The Modified Black Box Thread

[AquaRaider44]

After researching leds I think they are 3030 3W SMD LEDs because they had to fit into this lense and there is not much that does and also comes in a 3w variety.

 

[Flippers4pups]

After researching leds I think they are 3030 3W SMD LEDs because they had to fit into this lense and there is not much that does and also comes in a 3w variety.

I'll look later for spectrums in that size. Doing a water change now.

 

[AquaRaider44]

does anyone have a par output on the new LEDs vs the old ones? I am looking to know how much par would be output by the black box with no lenses at 6 inches below water surface when hung 12 inches above water as well as at the bottom of 20 inches or so.

 

[miroch]

Can you link this for me? I am interested as it also says mixed view angles of 90 and 120. I have the new lights and mine only had 90 degree lenses.

Amazon product

 

[AquaRaider44]

Amazon product

that shows this https://gyazo.com/5d4eb6a471781356ecead48b804e75f6

 

[miroch]

Can you link this for me? I am interested as it also says mixed view angles of 90 and 120. I have the new lights and mine only had 90 degree lenses.

Amazon product

 

[AquaRaider44]

Amazon product

very odd same issue. oh well I was just curious as if they changed lenses too maybe thye changes spectrums

 

[miroch]

Amazon product

Amazon product

 

[AquaRaider44]

What is the conversion from lux to par. I see the divide by 60 rule. What should I divide by for white and blue or just blue?

 

[miroch]

I used the url code. Not working. Just go to amazon Canada and search mars aqua. The light is sold by mars hydro.

 

[AquaRaider44]

I used the url code. Not working. Just go to amazon Canada and search mars aqua. The light is sold by mars hydro.

Amazon product

I got it thanks. very odd that canada has diffrent site and diffrent info for same products.

 

[oreo54]

What is the conversion from lux to par. I see the divide by 60 rule. What should I divide by for white and blue or just blue?

I'd divide all blue by 10..
all white (or close) by 60..

 

[AquaRaider44]

I'd divide all blue by 10..
all white (or close) by 60..

Blue by 10 lol that's impossible. I have a birdsnest coral and acros at 10000 lux in blue only and it would be 1000 par. Would be dead cooked lol.

 

[Semisonyx]

I messaged several of the marsaqua sellers on eBay last night. All units being sold now are SMD LED boards. Same spectrum LEDs as the previous generation though.

 

[NDIrish]

Now this puts me back on the fence for leds lights. I was planning on buying mars aqua and leds tonight. Now I am going to have to rethink it.
I noticed that mars aqua changed 450nm from 7 to 20 and 460nm from 24 to 4.
I have watched couple videos on using a hot air rework. It doesn't appear to be to difficult.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Now this puts me back on the fence for leds lights. I was planning on buying mars aqua and leds tonight. Now I am going to have to rethink it.
I noticed that mars aqua changed 450nm from 7 to 20 and 460nm from 24 to 4.
I have watched couple videos on using a hot air rework. It doesn't appear to be to difficult.

They are hitting the blue spectrum hard now instead of the more white spectrum they had to mimic other black boxes now that are using more blue.

 

[NDIrish]

They are hitting the blue spectrum hard now instead of the more white spectrum they had to mimic other black boxes now that are using more blue.

Did you get new lights? I thought you had the non smd leds? Have you change any SMD leds?
I watched a couple of videos on how to use a hot air rework and it didn't look all that difficult. It appears the biggest issue is not blow to much hot air on one spot. Can get a hot air rework for about $70.00.
After watching the videos I probably go ahead and order the Mars Aqua lights. Also since they changed led layout.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Did you get new lights? I thought you had the non smd leds? Have you change any SMD leds?
I watched a couple of videos on how to use a hot air rework and it didn't look all that difficult. It appears the biggest issue is not blow to much hot air on one spot. Can get a hot air rework for about $70.00.
After watching the videos I probably go ahead and order the Mars Aqua lights. Also since they changed led layout.

No same old Mars from 2016. Just replaced all my LED's last weekend.

I haven't done SMD's yet.

 

[Semisonyx]

Looking at some videos, replacing SMD LEDs looks about as easy as any other soldering. However, not sure if I can find any replacements, like 420nm, on eBay from a quick search.

 

[NDIrish]

Looking at some videos, replacing SMD LEDs looks about as easy as any other soldering. However, not sure if I can find any replacements, like 420nm, on eBay from a quick search.

I agree. I watched a couple myself. Can get a rework station for $50 on eBay and scrap boards to practice with for .25 cents from Sparkfun.
So I'm going to order my lights today and see what type of leds they to know direction to go.