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Post by nwflytrap on Sept 19, 2014 7:01:03 GMT -5
Great looking set up sp var! Can't wait to see what you have planed for it.
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Post by vraev on Sept 19, 2014 15:53:58 GMT -5
Thanks. I will keep you guys updated as it moves along.
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Post by canuk1w1 on Sept 19, 2014 17:52:12 GMT -5
Nice! I suspect the tech update will be the new watering system?
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Post by vraev on Sept 19, 2014 19:41:55 GMT -5
Watering may go either way.. It's more of a non-CP thing.... It's the lighting for the new tank that will be major.
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Post by vraev on Sept 24, 2014 0:41:35 GMT -5
My first major DIY that I ever did in my life. I wanted to have a nice-looking mount for the new light for my tank. Plans Cutting aluminium to size Assembly trial Everything was then taken apart to finish off the mounting arm Finished product Assembled Next up, rigging the hanging of this fixture. Although Nolan, I must say I am not too pleased by the intensity. My T8 dual fixtyre you see here seems even brighter. cheers Varun
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Post by ng on Sept 24, 2014 12:28:42 GMT -5
Yea, the inherent issues that the LED market is trying to get past. #1; lumen output with conventionally available diodes. They can stuff as many of them as they want on a bar. It doesn't effect the lumen output. No matter how these companies spin it, these are still just clusters of your average dimmable diode.
As far as i'm aware, kessil is the only company on the market that ive seen that blows this away.
Man though, nice work on those brackets!
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Post by vraev on Sept 24, 2014 13:56:58 GMT -5
Thanks Nolan. Ecotech marine got back to my inquiry and say that it might just be an issue of "rendering". The florescent fixtures put out a lot more visible light, but with the directed peaks of specific wavelengths, the LED on their fixture may appear dimmer, but should be intense enough with useful wavelengths. Lets see....VFTs are more light hungry than an average CP, so lets see how they perform.
The interesting part is I am among the first few adopters of this fixture..so its hard to say how they actually perform. Ecotech have a good reputation in their marine business, but its hard to say how well this fixture will perform for freshwater/terrestrial plants. The necessary wavelengths are there, but just need to see if it good enough. I have always been a "wait and see" person with new technology...this is the first time I am jumpijng in without actual evidence.
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Post by ng on Sept 24, 2014 14:13:06 GMT -5
Yea me too!
My comment was more about the PAR ( Photosynthetic usable radiation ) of the conventional LED. They hit the wavelengths yes, they just can't do it from very far away. More importantly with little to no intensity in most cases. The lumen output just isn't there with the standard refractor. That's why you will only see one main lens in the Kessil lamps. It's all about the refraction LOL. Good luck man!
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Post by canuk1w1 on Sept 24, 2014 19:19:50 GMT -5
I tried an LED lamp and was very happy with the plants' response. It was early gen and broke down too much to be practical. Add cost/benefits to that list. I'm getting similar results using 2 x 4' T5HOs for under $150 (and its much better room lighting). 300W HPS kits (red enhanced) are running just over $200. LEDs probably are the future and they're fascinating but not quite there yet.
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Post by vraev on Sept 24, 2014 20:08:53 GMT -5
Well...although I use satellite plus and finnnex fixtures, this is my first actual try with targeted wavelengths of light for photosynthesis. The radions are supposed to be high par...buy that is for their marine p products. It remains to be seen how these will perform.
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Post by ng on Sept 24, 2014 20:29:20 GMT -5
I can't wait looks suweet.
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Post by lloyd on Sept 24, 2014 21:02:42 GMT -5
I've been disappointed with the plasma/LED/induction lighting. But technology improves and there's going to be new and interesting grow lights coming.
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Post by vraev on Sept 25, 2014 1:01:11 GMT -5
I have been pretty pleased with planted aquarium LED fixtures. But you get what you pay for. The cheaper beams work fixtures aren't as effective as the more expensive ones. I have never actually tried a purple or plant LED fixture per se...so I don't know how they fare in comparison. Either way, as you guys can realize, its one expensive experiment. Anyways... finally..everything is in place. I got my hanging kit My dad helped me drill into the horizontal arm at the perfect place and the fixture is dead centre on the tank. Really happy with how it looks Fixture is already on schedule and in "night mode" so its fully off. Currently as you can see, its set at a max of 75% intensity. Lets see how the VFTs do. The LEDs get pretty hot...the fan comes on at 100% intensity almost immediately. Fingers crossed or this is going to be one expensive blunder. I still need to get a proper tool to cut off the excess steel braided cable. My pliers failed. But, also still need to finish the background and modify the false bottom of this tank. I want to try a water area with some clean water...but early experiments show it will be very very difficult as the peat leeches a lot of tannins and along with algae, this makes the water slimy and dirty. I need an aternate way to pull it off. So still working that out.
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Post by roraima on Sept 25, 2014 1:57:00 GMT -5
Looking very nice Varun. Keep us updated on both tanks.
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Post by ng on Sept 25, 2014 13:34:45 GMT -5
Geeeheeeee citing! I'm hangin on tooth and nail for this one V
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