sammy113 Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 I don't know much about solaris and its components and settings but I can tell you I've had grat results from LEDs, My SPS is growing, I also have seen a huge color change both in SPS and zoas. Another thing to consider is that you got that for cheap and you won't need to replace bulbs in a few. T5 will need replacements in about 9 months? Heat is something else to think of... In the other hand, LED is so a new technology right now that there is a lot of new things coming out will continue to happen while the prices drop. Example: CREE had the Q4, Q5 where available the other day and now the new XP-G or something with even more lumens (which frustrates me) what will come next? Probably affordable 10W LEDs or something... Link to comment
Joker4132 Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 My 2 cents would be to stick with the Solaris, but run both the blue and whites at 70% each. I have been running LEDS for about 4 months now and the tank as been great. For the first month or two some corals needed some time to adjust, but once they did both color and growth have been great. The only corals which seems to hate my LED are a few shrooms I have. Sounds to me that your LPS need to be placed lower or at least shaded. Link to comment
TJ_Burton Posted February 4, 2010 Author Share Posted February 4, 2010 Valid points from both of you. I actually also got a response from Evil on the matter (via PM) and have turned the whites down further to 50% (since par from whites and blues is pretty much equal and I'd rather have the extra color). I will wait it out a while longer and see where it goes. Even if I sold the fixture and went with T5 for now (since I am used to it) I am sure there will be more affordable and better LED fixtures coming out over the next couple years which I could turn to further down the road. We will see. Link to comment
spanko Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 You got a less than working Solaris. You fixed and modded the thing to your needs. It has everything you need to run any kind of schedule - intensity you want. Isn't it just a matter of dialing it in now. I would hate to see you give up on it but understand the frustration that goes along with watching your coral perhaps suffering. YOU CAN DO EET!! STICK WITH IT!! Just my $0.02 Link to comment
TJ_Burton Posted February 4, 2010 Author Share Posted February 4, 2010 You got a less than working Solaris. You fixed and modded the thing to your needs. It has everything you need to run any kind of schedule - intensity you want.Isn't it just a matter of dialing it in now. I would hate to see you give up on it but understand the frustration that goes along with watching your coral perhaps suffering. YOU CAN DO EET!! STICK WITH IT!! Just my $0.02 Thanks Spanko! NOW - I could get my hands on an I5 that is BRAND NEW for a reasonable price, I would have to invest SOME money after selling the I4 but it might be worth it. I am going to explore that avenue today. Link to comment
Deleted User 6 Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 I think it'd be cheaper to replace a few LEDs than to buy a whole new unit, right? Also, what optics are you using? My little PAR38 bulb is doing wonders for my SPS. Do you think it could just be the fact that the corals are all in a new tank and have to go through an adjustment period? Link to comment
TJ_Burton Posted February 4, 2010 Author Share Posted February 4, 2010 I think it'd be cheaper to replace a few LEDs than to buy a whole new unit, right? Also, what optics are you using? My little PAR38 bulb is doing wonders for my SPS. Do you think it could just be the fact that the corals are all in a new tank and have to go through an adjustment period? I wouldn't have to buy new LEDs since I have a bunch of spare parts and a spare ballast. So really it doesn't cost anything to swap them out - but even the spares were from the same unit. The I5 also has 5 extra LED's per array and better coverage from what I have heard. I did consider that the corals would just be adjusting, but the params are identical to the previous tank where they were extremely happy. I used all the rock from the previous system, and a good chunk of the water. The only thing that is really different is the lighting. I am not saying it isn't possible that it is something else, but I am kind of stumped as to what else it could be. Pods, shrimp, urchin, starfish, cucumber etc. are all happy, the clams are happy, the xenia is happy, it's just a few LPS (not all) and most of the SPS less the deepwater acro that seem dissatisfied with something. I am going to see what I can convince the LFS to sell me the I5 for, if it is reasonable I will make the switch and stick with LEDs. If not I may just keep this unit if the new settings seem to make the corals happier. Link to comment
rtparty Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Why don't you contact Evil about using his PAR38 lamps instead of an I5? I would think that 4 of them over your tank would be plenty. You could sell the I4 and get some PAR38's from him. I understand they don't have all the extras that the I5 will but something to look into IMO. Link to comment
spanko Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 36" PFO I5 like $2,000. Is that what you are talking about????? Link to comment
TJ_Burton Posted February 4, 2010 Author Share Posted February 4, 2010 36" PFO I5 like $2,000.Is that what you are talking about????? Well I was going to go with a 24" again but I wouldn't be spending anywhere close to that amount. Link to comment
fiction101 Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Glad to see that you finally realize the Solaris fixtures are complete garbage! Why not just go with t-5? Link to comment
