PLasma Cube

[Troy Valentine]

Well its finally time to see if this Plasma/LED fixture can grow some coral.

A little background about Plasma lighting:
http://glassbox-design.com/2009/eco-friendly-plasma-lighting-technology-reaches-aquariums/

Then Dipan took this lighting to the next level by mounting it into a Luminarc reflector.
http://glassbox-design.com/2009/diy-plasma-light-aquarium-luxim/
With the addition of 24 Cree LEDs to make the spectrum more appealing to the eye. He was able to create a fixure that has amazing potential to grow coral, and look good at the same time.

I purchased this fixture 2 years ago from Dipan, and it has since spent its time on a shelf in my garage. Until recently when rrasco came over and I tried firing it up and only half the LEDs lit up. So I decided it was time to fix the fixture and do what it was designed to do... Grow coral.... So I ordered a beautiful 60 cube Ray(Triggerman), which should be the perfect size to accomodate a 19.5"x19.5" fixture. So I spent several hours rewiring a few of the LEDs, and fortunately I was able to fix it with having to replace the driver.

Now the build:
60 Trimless Cube
No sump just a dosing pump to top off with Kalk.
Bak Pak Skimmer
Tunze Nano Stream (6045) for flow.

Pics to folllow:

[hobogato]

ooh, this is gonna be good...

[BBQHILLBILLY]

sounds neat. Id like to follow this one.

[RayAllen]

Nice! This will be a great build. Troy your current aquarium has always been one of my favorites so i know the 60g is going to be killer. Looking forward to the build progress.

[KING]

Just seen this..the tank an light is super clean...good luck with the build

[Triggerman]

OK i'm ready to see it...post a pic!

I might have to sell my 90 cube(36x24x24) because I really like the 60 cube foot print.

[Troy Valentine]

Thanks for the vote of confidence everyone.... I am a little concerned about the limited side access. I will need to get this one right the first time.

http://www.maast.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=18971&d=1359944714
http://www.maast.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=18970&d=1359944657
http://www.maast.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=18969&d=1359944595
http://www.maast.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=18972&d=1359944768
The reflector supports will eventually be clear acrylic rods. Not the wooden ones you see.

[hobogato]

it will be interesting to see the par readings once you get this up and running.

[rrasco]

YES!

[Big_Pun]

oh you dirty salty dog!! this is what I like real technology to replicate the sun!!

[Triggerman]

Do you have an option to suspend the fixture?

I can see it being a hassle to get in and out of the tank later down the road for you or possibly water splashing onto the fixture...overcourse accidentally...

[CoryDude]

Troy's got a build thread going? What's next...Chris puts his MH lights up for sale and goes all led? Allan reveals he's really a 4' 9" guy on stilts? Kristy reveals she hates everyone on maast?

[Troy Valentine]

Do you have an option to suspend the fixture?

I can see it being a hassle to get in and out of the tank later down the road for you or possibly water splashing onto the fixture...overcourse accidentally...

That is going to be a challenge. From what I see it will be virtually impossible to mount this over the tank by tradition means due to the delicate nature of the DIY lighing configuration, as well as the fact the ceiling is about 11', I would rather not have a cable hanging down 6'. So I was hoping to use 31" acrylic rods as a rail system to slide the light fore and aft on. This should give me 11" in front of the tank to access.

However I am open to suggestions.

[Troy Valentine]

Troy's got a build thread going? What's next...Chris puts his MH lights up for sale and goes all led? Allan reveals he's really a 4' 9" guy on stilts? Kristy reveals she hates everyone on maast?

LOL!!!

[reefreak]

Lol Cory looking forward to this Troy.

[fixedwing]

Looks awesome Troy. Just another good excuse to come check things out.

[FireWater]

Hey Troy. Is hanging it not an option because of the fixture itself or just because you don't want 20' of cable from the ceiling?

What about putting a floating shelf above the tank and then suspending the light from there?

[Troy Valentine]

Looks awesome Troy. Just another good excuse to come check things out.

Thank you... Come on by, you've been brainstorming your setup for a while, I would like to get your honest opinion on mine.



Hey Troy. Is hanging it not an option because of the fixture itself or just because you don't want 20' of cable from the ceiling?

What about putting a floating shelf above the tank and then suspending the light from there?

Due to the delicate nature of this DIY light, I will need some people to help brainstorm how to hang this fixture. Right now I am going to go with a clear acrylic rail resting on the rim of the tank. This will allow me 11"+ of access to the top of the tank. However I do see some potential problems with saltcreep getting on the reflector.

[Big_Pun]

so these bulbs dont produce uv like MH de bulbs? just asking as with de bulbs they require a glass cover.
good luck troy thats a complicated light, not really any options to mount this.

[Troy Valentine]

so these bulbs dont produce uv like MH de bulbs? just asking as with de bulbs they require a glass cover.
good luck troy thats a complicated light, not really any options to mount this.

Good question: Dipan and I tested the UV levels the light produced, and you are correct the UVA and UVB levels are very low, much lower than a 175 MH. The problem is that we were unable to test the UVC which is usually eliminated in the earths atmosphere.... I will try with and without the shield...