I am new to reef keeping. I have not set up my tank yet. I was trying to find the correct lighting set up to be able to grow anything, when i came across this thread. I had wanted to do LEDs from the first and was convinced by people that the technology wasn't proved yet and i should stay away.
I really like the way Jae did his set up and i would really like to go this direction. I have a 60" x 18" x 24". I thought I read somewhere that 1 led would cover a 16sq in area (4" x 4"). Does that mean that 67 LEDs would be enough? That doesn't seem right. Jae has 4608 sq in and 440 LEDs which is 1 per 10.5 sq in; so for 1080 sq in would 100 LEDs be correct? When you are calculating how many you need do the royal blue LEDs count as 1 or are they just for looks?
Those of you in the know would someone please give a formula for figuring out how many LEDs you need. Figuring in surface area and depth of tank and the ability to sustain any reef creature that you can imagine. Is it possible to have 1 light fixture that can be used for any circumstance?
O....... and does distance from the top of the tank have anything to do with that math as well.
I apologize for being electrically inept. I am trying my best.
Oo.......since we're talking electricity how many of you have a dedictaed electrical line to box for your aquarium?
Thank You