Deleted User 6 Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Why don't you contact Evil about using his PAR38 lamps instead of an I5? I would think that 4 of them over your tank would be plenty. You could sell the I4 and get some PAR38's from him. I was about to say this. You won't be able to dim (that I know of), but a japanese spotlight style 30b would be hot. Link to comment
TJ_Burton Posted February 4, 2010 Author Share Posted February 4, 2010 lol - The Solaris isn't inherently garbage, I think the issue is more that I am using one that was a salvage, and one of the earlier generation LED fixtures for a reef. That and I am not at all used to LED technology and its application on reef aquariums. I do like the idea of a Japanese Style lighting system, but I am not willing to drop $400+ on PAR38 bulbs. They look neat but they just don't really appeal to me all that much. I would rather be able to dim, or use T5 and have the ability to change bulb combinations without dropping another $100 plus on a different PAR38 bulb. Good suggestion though, I will certainly keep it in mind. Link to comment
TJ_Burton Posted February 5, 2010 Author Share Posted February 5, 2010 Ok so long story short - Here is the guts of my BRAND NEW Solaris I5 American made, and the quality far surpasses that of it's Chinese built counterpart the I4. If this doesn't work I am going back to T5's hahaha. Link to comment
rtparty Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 That looks really sweet! Hope it works out nicely for you. Now where are the pictures of it over your tank??? I mean that was a total tease. Link to comment
TJ_Burton Posted February 5, 2010 Author Share Posted February 5, 2010 That looks really sweet! Hope it works out nicely for you. Now where are the pictures of it over your tank??? I mean that was a total tease. hahaha sorry, I'll take some tomorrow - been a long exhausting night. Only reason I took those photos was because Evil had requested them Link to comment
Growerguy Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 The tank looks amazing! I was planning on building a 40B that can be viewed from 3 sides and then I saw this thread. This build has been a huge inspiration. So I went out and bought some 2x4s and started building a stand tonight.. Hope the new lights work for you and look forward to seeing this tank come along. Link to comment
TJ_Burton Posted February 5, 2010 Author Share Posted February 5, 2010 The tank looks amazing! I was planning on building a 40B that can be viewed from 3 sides and then I saw this thread. This build has been a huge inspiration. So I went out and bought some 2x4s and started building a stand tonight.. Hope the new lights work for you and look forward to seeing this tank come along. I'm glad I could help light the fire under your butt hahaha. I took a peek at your thread; looks like a solid start to me! Link to comment
TJ_Burton Posted February 6, 2010 Author Share Posted February 6, 2010 Few new pieces. All LPS/Softies because my SPS are still mad for whatever reason (I have yet to determine). Red/Pink chalice - I think I will call it UberLameName chalice Orange plate - I think I will call it SuperOragneRetardedness plate My new zoas - I call them UltraOrangeToxicCraberryRushRidiculousness zoas lol Oh, and my big green plate was once a frag from a larger green plate that was in my 40br. I fragged it into 5 slices like a Pizza and gave them to various friends. One of those friends didn't do so well with it and it died. This friend was also lazy enough to leave the dead skeleton in there. A few months post-mortem it decided it wasn't ready to die and started making little plates. I now own this little fungia factory. It has already made half a dozen plates, and I have half a dozen more currently popping off it. Link to comment
phases Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 Oh, and my big green plate was once a frag from a larger green plate that was in my 40br. I fragged it into 5 slices like a Pizza and gave them to various friends. One of those friends didn't do so well with it and it died. This friend was also lazy enough to leave the dead skeleton in there. A few months post-mortem it decided it wasn't ready to die and started making little plates. I now own this little fungia factory. It has already made half a dozen plates, and I have half a dozen more currently popping off it. My slice is still doing great. About 4" across now. Link to comment
acropora1981 Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 I trade youuu....a frag of orange zoa + baby plate for purple cespitularia + orange monti cap, according to the following formula: (orange zoa + baby plate) - (purple cespit + monti cap) = 0 Also, can we see a FTS including the new light? Link to comment
steely185 Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 I like your UberLameName chalice Link to comment
TJ_Burton Posted February 6, 2010 Author Share Posted February 6, 2010 I trade youuu....a frag of orange zoa + baby plate for purple cespitularia + orange monti cap, according to the following formula: (orange zoa + baby plate) - (purple cespit + monti cap) = 0 Also, can we see a FTS including the new light? I think that may work out, but I'm not interested in the cap right now. I like your UberLameName chalice Ah hahaha; thanks. Link to comment
acropora1981 Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 Why you no likey the cap? Link to comment
TJ_Burton Posted February 6, 2010 Author Share Posted February 6, 2010 Why you no likey the cap? Cause my SPS no likey my tank atm! lol My slice is still doing great. About 4" across now. Pics or it didn't happen... Link to comment
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