Aqua Illumination Led Light?

2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by luvmyreef http:///t/393233/aqua-illumination-led-light#post_3496926
That looks like a nice fixture. Now, if they could make it bigger, for the larger tanks, lol so we can have just one nice fixture to hang above the tank!!!
Think of it this way...if you only ever drop just one of them in the water, then you only have to replace half a fixture. Make sense?
 
luvmyreef

luvmyreef

Active Member
LOL. Who says I would drop it? lol. I just want a single light fixture with automatic programmable features to slowly intensify throughout the day, and go dimmer etc to mock sunrise, sunset, interchangeable leds if needed, with moonlights too. Is that too much??? LOL.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by luvmyreef http:///t/393233/aqua-illumination-led-light/20#post_3496933
LOL. Who says I would drop it? lol. I just want a single light fixture with automatic programmable features to slowly intensify throughout the day, and go dimmer etc to mock sunrise, sunset, interchangeable leds if needed, with moonlights too. Is that too much??? LOL.

Oh, well you're gonna have to wait a few more years for that.
 
luvmyreef

luvmyreef

Active Member
I don't wanna wait!!! Oh well, maybe by then the brand to buy will be: 2quills and acrylic's custom leds!!!
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
If either of us could find the time we would probably be pretty dangerous. In one way or another lol.
 
luvmyreef

luvmyreef

Active Member
You could make a lot of money lol. I think you guys could do a great job, and the fixtures would be high quality. hand made, etc. I already told shawn, I am first in line!!!!
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by luvmyreef http:///t/393233/aqua-illumination-led-light/20#post_3496933
LOL. Who says I would drop it? lol. I just want a single light fixture with automatic programmable features to slowly intensify throughout the day, and go dimmer etc to mock sunrise, sunset, interchangeable leds if needed, with moonlights too. Is that too much??? LOL.

Luvmyreef, 1 large fixture could be done....Corey and I had mulled that over quite a bit on my setup, but the biggest drawback to that is weight.....Honestly check HeatSinkUSA and get a idea on the cost of the heat sink, but more importantly the weight.....Somewhat infeasible for most people unless doing a completely custom setup from top to bottom......
Another important key IMO and has been noted and reported we over light our tanks.....The tank shouldn't necessarily be evenly lit.....The lighting is somewhat there to highlight the features or inhabitants of our tanks.....And theoretically with smaller individual units it makes lighting our setups easier where we can get the light to where we really want/need it at. Corey and I had discussed doing it on move able track.....Basically where your could move individual units to where you want it.....We had also tossed around ideas with using mounts similar to what Corey used on his fuge LED lighting setup....Where you could aim/adjust the fixture to your exact needs; likings......
Preset settings are nice, but as you evolve or your system evolves those "preset" settings are a hinder.......Kinda of like buying a point and shoot digital camera and then having a friend let you try out their top of the line DSLR with all the bells and whistles where you can adjust and manipulate everything........I don't see programmable features a real advantage to any unit.....All that can easily be accomplished with some sort of controller depending how fancy you want to get or involved.....
I'll use the Apex for example.....A very capable controller to do what your asking.....reasonable priced as well, and the there's some DIY controllers that you can build or buy already built that are capable as well, but not sure on the technical support after wards......
 
