The Journey Continues - Mike & Terry's 280g Reef Savvy

[Mike&Terry]

Sorry I didn't mean to be smart just seen people out there and that was their problem

We took no offense and appreciate any input!

 

[revhtree]

We purchased a Neptune Systems PMK PAR Monitoring Kit back in August of last year to help us determine whether we had adequate lighting over the tank. We have since swapped out (2) of the Kessil A360WE's for (2) AI Hydra 52HD's and have been wanting to take new PAR readings. We finally had some time to devote to it tonight. Here are the results:

This is crazy! 19" above the tank? Are the lights at 100%?

Also what PAR meter?

This is really helpful for me!

 

[revhtree]

Disregard the last question..sorry need to read more. get sidetracked by awesome photos.

 

[Mike&Terry]

This is crazy! 19" above the tank? Are the lights at 100%?

Also what PAR meter?

This is really helpful for me!

We used Neptune's PMK Par Monitor - attached (via rubberband) to the bottom of Eheim Plant Tongs and monitored readings via Neptune's Fusion app as we moved the device to different locations inside the tank. Worked GREAT!

The readings were taken during the peak lighting period. Here are the settings:
AI Hydras (Controlled via Neptune's AWM):


AI Hydra 52 HD's (Controlled via AI's myAI app):
UV - 50%
Violet - 30%
Royal -170%
Blue - 130%
Green - 0%
Deep Red - 0%
Cool White - 55%

Kessil A360WE's (Controlled via Neptune's VDM):
Intensity: 100%
Spectrum: 35%

We are happy with the readings. The Kessil A360WE's do not have the same spread as the AI's and are mainly in the mix to add a bit of shimmer for aesthetics.

 

[revhtree]

So your overall intensity, on the attached image, was 50%?

 

[Mike&Terry]

Disregard the last question..sorry need to read more. get sidetracked by awesome photos.

I answered anyway, LOL!

 

[Mike&Terry]

So your overall intensity, on the attached image, was 50%?

No. For the AI Hydra 52's, the peak lighting period starts at 50% with a 30 minute ramp up to 100%. Since we don't use all of the LED colors, the fixture is not really using 100% of the wattage available for the fixture, but certain individual LED colors are set at 100%.

This wattage limitation was addressed with the AI Hydra 52 HD's which allows you to make use of the "unused" wattage from one LED on another. If you look at the percentages listed for our AI Hydra 52HD's, you'll see the blue LED's are set above 100%. Hope this makes sense.

 

[Heather w]

That's not a good sound is it!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using REEF2REEF mobile app

 

[Heather w]

We rented a PAR reader and got general readings. I want to buy one. Where did you get yours and what ball park price should I Be looking at. Why did you switch meters?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using REEF2REEF mobile app

 

[justingraham]

We rented a PAR reader and got general readings. I want to buy one. Where did you get yours and what ball park price should I Be looking at. Why did you switch meters?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using REEF2REEF mobile app

It's the pmk module from Neptune u will need an apex

 

[Mike&Terry]

That's not a good sound is it!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using REEF2REEF mobile app

No, it's not, LOL.

 

[Mike&Terry]

We rented a PAR reader and got general readings. I want to buy one. Where did you get yours and what ball park price should I Be looking at. Why did you switch meters?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using REEF2REEF mobile app

It's the pmk module from Neptune u will need an apex

Thanks Justin!

Hether, as Justin mentioned, you need an Apex controller in order to use Neptune's PMK Par monitor kit. We did not switch meters. The PMK kit was purchased in August and used minimally to see what kind of PAR values we were getting in the new tank and whether we needed to make some changes to our lighting. We did end up switching out (2) Kessil A360WE fixtures for (2) AI Hydra 52HD's though.

 

[ddwmedic]

I agree with the comment that the noise goes away after a week or so break-in

 

[Mike&Terry]

I agree with the comment that the noise goes away after a week or so break-in

Good to hear and thanks for sharing your experience with us!

 

[allrover75]

Hey, just to comment on your gyre. They have been known to be noisy until they have run in, but I had one that sounded like yours. After a couple of days I didn't want to risk it never getting better so returned it. The supplier tested it and confirmed it was faulty and provided a refund. I have had an xf130 previous to that, and that was nigh on silent.

 

[Mike&Terry]

Hey, just to comment on your gyre. They have been known to be noisy until they have run in, but I had one that sounded like yours. After a couple of days I didn't want to risk it never getting better so returned it. The supplier tested it and confirmed it was faulty and provided a refund. I have had an xf130 previous to that, and that was nigh on silent.

Good to know... we'll give it a few more days to see if it settles down.

 

[BF90GMixedReef]

Have you taken your Gyre apart and cleaned it recently? Sounds like something is in the propeller.

 

[Mike&Terry]

Have you taken your Gyre apart and cleaned it recently? Sounds like something is in the propeller.

It's brand new and was just added to our tank Sunday evening. It's been making the same noise since startup. Mike took it apart to make sure the bearings were seated properly twice now - the first time before it went into the tank and again Tuesday night. We're going to try the spare set of rotors tomorrow and see if they make a difference.

 

[prsnlty]

This is a very short clip taken a few minutes ago. This is the noise we are hearing from the XF250 gyre...

Seems you may have a faulty pump. That would seriously bug me and I would think the fish also.

You tank is gorgeous as always! [emoji7]

 

[Mike&Terry]

Seems you may have a faulty pump. That would seriously bug me and I would think the fish also.

You tank is gorgeous as always! [emoji7]

I hate to say it, but it sure is looking that way...