supercomputers
Member
What do you guys think of these. I am in the process of buying a 48" Hood. Its a hell of an investment but all I hear are good things what are your thoughts?
PFO Solarist LED Lights
- Thread starter supercomputers
- Start date
jmick
Active Member
I think there is a growing consensus that this product is way over sold and many of the claims made by the manufacturer are questionable. Have also read many complaints regarding the construction of the product...hate to burst your bubble but many people who own the system have been greatly disappointed in it.
I'd probably be more inclined to spend my money on a hood with T5-MH combo and spend the rest of the money on a high quality skimmer, wavebox + calcium reactor.
I'd probably be more inclined to spend my money on a hood with T5-MH combo and spend the rest of the money on a high quality skimmer, wavebox + calcium reactor.
spiderwoman
Active Member
You are wasting your money on this. Ask any experienced reef hobbiest and you will get the response that in the next year or two the price of LED lighting will come down drastically and the technology and quality will go up.
You asked!
You asked!
jmick
Active Member
Originally Posted by SpiderWoman
http:///forum/post/2702807
You are wasting your money on this. Ask any experienced reef hobbiest and you will get the response that in the next year or two the price of LED lighting will come down drastically and the technology and quality will go up.
You asked!
I agree 100%! I think LED could very well be the way of the future but right now the fixtures out there are not worth the money and PHO even admits that the quality of their product is low.
http:///forum/post/2702807
You are wasting your money on this. Ask any experienced reef hobbiest and you will get the response that in the next year or two the price of LED lighting will come down drastically and the technology and quality will go up.
You asked!I agree 100%! I think LED could very well be the way of the future but right now the fixtures out there are not worth the money and PHO even admits that the quality of their product is low.
oceanlover
Member
Actually, I own Solaris LED lights for my 90 gallon tank. When we first got them I was DE-LIGHTED! (Sorry about the pun.) I love the fact that they are much cooler to the touch than halides. The controller is really cool for programming and all my corals and fish seemed to be very happy. I especially liked the way the lights would soften slowly from day into evening.
Within two months, several of the strips of LEDs (there are 4 or 6 to a strip) started going out. We talked with the company and they had us take the lights down and do lots of diagnostic tests. When we sent them the results, they sent us some replacement strips (for free). They are not especially easy to switch out, but we did.
Then a month later one whole side of the moon lights when out. Sigh. More diagnostics and more replacements.
Another month saw a good portion of the white LEDs go out. Now remember, these lights are supposed to last for 15 years to justify their cost. More diagnostics and more replacements.
Now it has been about a year. ALL of the LED lights are very dim. You can stare straight at them and not even blink. Obviously my corals were not happy. Luckily I have a great aquarium guy who came to the rescue. As the company has not responded to our request for a fix (within the two year warranty) or to credit us for the third generation lights, we pulled the LEDs and went to T-5s. Our coral are much happier and so are the fish.
If you have money to burn and like high-tech kind of things, try the third generation only. Don't buy the 1st or 2nd generation because they are cheaper. The LEDs are definitely cool and you won't need a chiller on your tank. MAYBE the flaws have been fixed and maybe they haven't. . . . . . probably it is still too soon. If you hve a budget, then I'd seriously think about other types of lighting (depending on what types of corals you will be keeping.) The manufacturer is not real easy to deal with other than they are more than happy to take your money. They are not honoring their warranty to us.
Good luck to you and let us know your final decision. If you do get the Solaris LEDs, be sure to post your results as time goes by so we'll know if its safe to go with the third generation or keep waiting.
Within two months, several of the strips of LEDs (there are 4 or 6 to a strip) started going out. We talked with the company and they had us take the lights down and do lots of diagnostic tests. When we sent them the results, they sent us some replacement strips (for free). They are not especially easy to switch out, but we did.
Then a month later one whole side of the moon lights when out. Sigh. More diagnostics and more replacements.
Another month saw a good portion of the white LEDs go out. Now remember, these lights are supposed to last for 15 years to justify their cost. More diagnostics and more replacements.
Now it has been about a year. ALL of the LED lights are very dim. You can stare straight at them and not even blink. Obviously my corals were not happy. Luckily I have a great aquarium guy who came to the rescue. As the company has not responded to our request for a fix (within the two year warranty) or to credit us for the third generation lights, we pulled the LEDs and went to T-5s. Our coral are much happier and so are the fish.
If you have money to burn and like high-tech kind of things, try the third generation only. Don't buy the 1st or 2nd generation because they are cheaper. The LEDs are definitely cool and you won't need a chiller on your tank. MAYBE the flaws have been fixed and maybe they haven't. . . . . . probably it is still too soon. If you hve a budget, then I'd seriously think about other types of lighting (depending on what types of corals you will be keeping.) The manufacturer is not real easy to deal with other than they are more than happy to take your money. They are not honoring their warranty to us.
