Advice: RapidLED fixtures for RSM Reefer 250?

[Tigah]

If someone has had experience with the RapidLED fixtures please chime in. I'm thinking about 2 fixtures over a 65g Red Sea Reefer setup and was wondering if this setup was enough. Thanks in advance!

- 12 CREE Cool White XP-G
- 14 CREE Royal Blue XT-E
- 6 Violet UV
- 2 CREE Red XP-E
- 2 CREE Green XP-E
- 60 degree lenses
- 3 channels (whites, blues, violet/red/green)
- 3 Meanwell P dimmable drivers
- 2 6" x 10" Black Heatsinks w/ hanging kits
- LED Clear shields for protection from splashing

 

[lpsouth1978]

Are those numbers a total number of LED's, or per fixture? If it is per fixture it should do well. If it is a total number, I would double that. I have been using LED's for years and have always felt that more is better. The more LED's you use, better the coverage (ie - less or no shadowing, no disco ball effect, no color banding). The further apart the LED's are the worse the color banding and shadows will be.

You do not need to go with 60 degree lenses for that tank. I would recommend 80 degree, if you must have lenses. Unless you are hanging the light 24"+ above the tank, there is just no need. I have no lenses on my led's over the 300 and still get 500 PAR on the sand when they are turned all the way up (of course, I also have 152 diodes for every 100 gallons). Lenses will make it harder to get good color mixing and can cause spotlighting.

 

[Tigah]

18 LEDs per fixture, so 36 total. Thanks for suggestions.

Anyone out there with any experience with this particular company?

 

[lpsouth1978]

I have never used one of their kits, but I get most of my LED supplies from them. They are great and their customer service is top notch. If anyone else replies to this thread I think they will tell you the same thing. You can even email or call with any questions you have about any aspect of your build and they will walk you through it. Can't go wrong with them.

 

[Tigah]

Good to know. I emailed them earlier today and have already received a response