Par 38 LED spotlights

[newtank]

So I have finally setup my 214 gallon, 5 tank system. I used the rapid par 38 "old style" bulbs with 60 degree optics. I have four lights over the DT and one over the Eel tank. The lights over the DT are suspended 17" above the top of the 21" tank. Despite the pictures, the temperature is around 14k. I wanted to go for a pendant type look and track lighting installation is not an option. I came across the Zoo Med light bar and subsequently discovered the bar piece can be removed. Next I attached car battery ring and spade crimps to the top of the socket, hammered a 1/4" coated cable and attached another crimp to hook it to the ceiling. If anyone interested I can give a more detailed explanation, takes about 5 minutes each. Whole setup ran me about $60 including shipping and tax. And remember, these housings are designed for moist animal enclosures. I will paint the wiring to match the walls when I repaint the house.

OK just to test for understanding, your total system is 214 gallons across several tanks. In your picture I cant tell if the display tank is 21" long or 21" tall. I am interested because I was looking to use only 4 spot lights for a 36" long tank and need to know if that would work. I dont need light everywhere as I can scape to suite. Thanks in advance for any additional information regrading your specs.

 

[frankpayne32]

Need some advice from the PAR bulb gurus. I plan on setting up a 5 gallon nano tank (16"x8"x10"). Do you think this 5 LED bulb from rapidled will work?
http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-100/5-LED-PAR30-Bulb/Detail
I'd rather get this one as opposed to the seven led bulb. Also, how far up would you recommend hanging it and with what optics (60 or 80)? Thanks!

 

[Anemonebuff]

OK just to test for understanding, your total system is 214 gallons across several tanks. In your picture I cant tell if the display tank is 21" long or 21" tall. I am interested because I was looking to use only 4 spot lights for a 36" long tank and need to know if that would work. I dont need light everywhere as I can scape to suite. Thanks in advance for any additional information regrading your specs.

4 on a 36" tank would give you great coverage as long as the tank is not wider than 18".

 

[Anemonebuff]

Need some advice from the PAR bulb gurus. I plan on setting up a 5 gallon nano tank (16"x8"x10"). Do you think this 5 LED bulb from rapidled will work?
http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-100/5-LED-PAR30-Bulb/Detail
I'd rather get this one as opposed to the seven led bulb. Also, how far up would you recommend hanging it and with what optics (60 or 80)? Thanks!

80* optics will do fine and will add light to the higher areas of the tank. At that depth you do not need 60* optics, unless you plan on growing the highest of light corals on the bottom.

 

[frankpayne32]

80* optics will do fine and will add light to the higher areas of the tank. At that depth you do not need 60* optics, unless you plan on growing the highest of light corals on the bottom.

Thanks! at what height would you recommend the bulb over the aquarium surface in order to achieve relatively even coverage over the 16" length (i know the ends will not bright as the middle)?

 

[Crab Rangoon]

OK, i dont want to become the LED expert< I saw the spot light Ecoxotic blues on a set of 24g cubes and I love the spot light look. I want to use two, or possible 4 of these on my 150g cube. Its 36x36X24, I realize that I wont flood light everywhere, and I am ok with it. I think I can scape it out to look pretty unique, but not sure what lamp to get, I see the Evil PAR 38's look like they have 40 degree optics, same as the ecoxotic's, sounds like they will be laser beams, maybe wider optics would be better given my tanks foot print, but not sure what to get. Need to come up with something quick...

I have 6 of them over my 36x36x27" tank and get by perfectly fine. I would like to tweak my aquascape a little bit, and if I did, I could do with only 5 for sure - but with 60 or 80 degree optics on at least one or two bulbs 4 wouldn't be an issue.

I have them mounted near the outer dimensions of thefront, back, and one side of the tank - so I can aim them into the tank rather than just beaming straight down. This gives me great control over how far away the light is from a coral/rock (I can aim the front left light at a back right rock to give a lot less PAR, for example) as well as a lot more control over how much light & shadow there is on the outer viewable surfaces of my rock. It's great in the sense that for the most part, none of the outer glass walls are illuminated so I practically never need to clean the sides/back - and my MP40 is practically unseen since there is no bright light on it.