Good luck to you and let us know your final decision. If you do get the Solaris LEDs, be sure to post your results as time goes by so we'll know if its safe to go with the third generation or keep waiting.
supercomputers
Member
Wow that is an intresting few posts. With all my research i have heard nothing but good things so its a bit surprising. If I were to change my mind and go with something else what do you recomend I have t5 now and wanted to go to LED or Halide T5 combo? Money is a concern but not a huge one. I was not buying these brand new I was getting them used from somebody who was getting out of the hobby. The ones I am buying were purchased in April of 2007 so I guess that is the second generation lights. I was only paying 1400.00 Delviered for them.
Anybody have any other thoughts. Seems like its hit or miss on the quality on these. Even Dr fosters is selling some of there units now so you would have to think the company is reputable?
Any more comments please add them.
Anybody have any other thoughts. Seems like its hit or miss on the quality on these. Even Dr fosters is selling some of there units now so you would have to think the company is reputable?
Any more comments please add them.
wangotango
Active Member
It is hit or miss, but it seems like the majority of people miss.
Give LEDs a few years. There are a few companies working on them right now, PFO isn't the only one. I know Aquailluminations makes one (which is supposed to be way better than Solaris), Sfiligoi makes both LED and and LED/T5ho hybrid fixtures, and word on the street is that Aquactinics is working on a LED/T5ho hybrid too.
IMO not worth paying 2-3x more than you would for a good T5 or halide setup which are known to be good products.
-Justin
Give LEDs a few years. There are a few companies working on them right now, PFO isn't the only one. I know Aquailluminations makes one (which is supposed to be way better than Solaris), Sfiligoi makes both LED and and LED/T5ho hybrid fixtures, and word on the street is that Aquactinics is working on a LED/T5ho hybrid too.
IMO not worth paying 2-3x more than you would for a good T5 or halide setup which are known to be good products.
-Justin
spiderwoman
Active Member
I'm playing with this bulb right now in our 150 g reef-to-be tank
flricordia
Active Member
Originally Posted by SpiderWoman
http:///forum/post/2703268
I'm playing with this bulb right now in our 150 g reef-to-be tank
what brand is that? A DIY?
http:///forum/post/2703268
I'm playing with this bulb right now in our 150 g reef-to-be tank
what brand is that? A DIY?
spiderwoman
Active Member
I'm not sure about the manufacturer, I got it directly from one of the developers Tullio Dell Aquila. It may be Phillips.
Mogul based metal halide LED replacement lamp installs in any fixture, canopy or retro fit no ballast needed runs off of standard household wall plug 120 VAC. Amazing output, no heat, instant on, bulb can be rotated to direct light output where ever you need it. Related approvals: CE, RoHS, UL
Mogul based metal halide LED replacement lamp installs in any fixture, canopy or retro fit no ballast needed runs off of standard household wall plug 120 VAC. Amazing output, no heat, instant on, bulb can be rotated to direct light output where ever you need it. Related approvals: CE, RoHS, UL
supercomputers
Member
So who makes the best MWH combo for a 100 Gallon Tank,
I am looking for best possible coral color and growth. I hate how you see pics of other peoples corals and you get the same coral and the colors do not look the same at all. I thought LED was the fix to my issue. Plus it saved energy and the heat issue.
Any thoughts?
I am looking for best possible coral color and growth. I hate how you see pics of other peoples corals and you get the same coral and the colors do not look the same at all. I thought LED was the fix to my issue. Plus it saved energy and the heat issue.
Any thoughts?
supercomputers
Member
I love my current fixture, But I dont feel I get the coloring on my coral that I should. Water is in check, so it has to be the lighting?
Example when I buy a coral online and its a real picture non photoshop or anything it never looks the same in my tank.
I figured I would upgrade to the Halide/T5 combo or the LED and I have such a deal on this LED fixture I figured it was worth the shot.
The reviews I read out there seem to be 50/50 on the PFO Solaris
Example when I buy a coral online and its a real picture non photoshop or anything it never looks the same in my tank.
I figured I would upgrade to the Halide/T5 combo or the LED and I have such a deal on this LED fixture I figured it was worth the shot.
