Is one par38 enough?

LittleBee

LittleBee

New member
So here's the situation. I have a marineland reef capable led that I've been running for over a year now and the othe day I noticed the plug that plugs into the fixture was very hot. So I went to unplug it and noticed if you move the cord around the light flickers and shorts out. So I pulled out the plug and the little plastic fitting on th plug has melted partially.

So I'm either going to call marineland (their hold time is greater than 30 mins right now) or just get a new light so I don't have this happen again. I would like a better quality light anyways. Problem is I don't have the funds to dish out for a fancy fixture and it's only for a ten gallon so I don't wanna spend a ton anyways. I was thinking a par38 bulb from rapidled with 80 degree optics.
12 LED PAR38 Bulb (Mixed Color with UV) - Rapid LED
Would this one be okay to cover the whole 10g with no worries? Or is it going to spotlight?
 
It would be more than enough for a ten-gallon. If you can plan to mount the bulb as high as you need to for a good spread without scorching corals I would say go for it. Especially if this is a dimmable one.

But yes, it's going to spotlight because that's what it does. If you don't want that look I would look into something without a tight cluster of LEDs.
 
Had the same thing happen to me with the same marineland fixture a couple years ago on my LPS tank. It seemed that the cord length to the power supply was too short and the weight pulled on the connection and eventually melted the entire area and could no longer keep a solid connection. I still have it in my basement in pieces lol.
 
Well I called marineland and they said they would send me a new fixture. I'm surprised bc Ive had the light for over a year. I still think I'm gonna go with the par38 though. Since it does cause the spotlight effect I think I'll get two to cover both sides of the tank.
 
For a 10g you could use two Par30's instead, and still have plenty of light. I am running two BoostLED Par30's over my 10g (2RB:1CB:1CW:1NW) with their clamp lamps - work great with plenty of coverage and good color with 60 degree lenses. Not much more than two Par38's in cost either.
 
Brittany I honestly think one will do. IMO start with one...you could always get another.

Just raise it up until the spread covers the tank with little to no bleed over the ends. Depending on what corals you keep, you may have to tweak placement a bit or possible re-scape...but re-scaping can be fun, (my fav part), and very manageable on a 10g.
 
Brittany I honestly think one will do. IMO start with one...you could always get another.

Just raise it up until the spread covers the tank with little to no bleed over the ends. Depending on what corals you keep, you may have to tweak placement a bit or possible re-scape...but re-scaping can be fun, (my fav part), and very manageable on a 10g.
 
Thanks for all the input guys! I will buy two just in case I do want to put two on it, while I have the extra cash. If I only end up needing one I could always set up another tank ;) lol jk but it wouldn't hurt to have an extra. I really hate reaquascaping. Ik that sounds weird but once I find a scape I like I don't want to change it and I have it perfect right now. I was annoyed that I had to take all the rocks out to replace the sand but I just happened it be able to rescape it just like before(idk how that was possible lol)

So I will buy two, try one and see how it looks if I need to I'll hang the second one as well.
 
I ve been really happy with marinelands customer service. I usually get some perky southern women who answers the phone. Replacement heaters are sent quickly.
 
The first models of these light had a cord issue where they could mely and cause a fire. They noe replace them with a new one that doesnt and also has a timer on it at no charge. Been using mine for a year now had the same issue over the summer and it was replaced. Recieved it on 3 days including the day I called them. Awesome service.
 
Yes as soon as I called back tomorrow with the model number they are going to send me a new one. Maybe she sent out the new one today when I called..idk it wasn't very clear but I will double check tomorrow. When she said they could send me a new one I was really shocked. I was thinking its almost two years old, they won't want to cover it. But they are! Makes me very happy. It worked great up until now. It grew multiple sps and anemones for me but lately it has just been giving me problems. We will see how fast it gets here. I'm still gonna order a par38 anyways just to try something new and different.
 
I have a couple of the older Par38's from Rapid over a 20L, and had one over a 10g, but the ends won't get much light, even with 80/ 90 degree lenses - enough for low light corals like mushrooms, brains, candy canes, etc. though....

Oh, and give a look to Ledtric's "full-spectrum" Par38's...aka the "zooman72" bulb, uses a few different colors emitters to give more of a "spectrum spread"...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
LED fixture lighting help (replacing old T5 HO)
Replies
5
Views
461
griss
griss
B
Getting back into reefs after a decade away.. Questions
Replies
3
Views
253
Dustin07
D
Brian60077
Great reasonably price light system
Replies
0
Views
141
Brian60077
Brian60077
C
Maxspect jump led issue
Replies
0
Views
138
Cruzersmith
C
Reefing102
My UPS - Do you have a UPS back up?
Replies
7
Views
560
Guygettnby
Guygettnby
Back
Top