The real Black Box light study

crusso1993

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I think people come here and should expect one thing, and that is numbers and data on different lights.
So lets do this and do it correctly!
After considering all the options I think the best way to proceed would be getting another person involved to help.
I want to have @dantimdad help get this study back where it should be by looking at various lights all over the world and study them for quality,par,spectrum and overall performance.
@dantimdad could do a light one week and post his results here and I do one the next. Then we can take that data and put it on the front page with links.
I have 2 lights that I really want to test first and foremost:
The spectra- I found it here=https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/New-Design-Timer-Dimmer-Moonlight-Marine_60856191285.html
I have had these up and running once but no data yet
spectra1.jpg
spectra2.jpg
spectra3.jpg
spectra5.jpg
spectra6.jpg

Next is the Pixie 150=I have had this light for awhile and it needs a full test and review
I bought this light here for 239ea. plus shipping=https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/LuminiAqua-Hot-selling-150W-led-aquarium_60489185694.html
pixie150.jpg
pixie150A.jpg
pixie150b.jpg
pixie150c.jpg
pixie150d.jpg
pixie150e.jpg

I've said this before and I'll keep saying it, many kudos to you for the time, effort, money and self-sacrifice in doing this study!

Now, to address the new and real elephant in the room; I realize you're not necessarily looking for funds but, if you are serious about working with @dantimdad , I'll happily start a GoFundMe account for the bills you'll be racking up for upcoming psychiatric care!
 
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Manose

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I've said this before and I'll keep saying it, many kudos to you for the time, effort, money and self-sacrifice in doing this study!

Now, to address the new and real elephant in the room; I realize you're not necessarily looking for funds but, if you are serious about working with @dantimdad , I'll happily start a GoFundMe account for the bills you'll be racking up for upcoming psychiatric care!
LOL!!
 
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Manose

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I really appreciate the time and effort that you have put into this study. Thanks!

now get cracking on the Spectra :)
I must say this little light seems like it is going to be nice. The App is awesome once I figured out how to connect it to the light. Here are some pic I took on page 37:
Testing another light with a cool little app. I should have some numbers tonight or tomorrow but here are some pics................
spectra2.jpg

spectra3.jpg

spectra1.jpg

homepage.jpg lightning.jpg manualmode.jpg timer.jpg update.jpg cloudy.jpg
 

Rybren

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I must say this little light seems like it is going to be nice. The App is awesome once I figured out how to connect it to the light. Here are some pic I took on page 37:
Excellent! Looks promising. Thanks
 

Sarah24!

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I noticed in passing these pages you have 407 posts and only 76 likes....there is this book called how to win friends and influence people...you should pick up copy and read it. Have a great day!;Blackeye

Hello,

Isn’t there a movie that’s called how to lose friends and alienate people? I thought it was based on this book by an ex employee who worked for a fashion magazine.
 

Demonic

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I must say this little light seems like it is going to be nice. The App is awesome once I figured out how to connect it to the light. Here are some pic I took on page 37:

That light is probably the coolest on I have seen yet. Did you snag that one at Alibaba? I might give it a try. I love the Noopsyches you recommended by the way. I did order an Orphek and an AI Prime as well to give them a shot
 
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Manose

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That light is probably the coolest on I have seen yet. Did you snag that one at Alibaba? I might give it a try. I love the Noopsyches you recommended by the way. I did order an Orphek and an AI Prime as well to give them a shot
Yes I got it from Alibaba pretty cheap. Took me awhile to get the app going but once I figured it out is was awesome to use.
 

dantimdad

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So here is a question about this study: After we have concluded the stock testing, would the next logical step be to mod a light in different ways to see which mods are improvements and which aren't? And, when it is an improvement, is it worth it? Finally, given the cost of the mods, should you skip them and just buy something more expensive?

I have 2 black boxes. One is still stock. the other is only modded by removing most lenses, upgrading the fans and adding moonlights.
 

cvrle1

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So here is a question about this study: After we have concluded the stock testing, would the next logical step be to mod a light in different ways to see which mods are improvements and which aren't? And, when it is an improvement, is it worth it? Finally, given the cost of the mods, should you skip them and just buy something more expensive?

I have 2 black boxes. One is still stock. the other is only modded by removing most lenses, upgrading the fans and adding moonlights.

I like that idea, as if there is a way to make some of these lights even better for cheap, it would be great to know. Do you think there are any possible mods to NP lights that would improve them even further? I think you were working on defuser for them, but not sure if anything came out of that.
 

Demonic

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I like that idea, as if there is a way to make some of these lights even better for cheap, it would be great to know. Do you think there are any possible mods to NP lights that would improve them even further? I think you were working on defuser for them, but not sure if anything came out of that.

Put them in an Aquatic Life fixture and add LED bars accordingly to reach the desired PAR.
 

dantimdad

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I finished the diffuser but removed the light to test other options.

I worked very well for my purposes. Absolutely no disco effect, smooth color, still some shimmer I lost about 12% which didn't matter because, at the time I was only running 60% blue and 10% (minimum setting) whites.
 

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