Kat's ATI NanoBox Retrofit

[metrokat]

Hi everyone,

I'm long overdue in posting about my fabulous new light that Dave built. My old RSM had a retrofit hybrid light also. Back then Dave retrofit a DUO in a 24in Aquaticlife housing, so I knew first hand what the hybrid light could do for me. My new tank was set up in November 2014, I planned it with a 36" ATI Sunpower retrofit with NanoBox LEDs.





It was Benny that suggested the 36" ATI sunpower retrofit, he was getting one made from Dave but with 8 arrays. Benny's light is a suntanning bed so it's over powered but I still wanted the same end to end light coverage.

 

Dave offers this light with arrays in the middle with T5s on either side. For my light I wanted 2 rows of arrays with his new V3 boards.

I chose a red and white combination to match my all white Fish Nook and Red/White plumbing.




I set about trying to find a used Sunpower unit. I finally found one from a guy on my local forum which turned out to be the absolute worst transaction I have had till date in this hobby. The unit was a total crap shoot. It 'looked' okay, we made the sale on the street so I couldn't plug it in to see if it worked but as I was going home I could see rust on the inside of the unit through the fan vents.

At home only 2 T5s would work, I saw rust on the power box too. Opened up the unit and the bloody thing was a total disaster. I texted the seller over 100 times that night trying to return the unit or to get half my money refunded. He was under the impression that a brand new unit was in the $600 range when that wasn't the case. He lived 2 hours by train away and I recruited Zephs help to go to Harlem or wherever the guy lived, I needed a big guy with me.



Anyway, long story and big headache later he refunded a portion of my payment back. I was not happy, the transaction left a very bad taste, I don't like to haggle but this back and forth was harrowing.

Dave was very comforting even after seeing the pictures, he said to send it on to him and he would take care of it. He opened the light and saw all of it and at that point the light was called Ol' Rusty. It was basically fit for the trash. The seller had probably used it as a surfboard considering the level of rust inside the unit.

The light was shipped back and forth about twice before it came home to me. The end connectors were rusted, a lot of parts had been replaced. At the conclusion it required new fans, new ballasts, new screws, and next will need new end caps.

Dave was so patient, I was more patient. We got it to work. Now I can't believe this magical light Dave made for me! I'm still ramping up the LEDs in power. Right now it is on level 98 out of 256 so not even at 50%.

Initially I had a few burnt tips so I turned down the intensity for a week or so and have been ramping it up a point or two daily. The corals love the light! The colors just came to life. The tank is enjoying the full spectrum and best of both worlds.





The color rendering with all LEDs at the same level is very pleasing, crisp but not too blue. I can't imagine having a tank without a hybrid, I'm just glad Dave can make dream lights.

Don't you be hating on my frag racks. Dave, thank you for a fabulous light.

V3 - Nano Box Array consists of :

• 2 - SEMILED Violet CH1
• 2 - REBEL ES Lime CH2
• 1 - Rebel Cyan CH3
• 1 - Rebel Blue CH3
• 4 - Luxeon T Royal Blue CH4
• 3 - Luxeon T Neutral White & Warm White CH2

Picture :


CH1 (2x Luxeon T 2700K warm white, 1x Luxeon T 4000K neutral white, 2x Rebel ES lime)
CH2 (4x Luxeon T royal blue)
CH3 (2x SemiLEDs C35 violet)
CH4 (1x Rebel blue, 1x Rebel cyan)

 

.....

[NanoFever]

Cant go wrong with anything from Dave! He definitely had a midas touch on your light though!

[SgtBhaji]

Blimey... That tank (and light) is marvelous!

[DaveFason]

Thanks for the kudos Kat. Looking forward to meeting you and the tank this summer!

-Dave

[metrokat]