Jbrougher Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 I've been doing a lot of research, but need help deciding. I'm definitely down for LED's, but need a fixture for a 34 gallon solana. Thoughts? Ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Don't know if it will fit but Marine Depot has their Blue Moon fixture on sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 what do you want to grow in the tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbrougher Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share Posted April 13, 2011 Softies, lps, sps, maybe a clam. The most focus though on the lps, and only lower to mid range sps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottyk Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 If your a DIY kinda guy then look into building an LED fixture for it like I'm doing. I purchased kits from Rapid LED. They have different sized heatsinks to choose from so you can configure the light to your needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbrougher Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share Posted April 13, 2011 Those look awesome. However, I'm a bit new when it comes to DIY projects, and would rather take a sound investment on a fixture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 aquailluminations sol (im saving up for one) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+brian.srock Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 I went with evolution leds 1G 14k $320 from reefkoi.com. I've only had it for 4 weeks now but everything is growing in my tank fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbrougher Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 (edited) I recently found this site with very good reviews on the subject. http://americanaquariumproducts.com/LEDLights.html I'm pretty certain on this brand, just not sure of what model or light to get over a 34 solana. Edited April 14, 2011 by Jbrougher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbrougher Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 Well, scratch that. I might go wait and go for the nano sol. Not to expensive, and if I'm judging it right, that should support any corals in a 34? Just if any could verify. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaJMasta Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 FYI, that has been 'coming soon' for quite some time now. 36W of LED over your tank (since it say's it's half a sol) would be enough to meet your requirements, but the SPS and higher light corals would probably have to be under the fixture and closer to the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbrougher Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 Gotcha. Any risk of burning everything with a full Sol? I mean, I know there always is, but is it a better option? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesL Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Too much light might limit what LPS you have. They are a lower-light loving coral. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaJMasta Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 It's true, but the solana is fairly deep too... so long as the optics aren't too tight you could probably get away with a sol, just don't expect LPS in the top half of the tank. Though, if you've got it set up to be dimmable it could be just fine. In my experience many low-light corals actually can tolerate a good amount of light if they're acclimated to it or just out of the intense areas. I've had a 150W MH and now 63W of LED over my 24G tank which contains mushrooms, a maze brain, and some lower light zoas and things... but keeping them on or near the sandbed, or just out of the center of the tank or partially shaded by rockwork keeps them happy enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike M. Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Based on our par readings of one AI Sol fixture over a 24" deep tank, I'd say that a single SOL fixture would be outstanding for a mixed tank with mostly LPS. I bought a Derasa clam and have it down in the lower end of Fat Jack so we'll see how it does. One AI fixture over a 24x24x24 tank is 1/2 of their recommendation for a tank that size. Hoping to get a second fixture. The control by Apex feature is truly clutch and I like watching it dim off in the evenings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbrougher Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 Nice. Do ya'll have the full Apex? Well, guess so, since the other's not out yet... I can't wait to get this all set and running, but am making myself wait, so I can plan it all out right. But the apex is definitely worth it? Or wait for jr to come about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike M. Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 NEPTUNE APEX=THUMBS UP/MUST HAVE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbrougher Posted April 15, 2011 Author Share Posted April 15, 2011 With the risk of sounding dumb, yet again, the apex takes away the need for the sol controller, correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike M. Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Correct and as much as I like the AI unit, I hate their controller. It is one knob and a lot of clicking to set up the light schedule. The Apex interface is pretty clutch. It has a very friendly GUI that has fields for ramp time and dimming time for the lights. Supposedly, the latest Apex Beta software also has control for the Royal Blue leds on the unit. Right now, you only control BLUE and WHITE. I am playing with the idea of upgrading my software to try it out. Scary though to upgrade software from my point of view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike M. Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 That was not a dumb question by the way. This stuff is not intuitive in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renman303 Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 I just bought 3 Marineland LED systems for my 225 gallon. I've only posted on pic on my blog. One of their 18 lights would be more than enough. And cost?....at Drs. Foster and Smith, only $152.99 !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbrougher Posted April 15, 2011 Author Share Posted April 15, 2011 Well, I'm ordering the lights and controllers now, looking for the best deal online. Then, tonight, I'm picking up the solana. Hypothetically, could I hook up a small grade water pump from a storage unit to my tank, and after hooking it up to the apex, use it as a auto top off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbrougher Posted April 15, 2011 Author Share Posted April 15, 2011 Now do you have to order the separate dimming accessory for it? Or is it automatically programmed in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbrougher Posted April 17, 2011 Author Share Posted April 17, 2011 One last question, then I'm done, promise. Where/who to order from for a Sol and Apex Jr? Who has the best deals, etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike M. Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 Since you don't have experience with advanced progamming of an Apex, I'd order your Apex and Sol from Callahan. He will be willing to supply the after sales service to help you avoid setup headaches. It'll be worth the 10% or so more in cost you might save by price shopping. He is an APEX rep and quite knowledeable. I think he also reps the SOL fixtures. PM him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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