luvmyreef

luvmyreef

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/393233/aqua-illumination-led-light/20#post_3496951
Luvmyreef, 1 large fixture could be done....Corey and I had mulled that over quite a bit on my setup, but the biggest drawback to that is weight.....Honestly check HeatSinkUSA and get a idea on the cost of the heat sink, but more importantly the weight.....Somewhat infeasible for most people unless doing a completely custom setup from top to bottom......
Another important key IMO and has been noted and reported we over light our tanks.....The tank shouldn't necessarily be evenly lit.....The lighting is somewhat there to highlight the features or inhabitants of our tanks.....And theoretically with smaller individual units it makes lighting our setups easier where we can get the light to where we really want/need it at. Corey and I had discussed doing it on move able track.....Basically where your could move individual units to where you want it.....We had also tossed around ideas with using mounts similar to what Corey used on his fuge LED lighting setup....Where you could aim/adjust the fixture to your exact needs; likings......
Preset settings are nice, but as you evolve or your system evolves those "preset" settings are a hinder.......Kinda of like buying a point and shoot digital camera and then having a friend let you try out their top of the line DSLR with all the bells and whistles where you can adjust and manipulate everything........I don't see programmable features a real advantage to any unit.....All that can easily be accomplished with some sort of controller depending how fancy you want to get or involved.....
I'll use the Apex for example.....A very capable controller to do what your asking.....reasonable priced as well, and the there's some DIY controllers that you can build or buy already built that are capable as well, but not sure on the technical support after wards......
I can see where that would be a problem. Well, Maybe two really nice fixtures then lol. I will wait. Truth is, the coral in our tanks are not used to the extreme lighting we subject them to everyday. Same light intensity, etc.... everyday....without change. It would be nice to program a light to give off different amounts each day, intensity, etc. ex: a stormy day, cloudy day, etc. ;)
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by luvmyreef http:///t/393233/aqua-illumination-led-light/20#post_3497086
I can see where that would be a problem. Well, Maybe two really nice fixtures then lol. I will wait. Truth is, the coral in our tanks are not used to the extreme lighting we subject them to everyday. Same light intensity, etc.... everyday....without change. It would be nice to program a light to give off different amounts each day, intensity, etc. ex: a stormy day, cloudy day, etc. ;)
Super easy with a controller.....
 
luvmyreef

luvmyreef

Active Member
Yes, but why cant a fixture have a built in controller. A nice and neat little package. I guess that is what i mean by programmable?
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Some do and some don't, but at times those "nice, neat" built ins are rather limiting......I had suggested the Apex for the simple purpose it serves multiple purposes.....It not only controls lighting, but all all your pumps and what nots.....Radion on the other hand can control their PH's.....but lets say your running Tunze PH's.....Ohhhh crap out of luck either then you have a Tunze separate controller for more clutter.....I was thinking something that is multifunctional and could be mounted remotely and make it getting to and adjusting easy on the user.....
Not saying my ideas or thoughts are sound, just thinking out loud.....
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by luvmyreef http:///t/393233/aqua-illumination-led-light/20#post_3497086
I can see where that would be a problem. Well, Maybe two really nice fixtures then lol. I will wait. Truth is, the coral in our tanks are not used to the extreme lighting we subject them to everyday. Same light intensity, etc.... everyday....without change. It would be nice to program a light to give off different amounts each day, intensity, etc. ex: a stormy day, cloudy day, etc. ;)
It really just comes down to what you're willing to spend for the capabilities that you're after.
Having the ability to program the intensity over a given amount of time Cost Wise puts us in the same realm in terms of build costs as does the ability to do cloud coverage or random thunderstorms. It's really just a software issue at that point and adding more code into the mix. You're still incorporating a small computer into your lighting system vs having a few knobs that you can turn manually along with timers to cut the lights on and off.
There are some low cost options out there for having those capabilities. Controllers start out anywhere from around $65 for a bare bones one that will give you those options, all the way up to several hundred for some of the big name brand aquarium controllers that you can upgrade to be able to program your leds. This is where I think most manufacturers hit a road block in terms of making quality fixtures that have all of these capabilities any cheaper than they already are. Led's have been around a while. The latest and greatest only get cheaper when something newer and better comes along.
A lot of the corals we get these days are fragments that could be perhaps several generations removed from their wild counterparts found in the ocean. Most can adapt just fine to hobbyist conditions if given the proper chance, I feel.
But I hear ya. I believe in trying to create the most natural progression as possible for the livestock. Or anything else in the tank for that matter. Certain things have certain needs. Sometimes we go crazy with it to suit our desires along with their needs.
 