The reviews I read out there seem to be 50/50 on the PFO Solaris
spiderwoman
Active Member
Majority of the pics online are taken under 20k MH's and some with extra actinic supplementation. That's the only way to get the same coloration. Most of the time it's a real disappointment if you buy from certain sellers. I prefer buying from people that I either know and have seen the corals with my own eyes, or I buy from people that tell me upfront what their lighting is and I've seen multiple pics of the frags/corals and even FTS.
abe
New Member
I have Solaris. Its a great light. I am waiting to get the fixture I ordered though. I am using the display one for now (from my LFS). There's a delay for all ordered lights because they are moving production to the USA. The UI is easy to use. Here's a picture of the light in Cloud cover mode. The computer can control each bulb individually in auto mode, but you can control sections individually in Manual Mode.
As you can see, for cloud cover, the computer sends different currents through bulbs to get the result it wants.
here's an FTS to see what my tank looks like with the PFO lighting.
its not exactly blue, but that's because i had the fixture blasting the white bulbs with blue bulbs at half power. the light is growing my sps very well... except the one that RTN'd on me... I get more even lighting like with T5's and still get a shimmer effect. plus, temperatures have been in the 100's this year, and no chiller needed. No quality problems with this fixture. its the I4, the newest one out.
HTH
abe
As you can see, for cloud cover, the computer sends different currents through bulbs to get the result it wants.
here's an FTS to see what my tank looks like with the PFO lighting.
its not exactly blue, but that's because i had the fixture blasting the white bulbs with blue bulbs at half power. the light is growing my sps very well... except the one that RTN'd on me... I get more even lighting like with T5's and still get a shimmer effect. plus, temperatures have been in the 100's this year, and no chiller needed. No quality problems with this fixture. its the I4, the newest one out.
HTH
abe
mr_x
Active Member
i'd like to see more than 1 picture with that fixture. how about daylight?
i've never owned a fixture such as this, but i have read numerous threads about them and have seen some in person. the ones i saw in person were not impressive in the least.
they had big gaps between the light panels that made shadows unless you hung the fixture about a foot off of the tank, and the corals did not look good.
i read that a guy who had one had nothing but trouble with his. when a light board went bad, they(solaris) sent him a used one as a replacement. on and on and on..and they finally gave him his money back. he's much happier now with a new halide fixture.
abe- it's in the 90's here and i don't need a chiller either. are you implying that you aren't running the air conditioner in your house? if you are, then what does it matter what the temperature is outside?
i too get even lighting with 3 halides over my 5', 30" wide tank. i have no dark zones. i don't think my frag tank which is lit by a t-5 fixture is any more evenly lit than my big tank.
i've never owned a fixture such as this, but i have read numerous threads about them and have seen some in person. the ones i saw in person were not impressive in the least.
they had big gaps between the light panels that made shadows unless you hung the fixture about a foot off of the tank, and the corals did not look good.
i read that a guy who had one had nothing but trouble with his. when a light board went bad, they(solaris) sent him a used one as a replacement. on and on and on..and they finally gave him his money back. he's much happier now with a new halide fixture.
abe- it's in the 90's here and i don't need a chiller either. are you implying that you aren't running the air conditioner in your house? if you are, then what does it matter what the temperature is outside?
i too get even lighting with 3 halides over my 5', 30" wide tank. i have no dark zones. i don't think my frag tank which is lit by a t-5 fixture is any more evenly lit than my big tank.
jmick
Active Member
Originally Posted by abe
http:///forum/post/2705082
I have Solaris. Its a great light. I am waiting to get the fixture I ordered though. I am using the display one for now (from my LFS). There's a delay for all ordered lights because they are moving production to the USA. The UI is easy to use. Here's a picture of the light in Cloud cover mode. The computer can control each bulb individually in auto mode, but you can control sections individually in Manual Mode.
As you can see, for cloud cover, the computer sends different currents through bulbs to get the result it wants.
here's an FTS to see what my tank looks like with the PFO lighting.
its not exactly blue, but that's because i had the fixture blasting the white bulbs with blue bulbs at half power. the light is growing my sps very well... except the one that RTN'd on me... I get more even lighting like with T5's and still get a shimmer effect. plus, temperatures have been in the 100's this year, and no chiller needed. No quality problems with this fixture. its the I4, the newest one out.
HTH
abe
I run 900 watts of Metal halide on my reef and it gets hot here and I don't need a chiller...tank never gets over 80 degrees.
You must have gotten one of the good fixtures. There are a couple lfs in my area who have the Solaris and they are very dissapointed.
http:///forum/post/2705082
I have Solaris. Its a great light. I am waiting to get the fixture I ordered though. I am using the display one for now (from my LFS). There's a delay for all ordered lights because they are moving production to the USA. The UI is easy to use. Here's a picture of the light in Cloud cover mode. The computer can control each bulb individually in auto mode, but you can control sections individually in Manual Mode.
