AI Sol advice

[picod]

Hello MR,

Today, with an awesome custom bracket made by Eddie (saltwaterinbrookyn) and help from my good buddy Jonny (jonnyj), my new AI SOl blue is finally hovering above my new Deep Blue 30 gallon rimless (24x24x12).
I was temporarily running an AI Sol Nano about 12" over the tank at full power until I could get this fixture in place.
Not wanting to fry my corals with the new Sol, I set the lights at 25% (each color) coming on at 8am (120m) and shutting down at 5pm (60m). The light fixture is 30" up from the bottom of the tank, which is 18" from the surface water.

My corals are a pretty mixed collection of SPS, LPS and softies.

Can anyone please share their thoughts on whether this can be ramped up a little (or not), and in what span of time this should be done. It looks so depressing at 25% :frown:

As always, any advice is greatly appreciated!
danielle:smile:

New thread to follow...and maybe a new screen name too!

 

[MatthewScars]

I have mine on my 16" deep tank like 8-10 inches off the rim. I started at 40% and ramped 5% every two weeks. I have it perfect at 45W 65B 65N.

Talk to someone with a PAR meter, its worth the rental and advice.

 

[maxi]

Hi I start started with 45-50-50 % on my 57 rimless about 8 inches away following week bumped up to the 60-69%. Problem happen after 3-4 week when bumped up to 72% green monti cap started to burn. So I would wait about a month before going pass 70% and every day for the first week go up slowly every other day.
Also forgot to add, I was using a no name leds before that.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

most say 12" from the top of the water to the bottom of the sol led panel

 

[Alex]

hey danielle take a look at this thread on RC,

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1841197&page=50

 

[thirty5]

18 inches seems a little high above the water level. You may not get the best lighting at the sand bed at that height.

You really need someone with a par meter to see how much light you are getting.

 

[NYreefNoob]

the tank is only 12 inches deep, so dont think she will have a problem with light penetration

 

[JonnyJ]

the tank is only 12 inches deep, so dont think she will have a problem with light penetration

+1

 

[howze01]

18 inches seems a little high above the water level. You may not get the best lighting at the sand bed at that height.

You really need someone with a par meter to see how much light you are getting.

I know someone with AIs running on their 300g system. The lights are SIX feet from the sandbed and the tank has amazing SPS growth. He even has a clam on the bottom. The other plus is that he doesn't get the spotting effect that most do, just a really nice shimmer. Granted he's got.... I think 8 of them running. The tank is 3' deep too.

 

[dannyny]

hey i need some advice if possible. i want to go with the ai sol blue. i have a 36x18x16 tank can i run 1 unit or would i have to get 2? i plan to have fish mostly soft corals and mabe a few hard corals if possible... dont mean to hijack your thread i just wanted to ask someone that had experience with their light fixture. thanks in advance.

 

[felix tesler]

hey D i have mine set at 50% on my 54 corner but i worked them up to that, 25 % is ok for now and everyday turn it up by 1% until you reach 50% its a really stong light so see how your corals respond everyday 35% might be good for you

 

[tomtoothdoc]

danielle,

i have a par meter....but someone has to come to either jersey or flushing to pick it up. if you're real nice to richie, he might just pick it up for you.....lol.

to give you an idea, my ai sol blue is 12" from the water surface...18" from the sand bed on a (30x18x25) 55 gal. "refugium" with a 7" dsb. the setting is 40w 100b 100rb and i'm getting 200+ par on the sand bed....forgot the exact number but can measure the exact if you want when the lights come on.

 

[Cris007]

Hey D below is a light schedule I use. When I first installed my AI. The more timers u use in your schedule the better I. If you use only 2 timers if for any reason you lose power, or u want to adjust the controller or activate lightning feature your timer will automatically go to the highest setting in that timer or lowest and the ramp feature is overridden until the next timer starts.

 

[picod]

Thanks, all for the input,
Based on everyone's advice I will play around with the settings and just be certain I am keeping a close eye on everything for the next couple of weeks.

Tom: I'll be in touch-I'm sure Richie can help me with transport! Thanks!!!

have a great day, everyone!
danielle