Robb in Austin Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Howdy all! Chris, aka Bio3, was kind enough to let me borrow his new BuildMyLED 48" fixture to see what it looks like over a 'real' tank. Some of us who took the factory tour got to see these fixtures up close and personal, but the tank they have in the office(at that time) only had sand and some rock. Apparently, they came up with this reef spectrum model based on some input from Bruce at Aquatek. I believe Chris got to see it there and purchased one. My current setup consists of an Aquactinics TX5, 5 x54W, with the following ATI bulbs: front to rear blue + true actinic procolor true actinic blue + This is my current setup, pic taken 10/24, with white balance manually set to 15K in GIMP and resized(sorry about the reflections): And here is the BML fixture. This was taken tonight, auto WB in camera, resized only: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wesreyn Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) I was just looking at their website. This is just 1 48" light over your 75? How deep is your tank? What do you think of the color? It looks a little "white" to me but nice and bright. I have T5's with my color being really close to yours. Edited November 9, 2012 by wesreyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+SChrisEV Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 I assume this is full intensity? Pictures can be so deceiving. I'm with wesreyn, wanting to know what you think of the color up close and personal? It does look a bit white. I ordered a fixture just today so am VERY interested in your thoughts of the custom reef spectrum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrshall1027 Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 I just picked up my fixture tonight and was about to post pictures. My tank is VERY new and I'm waiting on my rock order to get in before any aquascaping is done. Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted November 9, 2012 Author Share Posted November 9, 2012 Standard 75, 48x18x21tall. And yes, 1 48" fixture at full intensity. To my eye, it's too yellow. I'm no light temp expert but I'm guessing it's close to 10-12K. I left out the close ups I took but there is a definite lack of pop in the corals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Wow man, that thing REALLY kicks out some light! The reef spectrum before was even more white, in person I think it doesnt look as white. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesWebb Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 How are you mounting the fixture? I just got mine in and I'm working on mounting it with a few ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted November 9, 2012 Author Share Posted November 9, 2012 For anyone interested, I just posted this to RC. Here is a link: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2232424 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 I think this should punch nice tot he bottom of my 90 rimless. If the colors don't pop like I want then I'll put a little more blue in the next fixture. I'm just holding off until the multiple channel drivers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Jakedoza Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Looks pretty yellow to me as well.. but I also know a photo can have adverse effects as well.. You might thin about dimming those down to acclimate your coral, but I'm sure you already know that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bige Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 It looks like a lot of light though. I have the same light with the 70 degree optic (I think). If its that white then I too will get more blue with next light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted November 9, 2012 Author Share Posted November 9, 2012 @hall1027; Did you get the same spectrum? If not, you ought to bring yours over when you get the cheato for comparison. I'd say the light output is similar between the two, with the LED *maybe* being slightly brighter. Although that could be just a color thing. Decent spread too, but would definitely need two of them for full coverage. I'd definitely want to be able to control the fixture. As it is, it's a binary light. On/off. My fish freaked when I plugged it in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Jakedoza Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 I'd be interested to know the brightness and color difference of the white and blue LED I have now. Maybe bring it to the meeting Next Saturday? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted November 9, 2012 Author Share Posted November 9, 2012 You'd have to ask Bio, it's his, but good idea. Would be nice to compare it to other LED setups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Capt. Obvious Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 You'd have to ask Bio, it's his, but good idea. Would be nice to compare it to other LED setups. You can borrow my AI Sols...cept I think I am one short of covering 48"... I am only having to cover 36" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesWebb Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 I have a two foot fixture on my 20 gallon long with the 90 degree optic, it looks far more blue than these pictures show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted November 10, 2012 Author Share Posted November 10, 2012 If I hadnt manually corrected my T5 setup, it would have been even more blue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted November 10, 2012 Author Share Posted November 10, 2012 So, in looking at the light with Bio just now we discovered that this is not the reef spectrum light but in fact it is the fresh water show light. That would probably explain the color issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Yes after seeing it in person on a tank I saw the difference. I've sent an email to bml and checked my account to make sure I ordered the right one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esacjack Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 bummer man, good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesWebb Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 That makes sense because mine looks nothing like the picture it's way more blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 I spoke with Nick today at BML. He is taking care of me... I wish every company had atleast half the customer service and respect of BML. We decided to run the reef spectrum but we pulled 1 white light out of the center and added one more blue to make it just SLIGHTLY more blue than before. I'll swing by their shop tomorrow and grab my new fixture. I'll try and remember to snap some pics of the lights showing on a wall. This fresh water light and the new reef light, plus any other lights he has around that I can snap pics of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshman1204 Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 So how many of these units does it take to light a tank? I am having a hard time wrapping my head around this setup for some reason. I have a 57gallon which is the same as a 40 breeder but a couple inches taller. How many of these would I need to get good coverage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 All depends on what you plan to keep. 1 led unit with a 90 optic will light the tank. in my 90 I plan to have 3 lights, 1 in the middle with a 60 optic, 1 in back with 30 one in front with 30. This should blend them all nice and punch how I want it. What are you wanting to keep in your tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted November 12, 2012 Author Share Posted November 12, 2012 Based on what I saw, I think 2 at a minimum would be needed to get full front to back coverage. I think Chris has a good idea with one in front/back. But yes, what you want to keep will be the ultimate decider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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