LED Lighting

[GiantBen]

I heard a few members had some LED lighting over thier tanks.
What size units do you have?
What brand?
What dimension tank are they over?
How do you like them?

 

[AMAYEU]

2 par38's @ 20k w/ 60 degree optics by nanotuners over a 12 gal nano roughly 18x17x15.

Pro's- Electricity cost reduction, longer lifespan tbd, long term cost savings due to bulb replacement vs mh/t5, plug and play for this paricular product

Con's- Spot light effect and shadows, no long term evidence of suitability for corals, foresee evolution of technology will outdate current components, like better and faster computers. Added an additional spotlight for more coverage and viewing appeal.

Just purchased a diy retrokit from rapidled and will put this in my old nano hood. Going to use the spotlights for a qt, frag or specific coral tank. I got 12 led kit with a constant current driver 6 blue and 6 white @ 3 watts each. This should arrive next week.

I am seeking a cleaner nano look instead hanging par38s and the experience with this diy. Lastly and hoping that this will have bettr spread without spoltlight effect.

Hope this helps.
Mike

 

[Grant W]

Sounds interesting Mike keep us posted

 

[peewee1467]

I have two 20k par38 from nanotuners. swapped out the 40 degree optics for 60 degree ones. good thing about these is that the 20K has the same amount of par as the 12K

got the floodlights for ten bucks at home depot.

more powerful than i had expected and pretty much made most of my zoas shrivel up and one montipora sort of bleached out. i like it more than PCs, t5HO and metal halide.

 

[Reef Bass]

Good idea using 2 of those par38s peewee. One of the comments I keep hearing from people using those over smaller tanks is that it's very much of a spot light. Having two helps even out the light. And the inexpensive Home Depot fixture works.

 

[peewee1467]

It creates a spot light depending on the optics you use and the height that you have the lamps mounted. The smaller the optics, the less spread; meaning you will have to mount the lights higher.

With the way i have my lights mounted, i'm getting just as much coverage as i did with 24" t5s ( my tank is 24" BTW) but with less light pouring into my room causing everything to look blue.

 

[NeonFish]

2 AI Blue SOL and 1 2nd Gen (before Blue came out).
some corals like it others don't so you need to aclimate them. Easily done, because you can change the % of light from the controller instead of moving the corals from the bottom of the tank to the higher levels. My acropora valida and red favia love the lights they at most 12" away. I'll post a new picture. I run the power less than 50% so I'm probably using at most 90watts for all three modules.

 

[GiantBen]

I like that flood light fixture for the Par38s. Pretty slick looking....wonder how many of these I would need to cover the new tank I'm thinking of...hmmmm

 

[GiantBen]

Can people put their real names in the replies, so I know who it is at the next meeting?

Sorry, still don't have all the screen name in order.

PS I'm Ben

 

[Grant W]

Ben don't feel bad neither do I :jester:

 

[northbay-reefer]

Does the flood light have motion sensor? so when the fish wake up in the morning and move around, the light will come on? LOL

 

[coralfarmer]

LOL! Very clever Tom!

 

[AMAYEU]

Peewee - Nice tank. Looks like an ADA? I like the flood light idea.

Tom- Motion sensor. hahahaha. How about a DIY motion sensor rigged to a powerhead. Fish can create their own waves when they are bored.

Mike

 

[Reef Bass]

I say train them to lever press like lab rats and then they can turn the lights on and off themselves!

Ken

 

[peewee1467]

Peewee - Nice tank. Looks like an ADA? I like the flood light idea.

Mike

Yeah, it's an ADA 60P. Bought it at aqua forest aquarium in the city. one of the best aquariums ive been too.