Par 38 LED spotlights

[BennyFrank]

This is an interesting approach to reef lighting. LED is already the most efficent choice in artificial marine lighting, and you're taking it one step further by only focussing it where it's needed on the islands. I've seen this spotlight concept applied to FW cave biotopes before, and the effect is stunning.


Another possible benefit; it may also function as a growth inhibitor in the rest of the tank for things like nuisance algae, cyano, dino, etc, etc...cool!

+1. I have (3) 20,000K PAR30s w/ 60 degree optics on a 29gal. Most of the light is on the rockwork and I've noticed decreased algae growth, on the glass especially. Even during the cycle there was just a light dusting on the glass occasionally. What the turbos didn't mow down, a mag float took care of easily.

The different optics on each island is an interesting idea. I'd like to see how it turns out.

 

[Jacwil]

A PAR38 would be fine over that tank. You may even need to raise them up a bit so you don't burn the corals. 60* optics would be perfect. 40* would not give enough spread on that tank.

I ended getting 2, 20k 60 deg. op's p38's from nanotuners! they're having a sale this weekend and they were only 88 per.

 

[sonofgaladriel]

Thanks for all the help and advice guys! I'm just about the bite the bullet and buy 4 of these bulbs while they are on sale, 60 degree optics, 20K coloration.

 

[Anemonebuff]

I ended getting 2, 20k 60 deg. op's p38's from nanotuners! they're having a sale this weekend and they were only 88 per.

Great deal. Best of luck.

 

[RMR RaC3R]

i have read about 70% of this thread and havent seen much as to lighting a 17" long tank.
attempting to light a 17L x 10W x 8.5 Tall. 20k seems to be a good option. would this work for 17 inches of tank length? possibly an 80 optic was my thought, but i havent seen the 80 optic on nano tuners. any input on this? would i need 2 of the par 38's for this tank above?

-bill

 

[BennyFrank]

i have read about 70% of this thread and havent seen much as to lighting a 17" long tank.
attempting to light a 17L x 10W x 8.5 Tall. 20k seems to be a good option. would this work for 17 inches of tank length? possibly an 80 optic was my thought, but i havent seen the 80 optic on nano tuners. any input on this? would i need 2 of the par 38's for this tank above?

-bill

You might need to think more about your width than your length (that's what she said... sorry I had to ). Anything over 40 degree optics will spill light considerably outside of 10". In order to avoid light spill you will need to mount it lower, which may be too intense at only 8.5" tall. A PAR30 lamp might be more appropriate for a tank that size (smaller diameter and usually ran at a lower wattage than the PAR38). FWIW these are the ones I have and I am very happy with them so far.

 

[RMR RaC3R]

You might need to think more about your width than your length (that's what she said... sorry I had to ). Anything over 40 degree optics will spill light considerably outside of 10". In order to avoid light spill you will need to mount it lower, which may be too intense at only 8.5" tall. A PAR30 lamp might be more appropriate for a tank that size (smaller diameter and usually ran at a lower wattage than the PAR38). FWIW these are the ones I have and I am very happy with them so far.

oh, yes rapid led. lol
my train of thought was with the par 38, i will not have to use 2 of them. it is a desk tank, so extra light isnt a problem. :hammer:
the only problem is, if i mount them so i get no spilled light it will be to intense for lps, and zoas like you mentioned..
i could also offset the par 38 towards the back to limit the spilled light in front of the tank.

any other thoughts on optic choices and which "par" bulb to use? or better yet, what would you chose?!
thanks

 

[Anemonebuff]

My Rapid LED PAR38 12Ks use 60* optics and at 27"(22" tank and bulb mounted 4.5" above the water) above the water give a 16-18" spread across the bottom of my 125. Being so shallow you could use 80* optics and keep them closer to the surface. Nanotuners will put 80* optics on theirs and they are now on sale for $88(+$5.95 for the optic switch).

 

[RMR RaC3R]

My Rapid LED PAR38 12Ks use 60* optics and at 27"(22" tank and bulb mounted 4.5" above the water) above the water give a 16-18" spread across the bottom of my 125. Being so shallow you could use 80* optics and keep them closer to the surface. Nanotuners will put 80* optics on theirs and they are now on sale for $88(+$5.95 for the optic switch).

with 80 optics, i would need to keep the light closer and would it be 2 intense of light. with the 60 optic, you said a 17" spread. i sent a message to NT and im waiting to see their opinion..

 

[Anemonebuff]

No it would not be too much light. It would be closer so that the light doesn't spill over much. This would help you so that you do not have to mount the lights too high.

