Par 38 LED spotlights
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raynist
New member
nattarbox
New member
After running these things for a few weeks, I'm getting a little more adjusted to the color and spotlighting effect. Two lights on a 30" tank is clearly not enough, I think adding a third bulb will reduce the "stage lighting" look.
One thing I cannot argue with though: polyp extension has been incredible.
I only keep soft corals and LPS (and one huge Montipora cap), so this probably isn't a big deal to anyone, but my corals have looked physically incredible since switching the lights. The Heliopora coerulea that would often remain closed and shriveled every few days (normal) has been completely expanded every since I've added the lights.
My Duncan, which has been a sole polyp since I got it several months ago, is showing four buds around the base that I swear were not there even a week ago.
I still have some issues, primarily aesthetic, with how these bulbs look, but based on the unanimously positive improvement in my corals over the 150watt MH I was using previously, I'm probably going to stick with these lights.
I will try and shoot some photos tonight.
One thing I cannot argue with though: polyp extension has been incredible.
I only keep soft corals and LPS (and one huge Montipora cap), so this probably isn't a big deal to anyone, but my corals have looked physically incredible since switching the lights. The Heliopora coerulea that would often remain closed and shriveled every few days (normal) has been completely expanded every since I've added the lights.
My Duncan, which has been a sole polyp since I got it several months ago, is showing four buds around the base that I swear were not there even a week ago.
I still have some issues, primarily aesthetic, with how these bulbs look, but based on the unanimously positive improvement in my corals over the 150watt MH I was using previously, I'm probably going to stick with these lights.
I will try and shoot some photos tonight.
JTL
New member
I bet you see a positive difference with a 3rd bulb. If it were me I would get a 12k for the middle and move the 60 degree optics from your other lamp to that one. With all the lights at the same height that should give you a nice blend. There isn't a huge difference between the 12k and 20k but it is noticeable. Put the lights at somewhere between 30" and 33" off the sand bed.
John
John
BennyFrank
New member
Nattarbox, two not enough huh? Do you have a 29gal? That's what I'm planning on putting these over and was hoping two would be enough. Do you think if they were both 60 degree optics you'd be able to get away with two? I think you said you've got them about 24" off the sandbed, are you seeing any light spill over the sides of the tank? Looking forward to those pics!
nattarbox
New member
Yes, I have a standard 29.
I have a 40 and a 60. If you used two 60s, you'd get pretty decent coverage but the overall effect would be a little dim. I don't think you'd have enough intensity to grow anything other than soft corals and low light LPS.
With my 40 degree spotlight focused on the motipora and the 60 filling in, all my corals are happy, but the overall appearance of the tank is sort of dark with these two beams of light converging. With a third light, likely a 60 or 80 degree optic at 12k to provide fill, I think I'll be right where I want to be.
I have a 40 and a 60. If you used two 60s, you'd get pretty decent coverage but the overall effect would be a little dim. I don't think you'd have enough intensity to grow anything other than soft corals and low light LPS.
With my 40 degree spotlight focused on the motipora and the 60 filling in, all my corals are happy, but the overall appearance of the tank is sort of dark with these two beams of light converging. With a third light, likely a 60 or 80 degree optic at 12k to provide fill, I think I'll be right where I want to be.
nattarbox
New member
Here are some quick snaps. Click them for bigger versions if you like.
Here you can see how the two spotlight beams are visible, creating sort of the stage lighting effect. I'm thinking one more in the middle will cut that down.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nattarbox/4564210829/" title="LED Lit by nttrbx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3654/4564210829_c982c2e3a8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="LED Lit" /></a>
I was worried about how dim the lighting is on these guys, but they seem to be doing well. And the 20k really makes them glow.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nattarbox/4564843124/" title="Caulastrea by nttrbx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3180/4564843124_b92677cd9e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Caulastrea" /></a>
You can see the new buds on the duncan in this photo:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nattarbox/4564211457/" title="Duncan by nttrbx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3438/4564211457_51a900df37.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Duncan" /></a>
And a room shot. Lots of light splash on the ceiling because there isn't a fixture to block it. I'm looking at getting a hood to help hide all the equipment that wasn't visible when I had a big fixture over the tank before.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nattarbox/4564843680/" title="New Lights by nttrbx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4564843680_1e402b8a6c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="New Lights" /></a>
The light fixtures are just generic hardware store clamp on desk lamps, minus the shade. I consider these temporary, and the search for something more minimal is on going. The flexibility on positioning the bulbs just where you'd want them can't be beat though.
Here you can see how the two spotlight beams are visible, creating sort of the stage lighting effect. I'm thinking one more in the middle will cut that down.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nattarbox/4564210829/" title="LED Lit by nttrbx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3654/4564210829_c982c2e3a8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="LED Lit" /></a>
I was worried about how dim the lighting is on these guys, but they seem to be doing well. And the 20k really makes them glow.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nattarbox/4564843124/" title="Caulastrea by nttrbx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3180/4564843124_b92677cd9e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Caulastrea" /></a>
You can see the new buds on the duncan in this photo:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nattarbox/4564211457/" title="Duncan by nttrbx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3438/4564211457_51a900df37.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Duncan" /></a>
And a room shot. Lots of light splash on the ceiling because there isn't a fixture to block it. I'm looking at getting a hood to help hide all the equipment that wasn't visible when I had a big fixture over the tank before.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nattarbox/4564843680/" title="New Lights by nttrbx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4564843680_1e402b8a6c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="New Lights" /></a>
The light fixtures are just generic hardware store clamp on desk lamps, minus the shade. I consider these temporary, and the search for something more minimal is on going. The flexibility on positioning the bulbs just where you'd want them can't be beat though.
BennyFrank
New member
Nice pics Nat. I'm in the planning stages for a standard 29gal so I will be watching your progress with these lamps. I agree, a third would help out. I will probably get one 12k and one 20K (both 60 degree) and then decide from there if I want another 12k or 20k depending on the overall color.
Very nice space, I like that Herman Miller :smokin:
Very nice space, I like that Herman Miller :smokin:
corywilson
New member
i've been thinking about putting one of these on a 3g pico on my desk at work. does anyone think heat/evap would be too much?
Majority_Rules
Member
The heat isn't bad at all, with my hand about 6" from the bulb I can't even tell it's on.
corywilson
New member
do you have any experience with it on small pico tank? i've been trying to be overly carefull with my plan and i really don't want to lug a 2 liter of top off water to work every other day..
Majority_Rules
Member
I personally don't, but there's plenty of people on here and NR that use a Par38 over their picos. With a 3g tank, I'd imagine you should be worrying about bleaching stuff, not the heat/evaporation. For a 12" cube or smaller, this is the only light I would use.
Decide how far above the tank you want to mount the bulb, then check the Nanotuners PAR chart on NR (I'd post a link but it will get deleted) to decide what degree optics you want to use.
raynist
New member
Here's one of my maintenance tanks- 150 lit by 3) 20k 40 degree bulbs on right side and a 175 HQI 20k on left side. I replaced a 400w 14k HQI with the LED's on the right. I'll be adding 3 more LED's on the left next week.
Do you have any pictures of the Par38's on your 60g cube?
I am thinking of setting one up and would like to go with the Par38's.
What K and what Optics are you using?
Anemonebuff
New member
here's one of my maintenance tanks- 150 lit by 3) 20k 40 degree bulbs on right side and a 175 hqi 20k on left side. I replaced a 400w 14k hqi with the led's on the right. I'll be adding 3 more led's on the left next week.
Anemonebuff
New member
It almost looks like there are no lights on the left side of the tank.
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