LED for Large/Deep SPS Tank

[shaginwagon13]

Hey guys,



Which brand and model of LED is 'best' for being able to penetrate deep tanks for good SPS growth. I know 'best' is relative to budget, goals and bells and whistles. I would like to hear what options I have on pendants that have been known and used for deep tanks and good SPS growth. I plan on purchasing 5 units.

My tank is 60L x 36W x 36D

I don't need to have 200 PAR at 36" because I'm not going to have sps growing in the sand-bed but I would like high PAR on an overall basis to support good SPS colour and growth.

Before anyone suggests halides.... trust me I know, I prefer them also. I have four 400w ballasts and pendants from my last tank, but the sheer cost of electricity and two sets of bulb replacements a year has me paying over $2,000 just for the halides to operate and maintain a year. I want to reduce this cost if possible by going within LED.

Thanks guys.

 

[Gweeds]

I have the Reefbreeders photon v2 (or UK equivalent... evergrow IT5012) the par is great, near 400 at 6" depth on 100% all channels and only dropping to 150 at the lowest, farthest point away from the lights (24" water depth, 26" front to back)... the issue with leds is the spread of light. A lot of folk will recommend supplementing with t5s for good all over sps growth.

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[ca1ore]

36" high/tall is going to be a bit of a challenge. I run a 30" tall tank with a combination of Kessil spots and Radion G4 and I cannot grow SPS all the way at the bottom (though LPS does just fine). I'd say that 24" down is about the max. You could look at the Kessil narrow version, it's claimed to be able to punch down further than the 360WE.

 

[Wazzel]

Not sure LED would be your best option for those dimensions. You are going to need a lot to get coverage and punch down that deep. On top of that you would need to run them really hot, which would reduce your electricity savings.

Off the top of my head I would light that with 8-10 hydra52 or radion30 running dam near full power. I use 4 hydra52 on a standard 120 and run them at around 60% max power.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I have 2 possible suggestions:

1) As Gweeds said, Reef Breeders Photon V2 in the 50" version times 2. So you can run one in front of the other. You should get killer coverage front to back and you could even run the back one more blue to make it look like the tank is even more than 3' front to back. Sunrise/sunset and 6 channels of color control. Cost, under $1400.

2) ReeFi Lab makes a big pendant with 50 Cree 3 watt leds. It has a real glass lens that adjusts the light at 24" deep from a 2'x2' to a 3'x3'. It has serious wifi tuning ability to adjust 5 channels and do lots of sunrise/sunset effects. The case is currently made by a 3D printer and is a little rough. The mount on the tank goose neck is just electrical conduit so you can make any height and any overhang you want. It comes with hardware to mount it to the tank and the cord goes thru the conduit. I have one over my frag tank and the corals seem to love it. I had an Ocean Revive fixture there before the ReeFi-Lab. You'll probably want 3. Total cost (fixture and mounting sold separately) $1125

 

[shaginwagon13]

Thanks for all the help guys I really appreciate it.

So it looks like around 24" is my limit from the consensus in here which is alright. I will try and build up some of the rock structures slightly so I meet that 24" restriction.


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[jda]

You can cut 300W a hour off by going with 250W HQI and 20K Radium on deep penetrating reflectors. They will output almost as much as 400W MH at lower wattage.

If you want to properly penetrate, you aren't going to save any money operating LEDs. You certainly can if you cut coverage or power, which is what most people do.

 

[yitman]

ATI SIRIUSx8

 

[HippieSmell]

Orphek makes some deep water options