As you can see, for cloud cover, the computer sends different currents through bulbs to get the result it wants.
here's an FTS to see what my tank looks like with the PFO lighting.
its not exactly blue, but that's because i had the fixture blasting the white bulbs with blue bulbs at half power. the light is growing my sps very well... except the one that RTN'd on me... I get more even lighting like with T5's and still get a shimmer effect. plus, temperatures have been in the 100's this year, and no chiller needed. No quality problems with this fixture. its the I4, the newest one out.
HTH
abe
I run 900 watts of Metal halide on my reef and it gets hot here and I don't need a chiller...tank never gets over 80 degrees.
You must have gotten one of the good fixtures. There are a couple lfs in my area who have the Solaris and they are very dissapointed.
stimpy4242
Member
Originally Posted by OceanLover
http:///forum/post/2703011
Actually, I own Solaris LED lights for my 90 gallon tank. When we first got them I was DE-LIGHTED! (Sorry about the pun.) I love the fact that they are much cooler to the touch than halides. The controller is really cool for programming and all my corals and fish seemed to be very happy. I especially liked the way the lights would soften slowly from day into evening.
Within two months, several of the strips of LEDs (there are 4 or 6 to a strip) started going out. We talked with the company and they had us take the lights down and do lots of diagnostic tests. When we sent them the results, they sent us some replacement strips (for free). They are not especially easy to switch out, but we did.
Then a month later one whole side of the moon lights when out. Sigh. More diagnostics and more replacements.
Another month saw a good portion of the white LEDs go out. Now remember, these lights are supposed to last for 15 years to justify their cost. More diagnostics and more replacements.
Now it has been about a year. ALL of the LED lights are very dim. You can stare straight at them and not even blink. Obviously my corals were not happy. Luckily I have a great aquarium guy who came to the rescue. As the company has not responded to our request for a fix (within the two year warranty) or to credit us for the third generation lights, we pulled the LEDs and went to T-5s. Our coral are much happier and so are the fish.
If you have money to burn and like high-tech kind of things, try the third generation only. Don't buy the 1st or 2nd generation because they are cheaper. The LEDs are definitely cool and you won't need a chiller on your tank. MAYBE the flaws have been fixed and maybe they haven't. . . . . . probably it is still too soon. If you hve a budget, then I'd seriously think about other types of lighting (depending on what types of corals you will be keeping.) The manufacturer is not real easy to deal with other than they are more than happy to take your money. They are not honoring their warranty to us.
Good luck to you and let us know your final decision. If you do get the Solaris LEDs, be sure to post your results as time goes by so we'll know if its safe to go with the third generation or keep waiting.
Report it to the better business bureau. The more complaints the better. I have had similar results with the exact same response.
http:///forum/post/2703011
Actually, I own Solaris LED lights for my 90 gallon tank. When we first got them I was DE-LIGHTED! (Sorry about the pun.) I love the fact that they are much cooler to the touch than halides. The controller is really cool for programming and all my corals and fish seemed to be very happy. I especially liked the way the lights would soften slowly from day into evening.
Within two months, several of the strips of LEDs (there are 4 or 6 to a strip) started going out. We talked with the company and they had us take the lights down and do lots of diagnostic tests. When we sent them the results, they sent us some replacement strips (for free). They are not especially easy to switch out, but we did.
Then a month later one whole side of the moon lights when out. Sigh. More diagnostics and more replacements.
Another month saw a good portion of the white LEDs go out. Now remember, these lights are supposed to last for 15 years to justify their cost. More diagnostics and more replacements.
Now it has been about a year. ALL of the LED lights are very dim. You can stare straight at them and not even blink. Obviously my corals were not happy. Luckily I have a great aquarium guy who came to the rescue. As the company has not responded to our request for a fix (within the two year warranty) or to credit us for the third generation lights, we pulled the LEDs and went to T-5s. Our coral are much happier and so are the fish.
If you have money to burn and like high-tech kind of things, try the third generation only. Don't buy the 1st or 2nd generation because they are cheaper. The LEDs are definitely cool and you won't need a chiller on your tank. MAYBE the flaws have been fixed and maybe they haven't. . . . . . probably it is still too soon. If you hve a budget, then I'd seriously think about other types of lighting (depending on what types of corals you will be keeping.) The manufacturer is not real easy to deal with other than they are more than happy to take your money. They are not honoring their warranty to us.
Good luck to you and let us know your final decision. If you do get the Solaris LEDs, be sure to post your results as time goes by so we'll know if its safe to go with the third generation or keep waiting.
Report it to the better business bureau. The more complaints the better. I have had similar results with the exact same response.