Height of lights

[WMCWINGS186]

Hello all,
I'm setting up a Red Sea 350G2 and would like to know, give or take, at what height do you usually have the lights set above the water level?
I'm leaning towards either AI Blades or the new Red Sea LED G2 115s.
Thank you

 

[griss]

@kharmaguru @Reefing102 @wvned

 

[Reefing102]

Light height in my opinion varies based on the quantity of lights you want/need, as well as the overall coverage of the light.

With that said, in my opinion the G2 115 blows the Blade out of the water in terms of par, however your coverage will be less “even”. The G2 115 appears to have a preferred mounting height of 8 inches (with a total height from fixture to bottom of the tank of 32 inches based on the par map) and a spread of roughly 24x24 (I’m not sure on the dimensions of the 350 series off the top of my head.

With regards to the AI Blade, you’ll have more even coverage but the par maps are lackluster at best, in my opinion. It appears that for their Par readings, AI used a total 24” height (from bottom of the tank to light fixture). It appears they have an elevated tank mount which a very rough guess appears to be maybe around 4-5 inches tall (I can’t find that spec on it for some reason).

I believe the Blade is designed to be closer to the tank compared to the RedSea. Hope this helps some!

 

[wvned]

There is no set height to use for all lights. Each is designed to operate best at a particular height at which it will meet the specs given for coverage and par. This is because they all have different optics and spacing between the LEDs

Red Sea shows their light will perform like this 8 inches above a 24 inch deep tank.

Here is the same sort of thing for the Blade.

Except I can not tell what that is supposed to mean. Hmmmm, looking at the mounting options it seems to need hung higher.
Perhaps it is showing coverage of a 24x24 or 36x36inch area when hung at 39 inches from the bottom so 15 inches above a 24 inch deep tank.
Dont forget Blades are designed to be used in groups. I do not think a single one will do what you want. It is recommended to use
Peak performance is best achieved in a ratio of 2:1 Grow to Glow. So 2 Grow and 1 Glow in a hanging mount.

 

[griss]

Thanks for chiming in @Reefing102 and @wvned I knew you guys would have good info.

 

[WMCWINGS186]

Light height in my opinion varies based on the quantity of lights you want/need, as well as the overall coverage of the light.

With that said, in my opinion the G2 115 blows the Blade out of the water in terms of par, however your coverage will be less “even”. The G2 115 appears to have a preferred mounting height of 8 inches (with a total height from fixture to bottom of the tank of 32 inches based on the par map) and a spread of roughly 24x24 (I’m not sure on the dimensions of the 350 series off the top of my head.

With regards to the AI Blade, you’ll have more even coverage but the par maps are lackluster at best, in my opinion. It appears that for their Par readings, AI used a total 24” height (from bottom of the tank to light fixture). It appears they have an elevated tank mount which a very rough guess appears to be maybe around 4-5 inches tall (I can’t find that spec on it for some reason).

I believe the Blade is designed to be closer to the tank compared to the RedSea. Hope this helps some!

Thanks Shane, That was exactly the info I was looking for!

 

[wvned]

BRS tested a light and it did poorly. Then they figured out is was supposed to be 24-30 inches above the tank. Then it did well. Most of the ones I looked at aren't even made anymore or have been revised. They cost 2-3 times as much now too.
from Photon V2+ 48 for $700. I have had 2 of these.

to the Meridian 45 $1499.99

Gasoline marketing with the .99 repeating is silly to me. From a quality made light to slamming 4 pucks into a rail. Everybody has pucks now. Made in some factory somewhere. Not for me.

 

[oreo57]

Hello all,
I'm setting up a Red Sea 350G2 and would like to know, give or take, at what height do you usually have the lights set above the water level?
I'm leaning towards either AI Blades or the new Red Sea LED G2 115s.
Thank you

48x20x21 approx afaict.
Height primarily depends on width of tank and the beam angle of the intended light

Most of the light (85%- ish) should be inside the tank generally at the water surface

Say you had 1 led with a beam angle of 90 degrees.
And you want it to cover a spot diameter of your 20" width..

You'd put it 10" above the water surface.

LED Lighting Beam Angle Calculator

A simple calculator that determines spot size by a light's beam angle

store.marinebeam.com

To cover l/ r your need 2 and be short or 3 and have more overlap.

Ai blade lists 95 degrees..
Using 1 and obtaining that desires coverage would be a height of 9".

If the tank is wider, higher. Narrower, lower.

Now the other part..higher you hang it the less light at " depth" since that increases..

Say you have 2 blades 3" on center .
Your outer cone only needs to be 8.5" radius.
8.5 + 3 + 8.5 = 20"
So 17" diameter.

7 3/4" is your new height.

Farther you spread em the lower you need to mount them to avoid excessive light spill outside the tank



Starting point ..
Red sea didn't list the beam angle..
This chart points too 8" height ( face of light to water surface for 20"wide seems reasonable..
So 3 for your tank

 

[WMCWINGS186]

WOW! Thank you. Extremely informative. Good info for all to have.