I posted a version of this on the DIY forum but I suspect this is the better place to ask the question. I apologize, though, if this looks like I'm double posting.
my tank is 60x18x18. i think i want to go with LEDs and I see some good choices at Rapid LED. I'm also trying to work a budget. A few questions:
how much light do i need if i want to grow sps?
would 2 of those 4.5 x 23 heatsinks with 24 LEDs on each do the trick? Or would that be too narrow a band of light?
4 of the 4.5 x 16 heatsinks would get pricey with 24 lights on each one.
my tank also has a center brace (big piece of glass in the middle) so it would be tricky to put 4.5 x 16 heatsinks on either side.
or i could try with the 4.5 x 9. use 4 of those in there with 12 lights on each?
as you can see i'm totally ignorant here so any help is welcome. i guess that on reflection i'm thinking maybe 4 of those 4.5 x 9s might be the way to go? but maybe i'm totally wrong here.
i could then add a strip of moonlights across the front or something like that?
i don't have a hood atm, so i'll have to build on of those too!
OR, its a bit more expensive but would it make more sense to go with 3 of those Kessil A150 lights? I'm not sure how I would place the center lamp if I took this route b/c of the brace.
Thanks for any guidance you can provide.
my tank is 60x18x18. i think i want to go with LEDs and I see some good choices at Rapid LED. I'm also trying to work a budget. A few questions:
how much light do i need if i want to grow sps?
would 2 of those 4.5 x 23 heatsinks with 24 LEDs on each do the trick? Or would that be too narrow a band of light?
4 of the 4.5 x 16 heatsinks would get pricey with 24 lights on each one.
my tank also has a center brace (big piece of glass in the middle) so it would be tricky to put 4.5 x 16 heatsinks on either side.
or i could try with the 4.5 x 9. use 4 of those in there with 12 lights on each?
as you can see i'm totally ignorant here so any help is welcome. i guess that on reflection i'm thinking maybe 4 of those 4.5 x 9s might be the way to go? but maybe i'm totally wrong here.
i could then add a strip of moonlights across the front or something like that?
i don't have a hood atm, so i'll have to build on of those too!
OR, its a bit more expensive but would it make more sense to go with 3 of those Kessil A150 lights? I'm not sure how I would place the center lamp if I took this route b/c of the brace.
Thanks for any guidance you can provide.
Typcially... the number of 3w 700mA driven LEDs used is just slightly below the total gallons of the display. If budget is available though I'd go with more and dim them down. The more LEDs used, the less "spotlighting" effect.
