BTA and par38 bulbs

[welsher7]

I'm going to setup a 30g cube tank this fall and I plan on using two 12 LED rapidLED par38 bulbs for lighting. This is my first time using LED lighting and I think these are more than capable of supporting a BTA, but I just wanted to check.

So what is everyone's opinion on using par38 bulbs as the main source of lighting?

Thanks

 

[igarc009]

I have to PAR 30 bulbs over my 22 and my nem is happy as can be

 

[monkiboy]

on a 30g cube it might work because it is rather shallow. typical PAR depending on how high you have your bulbs mounted is anywhere from 50-110 from 6-9" waterline at the bottom of the tank at 10". i wouldn't count on long term success with them for nems but BTA don't require a ton of light, either.

 

[welsher7]

The tank is 20x18x21, so not exactly a cube.

 

[marc price]

I'd recommend three of those PA38's, and stagger them for better front to back spread. They'll work out just fine with your BTA.

Fwiw, i sold my 4x54watt HO T5 setup because i wanted a open top look down tank to be unobstructed by the light fixture. I and am currently lighting the SPS dominated 40breeder with a mix of four off the shelf 5000K 80 CRI PAR38 spots located at ~ a foot from the water surface. Two Phillips PAR 38 19.5watt 5000K 1300 lumens spotlight - http://www.usa.philips.com/c/led-lig...specifications
and two Utilitec Pro by Feit, 23watt 1400 lumens 5000K 80 CRI spotlight http://www.lowes.com/pd_150661-75774...led&facetInfo=
If i were to free up some real estate in that tank for a anemone, i wouldn't think twice about keeping it under them.