Smatfarm lights

[G Santana]

Well I lost a light due to my error and saw that these lights were inexpensive and had a modest review on line so I got two.
Now, the lights look great, it breaks down control ability into 6 ranges which is great but I think they cheaped out on paper. Yes paper!!! Lol the instructions are one fold out page and well kind of vague.
Having played around with the controls I finally did two things, I set the clock and I set the range for the dimmer.
What I haven't been able to do is set the on/off time and when the light is first turned on, all those values are set to 100% and I have no clue how to change those lol or even if they can be.
I looked on line for a tutorial and nothing so I plow through the obscure instructions and punch away at the menu button looking for inspiration lol.

When set to the dimmer mode which has the lights set to the values I like, the lights are beautiful and they give that awesome shimmer my old lights did not.
It kind of reminds me of the late 80s when I first saw MH 1400k lights and my jaw hit the floor.
I just need to figure my way through the controls.
The lights are worth a look for folks not looking to dump a lot of cash in lights.

If anyone has mastered these controls please help a non tech savy old man out lol

 

[T-J]

Found this at their website, hopefully it can help:
https://smat-farm.com/collections/aquarium-light/products/g5-aquastar

 

[minus9]

Found this at their website, hopefully it can help:
https://smat-farm.com/collections/aquarium-light/products/g5-aquastar

This! Choose Timer (ok) Sunrise Time (ok) (- or +) to set time and continue to Sunset Time, etc…. Sunlight is where you set the % for each channel, but I think you have that already?

 

[minus9]

 

[avianman]

YES - I know this thread is old, but with these no longer selling with the remotes, I thought I'd bump. The sunrise/sunset on these lights is fantastic

 

[LeftyReefer]

What exactly does the "dimmer" mode do on these lights?

 

[Woodyman]

What exactly does the "dimmer" mode do on these lights?

It's essentially 'manual' mode where you set each channel and it will stay at those settings until you exit

 

[Woodyman]

Well I lost a light due to my error and saw that these lights were inexpensive and had a modest review on line so I got two.
Now, the lights look great, it breaks down control ability into 6 ranges which is great but I think they cheaped out on paper. Yes paper!!! Lol the instructions are one fold out page and well kind of vague.
Having played around with the controls I finally did two things, I set the clock and I set the range for the dimmer.
What I haven't been able to do is set the on/off time and when the light is first turned on, all those values are set to 100% and I have no clue how to change those lol or even if they can be.
I looked on line for a tutorial and nothing so I plow through the obscure instructions and punch away at the menu button looking for inspiration lol.

When set to the dimmer mode which has the lights set to the values I like, the lights are beautiful and they give that awesome shimmer my old lights did not.
It kind of reminds me of the late 80s when I first saw MH 1400k lights and my jaw hit the floor.
I just need to figure my way through the controls.
The lights are worth a look for folks not looking to dump a lot of cash in lights.

If anyone has mastered these controls please help a non tech savy old man out lol

Now that you've had these a little bit what do you think?

I picked one up for a frag tank got it setup and seems to be working well. Just curious how everyone's growth and what not seems after using consistently for awhile.

 

[G Santana]

Now that you've had these a little bit what do you think?

I picked one up for a frag tank

Love them, the shimmer is awesome and I have growth in a number of my frags, some have almost doubled in size.
I recently went to a reef store in Staten island and all their frag tanks had the lights.

Like I stated earlier, they may not have all the bells and whistles of other lights, but for a budget light they get the job done.

Folks should look at these lights before they are priced higher, I bought mine at $115 and yesterday I saw them selling for $130

 

[shakacuz]

Folks should look at these lights before they are priced higher, I bought mine at $115 and yesterday I saw them selling for $130

i am seeing these being sold on aliexpress for about 115$ as well. thinking of taking the plunge if i can't find a used hydra 32HD to buy...

 

[Weasel1960]

Hi @G Santana, I have been looking into the Smatfarm lights for my upcoming build. Due to the area where the tank will go I will need to design a canopy. So have a few questions to ask…

1. How high off the water line do you have your lights mounted?
2. How are your PAR readings? I am planning a mixed reef in a 90 gallon but likely won’t heavy in any one particular coral type.

Any feedback appreciated.

 

[G Santana]

Hi @G Santana, I have been looking into the Smatfarm lights for my upcoming build. Due to the area where the tank will go I will need to design a canopy. So have a few questions to ask…

1. How high off the water line do you have your lights mounted?
2. How are your PAR readings? I am planning a mixed reef in a 90 gallon but likely won’t heavy in any one particular coral type.

Any feedback appreciated.

The lights I have mounted 8 inches off the surface. I can't tell you par readings as I have never measured and haven't really looked into renting one yet.
What I can tell you, these inexpensive lights grow corals.
I am having luck with Monti's all my zoas about20 different types, Trachphyllia, Acans, acanthophilia and Echinata chalices.
I have a few Acros sticks, although alive and extended, not much growth yet.


I hope this helps!!!

 

[moz71]

Hi @G Santana, I have been looking into the Smatfarm lights for my upcoming build. Due to the area where the tank will go I will need to design a canopy. So have a few questions to ask…

1. How high off the water line do you have your lights mounted?
2. How are your PAR readings? I am planning a mixed reef in a 90 gallon but likely won’t heavy in any one particular coral type.

Any feedback appreciated.

So I have mine set 9 inches above water line. I posted on another thread my par readings whi I am going from memory now. at I have the blues at 75 percent and the whites at 30 and green at 10. I get around 210 to 250 ish par about 13 inches deep consistently. I will dig out my notes

 

[moz71]

Here was my actual numbers I pulled from a previous thread sorry I was a little off. Sorry my memory is going. The 250 was at 100 percent blue settings.

I ran some par's on my 2 smat farms over a 36 inch by 12 inch tank at % power 25/75/75/15/15 I am getting pretty uniform lighting of 150 to 185 par 13 inches down. If I crank up blues to 100% par really increases to the 230 to 260 range 13 inches down. lights are about 10 inches off water surface. liking them so far

 

[HermanoToro]

I know this thread is a few months old, but I was wondering if anyone has found a way to save your custom settings on these lights? I set the %'s and, when I back out of that menu option, the lights just revert back to blindingly bright. Mine didn't ship with a manual.....Thanks!

Also: these lights rip for the money. Pretty impressed with mine!

 

[minus9]

I know this thread is a few months old, but I was wondering if anyone has found a way to save your custom settings on these lights? I set the %'s and, when I back out of that menu option, the lights just revert back to blindingly bright. Mine didn't ship with a manual.....Thanks!

Also: these lights rip for the money. Pretty impressed with mine!

 

[HermanoToro]

Thanks so much, man!

 

[it's me Ily]

Hi, just wondering what you have them set as as well as your intensity levels?