luvmyreef

luvmyreef

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/393233/aqua-illumination-led-light/20#post_3497098
Some do and some don't, but at times those "nice, neat" built ins are rather limiting......I had suggested the Apex for the simple purpose it serves multiple purposes.....It not only controls lighting, but all all your pumps and what nots.....Radion on the other hand can control their PH's.....but lets say your running Tunze PH's.....Ohhhh crap out of luck either then you have a Tunze separate controller for more clutter.....I was thinking something that is multifunctional and could be mounted remotely and make it getting to and adjusting easy on the user.....
Not saying my ideas or thoughts are sound, just thinking out loud.....
I get what you are saying and I agree.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/393233/aqua-illumination-led-light/20#post_3497100
It really just comes down to what you're willing to spend for the capabilities that you're after.
Having the ability to program the intensity over a given amount of time Cost Wise puts us in the same realm in terms of build costs as does the ability to do cloud coverage or random thunderstorms. It's really just a software issue at that point and adding more code into the mix. You're still incorporating a small computer into your lighting system vs having a few knobs that you can turn manually along with timers to cut the lights on and off.
There are some low cost options out there for having those capabilities. Controllers start out anywhere from around $65 for a bare bones one that will give you those options, all the way up to several hundred for some of the big name brand aquarium controllers that you can upgrade to be able to program your leds. This is where I think most manufacturers hit a road block in terms of making quality fixtures that have all of these capabilities any cheaper than they already are. Led's have been around a while. The latest and greatest only get cheaper when something newer and better comes along.
A lot of the corals we get these days are fragments that could be perhaps several generations removed from their wild counterparts found in the ocean. Most can adapt just fine to hobbyist conditions if given the proper chance, I feel.
But I hear ya. I believe in trying to create the most natural progression as possible for the livestock. Or anything else in the tank for that matter. Certain things have certain needs. Sometimes we go crazy with it to suit our desires along with their needs.
I see where that would be hard for companies to do. Controllers seem to be the best bet I guess. :) Atleast for now. Who knows what they will come out with next week lol.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by luvmyreef http:///t/393233/aqua-illumination-led-light/20#post_3497105
I get what you are saying and I agree.
I see where that would be hard for companies to do. Controllers seem to be the best bet I guess. :) Atleast for now. Who knows what they will come out with next week lol.
Just some new version of something that's already been used somewhere else before lol. Lighting techs have been doing this stuff for quite a while already. For some reason, progress seems slow making it's way into the hobby. But yeah, new things for the hobby are coming out now all the time.
If we sit on the fence then growth in experience is bound to pass us by.
 
luvmyreef

luvmyreef

Active Member
That's true. I guess I am just looking for the simplest way for someone like me. Let's say you had a 180g reef and wanted leds with all the bells and whistles, but didn't have the know how or skills (should I say)(or a motivated husband lol)
to build your own. What fixtures would do the job and give you nice options in the long run for upgrades, color changes, etc.... that is the way I look at it i guess. Plug n play lol.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
That's a tough question Luv......Something that will give you plug and play and growing room.....Honestly AI has already proven that their systems can be adaptable, but I also know that EcoTech left themselves room to grow as well.....There's others as well, but if were talking relativity as far as price.....The Apollo Reef would be another.....
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by luvmyreef http:///t/393233/aqua-illumination-led-light/20#post_3497112
That's true. I guess I am just looking for the simplest way for someone like me. Let's say you had a 180g reef and wanted leds with all the bells and whistles, but didn't have the know how or skills (should I say)(or a motivated husband lol)
to build your own. What fixtures would do the job and give you nice options in the long run for upgrades, color changes, etc.... that is the way I look at it i guess. Plug n play lol.

Heck.....Gummi Bears (Germany), Mt Dew and cigarettes gets me pretty motivated......
 
luvmyreef

luvmyreef

Active Member
LOL. If you were not building your own tank right now...... I would be there with a carton of cigs, case of mt dew, and a whole box full of gummies!!!!
 
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