 

[RMR RaC3R]

No it would not be too much light. It would be closer so that the light doesn't spill over much. This would help you so that you do not have to mount the lights too high.

thanks, with the 80 optic i could just move it up away from the tank if its to much light.. your prolly right about all the light that would spill over.. :thumbsup:

 

[Brian94558]

I'm setting up a 12"x12"x12" cube and was wondering if I should go with a par30 bulb over the par38 bulb? I had a 20k par38 bulb with 60 degree optics over a 5g back in Jan but I noticed that a lot of the zoas and palys either faded in color or were closed up the majority of the time, so I'm wondering if they were maybe getting too much light or not enough?

 

[RMR RaC3R]

I'm setting up a 12"x12"x12" cube and was wondering if I should go with a par30 bulb over the par38 bulb? I had a 20k par38 bulb with 60 degree optics over a 5g back in Jan but I noticed that a lot of the zoas and palys either faded in color or were closed up the majority of the time, so I'm wondering if they were maybe getting too much light or not enough?

par 38. i talked to someone at nano tuners, and they recommended one par 38 for every square foot..
you should be good with one par 38, but i have never had one, i am going based on charts/graphs off their website and info staff has supplied me with.

 

[Trevenator]

I'm setting up a 12"x12"x12" cube and was wondering if I should go with a par30 bulb over the par38 bulb? I had a 20k par38 bulb with 60 degree optics over a 5g back in Jan but I noticed that a lot of the zoas and palys either faded in color or were closed up the majority of the time, so I'm wondering if they were maybe getting too much light or not enough?

I also would say a Par38. I have a friend with 20k par38 bulb with 60 degree optics over his 12" cube and he loves it.

I have 3 over my 22" cube

 

[boyer]

Do you guys think 12K 60optics and a 20K 60 optics would be overkill on a 12gallon eclipse tank? I just bought a 20K 60 optics and think it might be a little more blue than I would like. I think a 12k 60, would balance it out as well as get a better light spread.

opinions?

-Chris

 

[darb85]

curious how many par38 bulbs I would need to replace my 2 250w MH HQI? I will be using t5 to supplement, but trying to save some money here. it will be over a 60x24x20 tank

Thanks

Brad

 

[rtparty]

How many people in here are using the RAPID LED PAR bulbs. Either the PAR30 or PAR38.

I am about to purchase the PAR30 bulbs from them through the group buy and just want to make sure which model to get.

I have a 40 gallon breeder and will be using an Aquactinics TX5 and then a couple of these bulbs to spot light my islands. I don't really need a ton of PAR but still want to get the shimmer from the LED's.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Hi all. Sorry but I haven't read all 27 page sof this thread. However, I am interested in using the PAR38 lights which I found on Dr foster & Smiths website unless there is a better place to purchase them.

But here's where my questions come in. Current tank is a 400g, 7' long by 2.5' wide by 3' deep tank. I am currently lighting it with 2 400W DE Mh bulbs on a movable track. The current tank design has two large islands on each end with a low outcroping in the center.

So I am trying to figure out if these lights will work for me and what arraingment would work best. The tank has support bars that run from front to back and basically give me 4 equal size openings in the top area.

I have two thoughts on this:

1. One lighter per opening placed in the center. This would put the main light on the rocks/corals and leave the back opensection darker.

2. two lights over each opening, one near the back and one near the front. This would I beleive almost completely flood the tank with lights.

I like the idea of "spotlights" above each island. I'm growing mainly Monti Cap corals and Zoa's in the tank with a few Chalice and LPS.

So any input's? Here's pic's of the tank.

Rights side island.

Left side island. There is now a large orange monti cap groing on the top.

Center. The toadstool is no longer in the tank. It died.

Here is an old picture of the tank before I lost all my pumps and my fish suffocaited.

 

[Anemonebuff]

curious how many par38 bulbs I would need to replace my 2 250w MH HQI? I will be using t5 to supplement, but trying to save some money here. it will be over a 60x24x20 tank

Thanks

Brad

10-12 bulbs. Over the tank like this lengthwise:


x x x x x
x x x x x

 

[Anemonebuff]

Do you guys think 12K 60optics and a 20K 60 optics would be overkill on a 12gallon eclipse tank? I just bought a 20K 60 optics and think it might be a little more blue than I would like. I think a 12k 60, would balance it out as well as get a better light spread.

opinions?

-Chris

It all depends on what you want to keep and how high you mount them.

One 12K and a blue Panorama or ReefBrite would be optimal. The 12K's are somewhat white. Or add a white Panorama to add white light. Two PAR38's will be very strong, don't be decieved, the blues are very powerful as well.