Reefbreeders Meridian too much shimmer

[exnisstech]

Not sure if this is what's considered shimmer or disco affect but I find it pretty annoying TBH
Anyone have any suggestions how to illuminate it without shutting off the return so there's no surface agitation or is it just something you either love or hate?
I don't spend much time in front of this tank due to it being in our bedroom. Today I spent some time just sitting back and watching things and the shimmer or whatever it's called is really annoying after several minutes. The tank is an iM 20 with a display area 12x24" I have the light on photon tank mounts and have it on the highest setting which puts it at 11" above the water. The next setting down puts it at 7.5" but the shimmer doesn't really change. Ive raised it higher than 11" buts it's still there. I have photons over two other tanks as well as a Gen4 xr15 and noopsyche K7s and I don't get this visual effect.

Meridian


This is what I'm used to seeing and comfortable with. This is under two photons

 

[Troylee]

Talk to reefbreeders and get some lenses that aren’t so focused! You want something more diffused! It’s gonna have less par but have wider spread.

 

[exnisstech]

Talk to reefbreeders and get some lenses that aren’t so focused! You want something more diffused! It’s gonna have less par but have wider spread.

@Reef Breeders is this an option?

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

@Reef Breeders is this an option?

Yes they’re called OHM encompass optics

https://reefbreeders.com/products/ohm?variant=48971453399318

 

[X-37B]

From what I read the Encompass lens is what you need. I'm setting up a 36×36×19.7, actual depth is 17" and am going to run a couple 14k edge bars to balance out the 400 watt mh.
I will start with the default lens and go from their.

You can tell it's too close because you can see individual led colors in the sand. I had the same effect on sand with my radion xr15's at 8". I added the diffuser and get a nice minimal shimmer.

If you get the new lens let us know what you think.

 

[exnisstech]

If you get the new lens let us know what you think

Will do once USPS decides to quit bouncing it around everywhere but where its supposed to go

 

[Rocks reef]

What is the recommended mounting height to NOT have the disco effect? I have a brand new Meridian 35 and if it looks anything like what is in the first picture, it will go up for sale immediately.

 

[X-37B]

What is the recommended mounting height to NOT have the disco effect? I have a brand new Meridian 35 and if it looks anything like what is in the first picture, it will go up for sale immediately.

14" with the standard lens.

 

[Rocks reef]

Do you think that will get rid of the disco effect? I plan (maybe was is the new word) on adding a 14k bar to each side.

 

[X-37B]

I don't know until I set up my system with 2 14K bars.
@exnisstech is swapping out the lens on his so we are waiting for his review once they get installed.
Swapping out the lens is another option before you go and sell them.

 

[Troylee]

What is the recommended mounting height to NOT have the disco effect? I have a brand new Meridian 35 and if it looks anything like what is in the first picture, it will go up for sale immediately.

FWIW my tank doesn’t look anything like that lol… maybe it’s cause I have 2 for a more even coverage idk.. I mean it has shimmer but not as much as my halides.. you can see it in this video.

 

[Rocks reef]

FWIW my tank doesn’t look anything like that lol… maybe it’s cause I have 2 for a more even coverage idk.. I mean it has shimmer but not as much as my halides.. you can see it in this video.

You're just showing off now Lee!!

 

[Rocks reef]

I'm thinking if I add two edge bars it will take away the "disco" effect. I am going to put the light up later and mess with it. I bought a set of mounting legs so I could set it up and play with the settings.

 

[Rocks reef]

You know I'm razzing you Lee. I have much love for you and your tank brother!

 

[exnisstech]

I'm thinking if I add two edge bars it will take away the "disco" effect. I am going to put the light up later and mess with it. I bought a set of mounting legs so I could set it up and play with the settings.

I just want to say my post above was not meant to bash the light or discourage anyone from purchasing them.
I think my issue is not what most are experiencing with this light. Reefbreeders has been in contact and the lense is still working through the good ol USPS network. I'll be sure and report back.

 

[Rocks reef]

I just want to say my post above was not meant to bash the light or discourage anyone from purchasing them.
I think my issue is not what most are experiencing with this light. Reefbreeders has been in contact and the lense is still working through the good ol USPS network. I'll be sure and report back.

Understand sir and I did not take it that way. I was just commenting, that once I set my light up later to mess around with it, if it has that disco effect... that will be a no-go for me.

 

[exnisstech]

Hey @Rocks reef Its all good now.
I installed the encompass lense and the disco color effect was eliminated immediately but I still had a lot of shimmer but this is a shallow tank compared to my others and I have the light mounted 3" lower than the recommended height. I also had a huge amount of surface agitation which can really create a lot of shimmer so I adjusted my return nozzles.
I'm going to run the lights 11" above the water because thats the max the brackets I'm using allow. I don't mind a little extra shimmer as long as it isn't a rainbow of colors.
To be fair to reefbreeders and also to hopefully not discourage anyone from trying these lights I raised them temporarily so I could get a video. The recommended height is 14" above the water but I was only able to get it 13.5" using what I had on hand but i have no complaints.
One thing that would be nice would be a choice of lens at the time of purchase but I realize that's a lot to ask from a manufacturing perspective.
There was no lack of concern from reefbreeders. They contacted me very soon after I posted my issue and have stayed in contact. Gotta love a small business that cares, they're becoming fewer all the time.

 

[Rocks reef]

Glad to hear that! So the emcompass lenses do not come with the light correct?

 

[exnisstech]

Glad to hear that! So the emcompass lenses do not come with the light correct?

Correct, they come fitted with the balance lens installed. The encompass and focus lenses are optional. I may be wrong but I have a hunch the balance lens they ship with is probably good for many applications. This tank is only 12' deep and I think that is part of the cause of the issue I had along with me mounting the light lower than recommended.
EDIT: Also surface agitation plays a huge part in the amount of shimmer and is exaggerated on a shallow tank.

 

[mboley]

Understand sir and I did not take it that way. I was just commenting, that once I set my light up later to mess around with it, if it has that disco effect... that will be a no-go for me.

I have a Meridian 35 with the balanced lenses mounted about 14" above the water line and have no disco effect.