what exactly you're looking for here. Most/all of the photos are still in the thread. One page back are four. Let me know. Happy to help. Oh I was just wondering what did you use as support for the LED strips to stick them on the light arm. I now just use some frags epoxy to add more area for the led to sit onto. thanks tho Link to comment
clayphx Posted November 7, 2011 Author Share Posted November 7, 2011 Oh I was just wondering what did you use as support for the LED strips to stick them on the light arm. I now just use some frags epoxy to add more area for the led to sit onto. thanks tho Key point: EPOXY Link to comment
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