AI SOLs are the best light in the world, here's why...

Aquattro · #1 03-14-2012, 06:46 PM

Have you thought about adding a couple of red bulbs to the collection? I figure that's what I'll do, should cost a couple bucks. Apparently it can bring out some fish colors, not that I have any fish...

Bblinks · #2 03-14-2012, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Have you thought about adding a couple of red bulbs to the collection? I figure that's what I'll do, should cost a couple bucks. Apparently it can bring out some fish colors, not that I have any fish...

Funny that you mention it. I am contemplating on doing 2 stripes of 72 x 2 mix clusters of red, green, uv, and cw so I can get my lighting as close to a "full spectrum" as I can! I figure until we can find out what these coral(sps) needs in what specific spectrum it would be better to emulate the sun to the best of our ability by using everything that is available to us but not the extend of turning our tanks into a disco ball.

On the other hand, we really don't know if the coral do need red or green spectrum of light and from the way my sps has reacted from the ai and its intensity almost lends me to think that intensity is more important then spectrum. Is adding all those other lighting and making the top of my tank into a octopus of wiring worth the effort?

Whats your thoughts?

Aquattro · #3 03-14-2012, 07:54 PM

I'm thinking that it's only needed for appearances. I think a few reds, maybe greens might make the colors of some corals and fish pop a bit. Since most of my coral are blues and purples, the AI spectrum should replicate what I currently have with radiums. I think. I can see some colors on fish being visually better with some other spectrum, but I don't think it's required for coral growth or color.
So if I did this, it would be a simple strip behind the AIs with a few colored bulbs. I would test it first before I installed it anyway, and if I didn't see noticeable improvement, I'd skip the whole idea.

Bblinks · #4 03-14-2012, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I'm thinking that it's only needed for appearances. I think a few reds, maybe greens might make the colors of some corals and fish pop a bit. Since most of my coral are blues and purples, the AI spectrum should replicate what I currently have with radiums. I think. I can see some colors on fish being visually better with some other spectrum, but I don't think it's required for coral growth or color.
So if I did this, it would be a simple strip behind the AIs with a few colored bulbs. I would test it first before I installed it anyway, and if I didn't see noticeable improvement, I'd skip the whole idea.

I think I will hold off on the red and greens as I don't think it will do much. Thanks for the input.

BTW I think you might want to re-think about the lens, after looking at the par reading and the way my blue tipped stag being under 900+ pars transfroming from brown bodied blue tipped into a blue body and sky blue tip piece, it really made me wonder if its better to keep the stock 40/70 mix to get the best of both world. I don't know just a thought.

fishytime · #5 03-15-2012, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bblinks

Is adding all those other lighting and making the top of my tank into a octopus of wiring worth the effort?

Whats your thoughts?

my thoughts are.....buy Radions......one power cord, thats it

Aquattro · #6 03-15-2012, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishytime

my thoughts are.....buy Radions......one power cord, thats it

Tidy cords for only $1275+tx more. Good deal

But, I'm a sucker for the sun, so I'll go to Costa Rica with the money I save and live with an extra cord.

Bblinks · #7 03-15-2012, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Tidy cords for only $1275+tx more. Good deal

But, I'm a sucker for the sun, so I'll go to Costa Rica with the money I save and live with an extra cord.

Heh heh heh! I am using my money that I saved for Cancun in December!😃

Aquattro · #8 03-15-2012, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bblinks

Heh heh heh! I am using my money that I saved for Cancun in December!😃

To be fair, the Radion bunch can probably sit in the fish room, tilt the lights and maybe get a bit of a tan!

marie · #9 03-15-2012, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

To be fair, the Radion bunch can probably sit in the fish room, tilt the lights and maybe get a bit of a tan!

That's what I have to do only I am using Metal halides so I don't get that fancy schmancy, red/green tan

MarkoD · #10 03-15-2012, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Tidy cords for only $1275+tx more. Good deal

But, I'm a sucker for the sun, so I'll go to Costa Rica with the money I save and live with an extra cord.

my thoughts exactly.....

the extra cord on the sols is for the controller.....

on the radions you need the extra USB cord and a computer to control it.