FAQ
Q: Can I change out optics or LEDs without voiding the warranty?
A: Yes, you can. So long as the fixture is not damaged by your modifications, the warranty policy is still good.
A: Yes, you can. So long as the fixture is not damaged by your modifications, the warranty policy is still good.
Q: What does the 2 year USA warranty include?
A: Our 2 year warranty includes parts, labor, and shipping both ways, for any fixtures broken due to workmanship errors, burnt out LEDs, broken controllers, and other damage not caused by misuse or faulty hanging. It does not include damage incurred by the user, water damage, or damage caused by power surges, or poor ventilation (i.e. a closed canopy with no fans). Lights lost by the shipment carrier are also not covered, damage is covered. The customer can either have us repair the units, or repair it themselves with parts that we provide.
A: Our 2 year warranty includes parts, labor, and shipping both ways, for any fixtures broken due to workmanship errors, burnt out LEDs, broken controllers, and other damage not caused by misuse or faulty hanging. It does not include damage incurred by the user, water damage, or damage caused by power surges, or poor ventilation (i.e. a closed canopy with no fans). Lights lost by the shipment carrier are also not covered, damage is covered. The customer can either have us repair the units, or repair it themselves with parts that we provide.
Q: How do I change out LEDs?
A: It is a fairly simple process, you need a soldering iron (70watt pencil tip works best), solder (1mm lead solder), and tweezers or small needle nose pliers. First, you melt the solder on one side of the LED you wish to change, and pull the LED up gently by the base. Then, you de-solder the other side of the diode, and remove it with the tweezers. You can then take the new diode, orient it correctly (the negative side will be denoted by a small - ) and solder it down to the board, one side at a time. Be sure to apply some pressure to the diode when the solder is liquid, so that the solder paste contacts the thermal pad on the board. Please be sure to only use our LEDs, as other Bridgelux diodes do not have built in failure safe systems, like the small wires in ours that keep the rest of the LEDs going when one goes out.
A: It is a fairly simple process, you need a soldering iron (70watt pencil tip works best), solder (1mm lead solder), and tweezers or small needle nose pliers. First, you melt the solder on one side of the LED you wish to change, and pull the LED up gently by the base. Then, you de-solder the other side of the diode, and remove it with the tweezers. You can then take the new diode, orient it correctly (the negative side will be denoted by a small - ) and solder it down to the board, one side at a time. Be sure to apply some pressure to the diode when the solder is liquid, so that the solder paste contacts the thermal pad on the board. Please be sure to only use our LEDs, as other Bridgelux diodes do not have built in failure safe systems, like the small wires in ours that keep the rest of the LEDs going when one goes out.
Q: How do you change out the optics, and what is the difference between 60s, 90s, and 120s?
A: You can simply unscrew the case of the fixture with a phillips tip screw driver, and then flip the top of the case forward (the controller side on the photon units, the side opposite the dimming knobs on the value series). You can then unscrew the board, and flip the board forward as well, which will allow you access to the optics, and LEDs. You can simply pull the old optics off, and put new optics of choice on in their place, they snap right in. Put the board back, and tighten the screws until they are snug. The 60 degree optics will have a lot of depth penetration, but not a lot of spread, and are ideal for 30"- 40" deep tanks. The 90s have a decent amount of depth penetration, but more spread than the 60s. We recommend them on tanks from 18" deep, to 30" deep. The 120s (or no optics on the value fixtures) have a lot of spread, but not too much depth penetration. They will work on tanks up to 24" deep.
A: You can simply unscrew the case of the fixture with a phillips tip screw driver, and then flip the top of the case forward (the controller side on the photon units, the side opposite the dimming knobs on the value series). You can then unscrew the board, and flip the board forward as well, which will allow you access to the optics, and LEDs. You can simply pull the old optics off, and put new optics of choice on in their place, they snap right in. Put the board back, and tighten the screws until they are snug. The 60 degree optics will have a lot of depth penetration, but not a lot of spread, and are ideal for 30"- 40" deep tanks. The 90s have a decent amount of depth penetration, but more spread than the 60s. We recommend them on tanks from 18" deep, to 30" deep. The 120s (or no optics on the value fixtures) have a lot of spread, but not too much depth penetration. They will work on tanks up to 24" deep.
Q: Can you make a recommendation for lighting my tank?
A: Sure, click Here to download a table of fixtures vs tank dimensions and gallons.
A: Sure, click Here to download a table of fixtures vs tank dimensions and gallons.
Q: Can any of the Reef Breeders LED fixtures be controlled by an Apex or Reef Keeper controller?
A: No, currently they currently cannot be controlled with 0-10v dimming.
A: No, currently they currently cannot be controlled with 0-10v dimming.
Q: What intensity should I start my lights at?
A: Typically we recommend starting out at around 30% max on both channels, and adding 10% a week. Turn the lights down if you notice any bleaching in your corals.
A: Typically we recommend starting out at around 30% max on both channels, and adding 10% a week. Turn the lights down if you notice any bleaching in your corals.
Q: What is the distance between the hanging screws/hooks on top of the fixtures?
A: From left to right:
Photon16: 8 1/2" between the mounting screws
Photon24:12 3/4" between the mounting screws
Photon32: 21 1/4" between the mounting screws
Photon48:
Inner hanging set: 17 and 7/16" between the mounting screws
Outer hanging Set: 35 and 5/8" between the mounting screws
Value Fixture: 8" between the mounting screws
From front to back, the distance is 5 7/16" on center.
A: From left to right:
Photon16: 8 1/2" between the mounting screws
Photon24:12 3/4" between the mounting screws
Photon32: 21 1/4" between the mounting screws
Photon48:
Inner hanging set: 17 and 7/16" between the mounting screws
Outer hanging Set: 35 and 5/8" between the mounting screws
Value Fixture: 8" between the mounting screws
From front to back, the distance is 5 7/16" on center.
Q: Do you ship internationally?
A: Yes, we ship world wide. Please contact us for a shipping quote before you order. Include the fixture you want to order, and your full address.
A: Yes, we ship world wide. Please contact us for a shipping quote before you order. Include the fixture you want to order, and your full address.
Q: Which service do you use for shipping?
A: We ship via FedEx home delivery, from Shelton, CT. It takes about 5 days to get to the west coast, and about 3 days or less to ship to the rest of the continental US.
A: We ship via FedEx home delivery, from Shelton, CT. It takes about 5 days to get to the west coast, and about 3 days or less to ship to the rest of the continental US.
Here is a video demonstrating how to program our Nova and Photon series lights.
