3 Mitras 6200 on a four x 2 ft tank?

[Fishmommy]

I am considering adding a third unit to my 48" x 24" x 27" deep tank.
I would mount all three sideways so that the control panels face the front of the tank to maximize the spread.

I have to use egg crate on top of my tank to keep my cat from playing in it so I lose a lot of PAR and it limits the spread, which is why I am considering the third light.

My SPS growth will determine whether I add the third light over the next month or so.

I am running the two I have on High Output at 100% at the peak of the day. Does this risk shortening the life of the light? If I add a third I can probably turn them all down a bit. Is that reason enough to add a third?

Is anyone running 3 Mitras on a four foot tank?

 

[BigAl2007]

Fortunately the GHL Mitras has been designed for Long Life even at HO mode but it's pretty much a given with any LED that less you run them at 100% the odds of extending the life of the unit improve greatly.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

3 mitras on a 4 foot is for sure serious over kill

I would go for 2 and see how you go in terms of Egg crate deflection, these babies are searing bright so you may not even need 100% high output.

 

[Fishmommy]

I have two already and my PAR under the eggcrate is under what I think I need at 100% high output. Seriously...I only have 200 at 6 inches under water.

 

[Breadman03]

You should consider replacing the eggcrate with the 1/4" mesh kit that Bulk reef Supply sells, no offense AQD. It would probably look better, as long as it stops the cat, and be a much more cost efficient solution.

Or get the third, switch to the mesh, then start another tank since you've got a rocking light just laying around...

 

[Fishmommy]

I wish I could. The dumb feline jumps on top so it needs to support her weight. She did not learn after one time so I had to put the egg crate up until she dies of old age (she is 16)

 

[akindbro4u]

try a 2 or 3 inch grate. usplastics.com i believe has some

 

[Fishmommy]

Ooh....good idea

 

[Fishmommy]

I cannot fins any larger cell size egg crate .... Link?
I can always cut the one I have to open it up some

 

[Fishmommy]

well the cat is now confined to a different room of the house as she is deteriorating with old age

the good news is I can take the lid off the tank and get the full benefit of my Mitras.
Right now I am running at 100% power - is anyone doing that?

 

[BigAl2007]

Sorry to hear about your cat. That's always tough.

 

[Fishmommy]

thanks.

anyway I am starting to think that my PAR meter (brand new!) is crap. Stuff is bleaching, even on the sandbed. I have turned the lights down to 80% even though my meter tells me that it isn't enough PAR.

Gonna shelve the meter and trust my corals to tell me what the lights are doing.