Solaris Lighting Systems/'Acrylic,Lion,Viper,et.al.'

al mc

al mc

Active Member
I know that there were several threads/posts last months about the new Solaris Lighting Systems. Any more feedback from anyone who has used one or for the 'pros'...any feedback on ones you have installed for someone else? They 'sound' good but sounds like they are working out some 'bugs' in the programming........Any thoughts are appreciated.
 
bronco300

bronco300

Active Member
we put a 48" fixture out our store tank and it looked great, and had NO heat coming from it--we weren't able to test it out a ton--i would think it'd be great to have the ability to have cloud coverage, sunset,etcetc...the life of these are supposed to be 10+ years or something like that...but at this point i cant imagine spending a few thousand on it--but if they last as long as theyre supposed to it could very well be worth it...just my opinion.
 
al mc

al mc

Active Member
Bronco...Thanks for the reply......Any problems with the corals in that store front DT? Do you get the same 'flickering of light in the water' that the MH's give? Other opinions from other users? The 'theory' on the LED's with their negatives of initial cost and reliabliity.....and positives of no heat build up and long term lower cost to run/replace...sounds interesting. Trying to get some feedback to see if the initial cost is worth it in the long run.......
 
bronco300

bronco300

Active Member
i believe the corals were just fine, we werent able to leave them on the tank very long as it was just a trial to look at it a bit. the manager thought it would be great for mixed but for all sps maybe not the best---i believe there was still the effects in the water reflections wise,etc
 
saltn00b

saltn00b

Active Member
i have seen a thread elsewhere about a very dissatisfyed customer, having gone through 5 units (under warranty) in a short period of time. he was upset with the company and complained about the quality / craftsmanship.
 
stimpy4242

stimpy4242

Member
Yes I did hear about that...oh it was me...right well I now have a unit that is working flawlessly...although I have recently had a heat issue...not sure if is the light or my external pump yet though...my heat in my tank is staying a constant 84.? on my temp guage...my heater is set at 79...so something is keeping it constant...must be pump since light varries at night...
 
the clock meis

the clock meis

Member
I saw one this afternoon at a LFS that I stumbled across. It was impressive in its lighting intensity, and certainly was much cooler temperature than MH fixtures.
I didn't ask how long they had it up and going, but all the corals in the tank looked to be doing very well.
Still, from what I've seen, it is a pretty pricey system at this point.
Chris
 
thegrog

thegrog

Active Member
I have heard mixed reviews on it. Some have had tons of problems with damaged or defective units. Others have had great luck.
Still don't know of anyone keeping any high light demanding corals (sps, clams) under them. Soft corals (zoos, polyps, ect) have been doing fine though.
A universal feedback I have had is figuring out the timing of all the controls. A little complicated to get just right.
Zero heat produced from them though, great advantage if the output really is what they say it is.
Personally, I think the technology is still a little young to go diving in for that kind of financial commitment. However, if I did have a few thousand $$ laying around, I would be tempted.
My $0.02 worth
 
stimpy4242

stimpy4242

Member
Well i have to admit, I was very disappointed with the number of defective units that i received in a row...however they were happy to help. I now have a working unit with no problems. Very please thus far and this is still on my upgrade tank so i have nothing in it except some LR with a few mushrooms on it...but the look damn good...haha...I will be adding sps and clams too with the high flow I have. Will let you know in a couple months.
 
stimpy4242

stimpy4242

Member
I am just using the auto mode...it does everything for me based on my location and time. There is cloud coverage 5 times a day lasting about 15 minutes i think...thats cool and the sun sets and the moon rises...yadda yadda yadda...i like it
 
N

nemo_66

Guest
i have heard that they do not give light really wide. it just shoots it downward, not to the side, so the corals would have to be below the light, it can't be to the side. im not sure though.
 
stimpy4242

stimpy4242

Member
On their site they have a diagram of the light spread based on height above the bottom. Mine will provide the necessary light from front to back being a few inches off the top and my tank is 24" wide
 
rabid frog

rabid frog

Active Member
There has been some testing done by peeps on another site. It you look up the word central along with another to do sometihng with reefs you will find the site. The testing that they are coming up with is while the system boasts that it is in the same intensity as Mh's it is falling way short.
Imo it is an over hyped system with some neat added features. I dont think it will be long before we see some the higher end controllers programming in similar effects. In fact some do simulate sunrise/set effects. You can do the cloudy day yourself. Just shut off your ballast on your way out the door for the morning. I do this every once in a while. I just let my attinics run all day and give the corals their cloudy day.
 
stimpy4242

stimpy4242

Member
I think the automation promotes a symbiotic environment....I also think that there own tank looks great from just the light, pictures are on their website.
 
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