Par 38 LED spotlights
- Thread starter goodtimes
- Start date
kc350twin
New member
Evil66 I'll pm you. I think it too many posts between here and Nano reef. I was going to do 4 40 degree 20k's. I may be confusing you a bit with all my questions. 
Plus I just saw the optics are changable and that helps with my decision.
I would like to mount them high off the water. I currently have my 250w MH 12" above the water.
Plus I just saw the optics are changable and that helps with my decision.
I would like to mount them high off the water. I currently have my 250w MH 12" above the water.
connecticut cichlids
Craft Beer Geek
Just placed my order for a 20k bulb...
connecticut cichlids
Craft Beer Geek
That looks real nice... That's the 20k bulb right?
Yes, it's the 20k. It took me awhile to get use to it, but now I'm really happy with the purchase.
homeboyreefer
New member
would love more info on these, as to what kind of coverage at what heights per degrees of optics
kmu
New member
This info is what we need to choose the right optics...
homeboyreefer
New member
ok so i spoke to someone at nanotuners, and he said that with 40 degree optics 30" off the ground one would get a 12" radius of light, so with that said i'm assuming that
60 degree optics @ 30" would result in a 18" radius
80 degree optics @ 30" would result in a 24" radius
does this sound correct? obviously par would decrease in relation to the increase in spread
60 degree optics @ 30" would result in a 18" radius
80 degree optics @ 30" would result in a 24" radius
does this sound correct? obviously par would decrease in relation to the increase in spread
Drag Racer
New member
Just ordered my 12k 80 degree tonight. Hope its not to bulky to build a nice holder for it. Wife doesnt like the idea of a off the wall or hang from the cieling fixture. Man its hard to make them happy.
CalmSeasQuest
Active member
I rec'd my 12K 80 degree today for a sump/frag tank test - First impressions, it's seems much bluer than 12K, gives off more heat than I expected (much more than the 26W CF it replaced but still WAY less than MH.) and it's lighter than expected. I rigged my into a cheap home depot clamp on work light after ditching the shield.
It's going to work great for my use (very close up) but puts out less visible light than I expected (not sure what PAR would be, or how corals will respond yet.)
All in all, I really like it, just don't expect the light output to "feel" like a MH.
It's going to work great for my use (very close up) but puts out less visible light than I expected (not sure what PAR would be, or how corals will respond yet.)
All in all, I really like it, just don't expect the light output to "feel" like a MH.
Drag Racer
New member
You have a pic of it you can post? Would like to see the coverage of the 80 degree. And the color of the 12k. Everyone that posted pics is of the 20k and is too blue for my taste
connecticut cichlids
Craft Beer Geek
The 20k definatly gives the tank water that " windex " look....which I love!
homeboyreefer
New member
calm are you using the 80 to light sps frags or lps softies, i was also thinking of using one of these on a 12" high tank for sps frags with the 80 degree optics really really close to the water around 4 inches above water line, i'm wondering what your impressions of the 80 deg optics light intensity and spread about 16 to 18 inches high
CalmSeasQuest
Active member
I'm using it to create a small frag tank in the center section of a sump. Sorry the photos are not very clear. They are not post processed and appear much bluer than than in person. The PAR38 12K appears much bluer (with a hint of purple) than the 150W 14K Phoenix used in the DT.
The PAR38 does not look as bright as it does in the photos. The lamp is about 6" above the water and 9" above the frags. Using the 80 degree optics, the full intensity light is only about 8" in diameter - after which it drops off sharply.
I have a mixed reef and am testing this usage with various types of corals - It will be some time before I know how successful it will be (especially with SPS.) that said, so far I like the bulb for this application - I don't have any PAR readings, so I'm just guessing but I don't think I would use it as primary lighting an anything other than a very small nano or frag tank.
Use the ikea or office depot clamp on fixtures.
Drag Racer
New member
Calm what size tank is that you have and what light fixture is on it?
CalmSeasQuest
Active member
CadLight 39G Pro - 39 gallon DT +12 gallon sump. The current light fixture is the stock CadLight 150W MH running a 14K Phoenix, 2x T5s and moonlight LEDS .
All temporary though, a 2 unit Aqua Illumination is being delivered next week
homeboyreefer
New member
nice tank calm, so it doesnt look like even the 80 degree optics offer much in terms of spread when lowered down, i figure i'm going to order the 80 with 20k and see if that will light up my sps frags but if not i guess it can always be a zoa,lps frag farm.
on a side note, i cant wait to see how the AI leds work for you as i've really wanted those lights but just don't have the ching for them to light up my cube, must be nice!!!
on a side note, i cant wait to see how the AI leds work for you as i've really wanted those lights but just don't have the ching for them to light up my cube, must be nice!!!
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