I came across these Par 38 LED spotlights on Nanotuners. They look great and are priced well considering they are suppose to last 4 to 6 years and use hardly any electricity. I emailed them and it sounds like I can use a couple of them for primary lighting on a 24"x16"x12" tank. What do you think of them.
Par 38 LED spotlights
- Thread starter goodtimes
- Start date
I have looked at them too for a project that is in the back of my mind. They are in the process of changing the optics to give a wider coverage (fewer bulbs) and not have to hang the lights so high. If you could light your tank with a pair then you are talking the price of a 250 kit with only 42 watts of electricity.
Please post their answer.
Please post their answer.
This is the response I got from Nanotuners...
The PAR 38 lamp can handle any corals you want, but it really depends more on how many you run for a given system and how close to the water the light(s) is. You could use one or more as primary or supplemental lighting. It's really up to you. Under standard operating conditions, the LEDs should last 4-6 years depending on how many hours the lamp is run. The warranty on the lamp is 6 months. Yes, the lamp provides the same shimmer as HQI lighting. The two primary configurations are 12k (3 white/2 blue) and 20k (3 blue/2 white). Yes, all five LEDs are in one lamp. It uses a standard e26 socket, which means that any fixture out there that you can screw a standard light bulb into will work.
So I am still not convinced 100%. I asked for some pics from them of tanks lit with these.
The PAR 38 lamp can handle any corals you want, but it really depends more on how many you run for a given system and how close to the water the light(s) is. You could use one or more as primary or supplemental lighting. It's really up to you. Under standard operating conditions, the LEDs should last 4-6 years depending on how many hours the lamp is run. The warranty on the lamp is 6 months. Yes, the lamp provides the same shimmer as HQI lighting. The two primary configurations are 12k (3 white/2 blue) and 20k (3 blue/2 white). Yes, all five LEDs are in one lamp. It uses a standard e26 socket, which means that any fixture out there that you can screw a standard light bulb into will work.
So I am still not convinced 100%. I asked for some pics from them of tanks lit with these.
Keiki Moana
New member
goodtimes: evil has a long thread at nanoreef on LEDS...its really good (but long)
gotfrogs
Premium Member
I am considering using these on a track light to replace a dual 150w DE MH setup on a gallon rimless tank. How many of these would I need to more or less be equivalent to two 150 MHs?
I assume the LEDS would work with the HA120 track light head for sale here http://www.ledgrowlights.com/sales_retail.htm ?
I assume the LEDS would work with the HA120 track light head for sale here http://www.ledgrowlights.com/sales_retail.htm ?
Tang Salad
Algae skeptic
I just got one of these in the mail today. Thanks, EvilC. 
This is the 20,000K Version (2W/3B). These pictures are to show the spread and intensity, not the color! (As others have noted before me, it's tricky to get cameras to capture the true colors of LEDs... it'll take some tweaking.) The actual color is a very crisp Blue-white.
This is a 24"x12"x16" deep 20g tank.
Here is the light 12" over the surface:
Here it's 6" over the surface:
The light is very bright, especially in the center. The shimmer is very strong and the color is great.
As it stands now, I'll probably redo my aquascaping to take more advantage of the spotlight effect.
This is the 20,000K Version (2W/3B). These pictures are to show the spread and intensity, not the color! (As others have noted before me, it's tricky to get cameras to capture the true colors of LEDs... it'll take some tweaking.) The actual color is a very crisp Blue-white.
This is a 24"x12"x16" deep 20g tank.
Here is the light 12" over the surface:
Here it's 6" over the surface:
The light is very bright, especially in the center. The shimmer is very strong and the color is great.
As it stands now, I'll probably redo my aquascaping to take more advantage of the spotlight effect.
Hamerhed
New member
I have a 20g 24x12x16 tank also and like those lights but they seem very fucused in the pictures. Too focused really. IS that just from the effect of the camera or are they really that spotty?
What do you think about having 1 at either end of the tank but pointing at the opposite side? Would 2 be overkill on such a little tank?
What do you think about having 1 at either end of the tank but pointing at the opposite side? Would 2 be overkill on such a little tank?
Tang Salad
Algae skeptic
In reality the transition from the brightest area to the dimmest is much more subtle. It's not quite as dramatic as the photos show, but it's still a spotlight. Don't forget though, it's designed, marketed and sold as a 'spotlight'.
I think 2 on a 20g would be excellent.
Tang Salad
Algae skeptic
I'd like to know, maybe EvilC can answer, but can the optics be easily switched out?
gotfrogs
Premium Member
One of the reviews that I read said that they could be changed.
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