AI Aqua blade size, suggestions.
- Thread starter navada718
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randomfishdude
Valuable Member
I wouldn't get them if I were you.
But 21 inch. You're going to want a 2 grow and a glow.
Glow makes it look good and grow adds the whites and other stuff.
Glow is just blues no whites or anything else.
But they're overly expensive and get in the way too much compared to something like primes or kessels.
But 21 inch. You're going to want a 2 grow and a glow.
Glow makes it look good and grow adds the whites and other stuff.
Glow is just blues no whites or anything else.
But they're overly expensive and get in the way too much compared to something like primes or kessels.
If it matters, I had 2 grows and 1 glow, all 21" on my IM 20 Penn. tank at 12" above the sand (used the standard mounting feet) and the PAR levels from my PMK showed about 160 PAR at the sand.
I did replace them for Prime 16's. 2 of them show 133 PAR on the sand. I like the Prime's better even though a little less par for me. The Primes are about 22" from the sand.
I did replace them for Prime 16's. 2 of them show 133 PAR on the sand. I like the Prime's better even though a little less par for me. The Primes are about 22" from the sand.
I believe the leds have a 95 degree spread so the 21” would be appropriate at 7” above the tank. I cannot comment on whether/how many grows versus glows. I looked at these when I planned to upgrade my lights, but decided to go another direction.
randomfishdude
Valuable Member
I have 3 blades (1 glow 2 grows) over my 75 gal. They produce alot of light but one of them just turns off randomly.
But I have 2 prime 16 over my 80gal shallow and I like it so much better. They also don't get in the way.
Edit- they get very hot and make the tank hot. I have no heater on that tank and it sits at 77 degrees at day.
Really nothing wrong with the blades, it was just that having them on the top of the tank edge was a problem, 3 of them took the whole width so I had to move one for feeding/etc. I tried the above tank mount but it just didn't do it for me aesthetic-wise.
The prime's do have more color options vs. the glow+grow combo's
this for me + I have lost 2 blades due to my dropping them in the tank when I was moving them for maintenence.
They do NOT like to get wet.
randomfishdude
Valuable Member
I've almost dropped mine in several times. But they get covered in salt creep too.
The Orphek OR3 60 bars with the Osix controller better fit my situation.
rtparty
2500 Club Member
Been running Blades since February. Video in my tank build.
I’ve used or tested almost every major LED on the market and the Blades impressed me the most by a mile.
I had some of the early batch issues but AI handled all those and I’ve been running smoothly ever since. Dropped one end in the water a few weeks ago and not an issue. They are IP rated.
You will need 4 Primes to cover that tank properly and will still have shadowing and issues. They need to be mounted much higher than 7” off the tank. BRS has great videos on all of these lights to show what works best for your setup. 7” off the water is the sweet spot for the Blades and they won’t be in the way. Mine are hanging 8” off the water and never in the way.
I’ve used or tested almost every major LED on the market and the Blades impressed me the most by a mile.
I had some of the early batch issues but AI handled all those and I’ve been running smoothly ever since. Dropped one end in the water a few weeks ago and not an issue. They are IP rated.
You will need 4 Primes to cover that tank properly and will still have shadowing and issues. They need to be mounted much higher than 7” off the tank. BRS has great videos on all of these lights to show what works best for your setup. 7” off the water is the sweet spot for the Blades and they won’t be in the way. Mine are hanging 8” off the water and never in the way.
They are IP66 rated, not waterproof for sure:
AI warranty would not replace mine after dropping the end in water.
Edit to add:
It's important to note that although an IP66 enclosure is waterproof against hose-directed water and falling drops of rain or snow, it's not intended to be submerged in water.
My power ends were below the surface albeit only for a second or three.
OP
OP
navada718
Active Member
Thanks for the informative info.
I'm contemplating on starting with 1, 21inch grow & glow, based from the responses from thisthread. But the kessil 360x is calling me...the reviews are guiding me into other options. Would you happen to know why the ai 21 inch glow is more significantly more expensive than the grow?
rtparty
2500 Club Member
All the Glow models are more expensive. It’s the violet LEDs. They are far more expensive than royal blue LEDs.
dang, that sucks. One would assume it'll be water proof or least resistance.
No light for our tanks is water proof. Drop a Kessil, Radion, Prime, or any other light in a tank and see if it still works. It may or may not depending on how lucky one gets.
randomfishdude
Valuable Member
I also got the early batch ones.
They do seem more "easy-er" to drip in the water like most lights.
The issue for me is they get covered in salt creep and they also get in the way. Along with one of the grows turns off randomly for whatever reason.
But I have only 2 prime 16 running over my 80 gal and I keep several sps (and nem) just fine.
Par is low in some places but I am planning on getting a 3rd.
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