 

[newtank]

I have 6 of them over my 36x36x27" tank and get by perfectly fine. I would like to tweak my aquascape a little bit, and if I did, I could do with only 5 for sure - but with 60 or 80 degree optics on at least one or two bulbs 4 wouldn't be an issue.

I have them mounted near the outer dimensions of thefront, back, and one side of the tank - so I can aim them into the tank rather than just beaming straight down. This gives me great control over how far away the light is from a coral/rock (I can aim the front left light at a back right rock to give a lot less PAR, for example) as well as a lot more control over how much light & shadow there is on the outer viewable surfaces of my rock. It's great in the sense that for the most part, none of the outer glass walls are illuminated so I practically never need to clean the sides/back - and my MP40 is practically unseen since there is no bright light on it.

This is exactly the type of feedback I am looking for in terms of number and placement. I also like the track lighting, as it looks corded-bonus for me if I can mix and match blues with 50/50's on timers vs. hardwired. So what is the manufacturer and optics combo you use?

Thanks

 

[newtank]

I'd really wanted to use 60-80* optics on my whites and to keep my blues at 40* on a couple of my bulbs, or to swap all my optics to something wider and keep 1 white per bulb at 40* - to give a brighter focal point to the center of each one. By the time I'd wanted to do this, I think NT was out of stock / not offering other optics, and EcoXotic has still yet to offer any 60 & 80 degree lenses :sad2:

I think I'm actually about to change my lighting quite a bit, though. I've currently got 6 of the 12k PAR38's @ 40* and 3 Stunner Strips over the tank. I may be swapping 4 of my PAR lamps out for the AI Sol Blue fixture & keeping 3-4 of the 403nm UV Stunners and two of my 12k's to spotlight specific animals - such as my SPS-only island and my rock of RBTA's.

Oops, you kind of already answered my question. I think like you i prefer a combination of color and optics in effort to maximize flexibility. Now the question is for about 5 to 6 lights it adds up to $500~$600 dollars, would I get more for my money to buy the full fixture?

Too many options!!!:spin2:

 

[kmu]

Anyone knows where I could get par38s with 60 20k color and 80 degree optics specially in the all royal blue color?

 

[Anemonebuff]

Anyone knows where I could get par38s with 60 20k color and 80 degree optics specially in the all royal blue color?

Nanotuners has 20K and 60 optics and Ecoxotic has all blue ones.

 

[Anemonebuff]

Thanks! at what height would you recommend the bulb over the aquarium surface in order to achieve relatively even coverage over the 16" length (i know the ends will not bright as the middle)?

It's something you will need to play with. Unlike MH they have a determined spread and everybody's liking will be different. I tested mine out with the use of HD work lights and a ruler.

 

[SPotter]

If anyone is looking for 2 ecoxitic par38....1 white and 1 blue pm me. Practically brand new only have a few hours on them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bohannbj]

In my opinion I would never buy anything more than 60 degree optics. The coverage I get from the 60's are exceptional without stretching the intensity. I would be very hesitant with going to 80's. I would also caution putting these lights closer than 12" from the tank. Personally I keep mine 17" above the water line. Another thing to remember is that these lights need distance to achieve the higher temp spectrums. As most people enjoy 14-20k lighting, you will need to have more distance between the bulbs and the water. Also I will be receiving at least one of the new Rapid bulbs, and will give a report as to the color differences. If someone is interested in a group buy I can front the money for the initial purchase and then collect and ship out to others. Just a thought to save money.

 

[david1983]

My tank is 48x12x24 would 4 par 38 60`s be good?

 

[marinerfr]

I have a 40g breeder and right now i have nanotuners par 38 20000k with 80 degree optics and rapid leds 20000k with 80 degree optics so far so good mught buy 1 more rapid led? problem is finding a fixture to gold all the bulbs right now i have an octupuse arm style fixture but i dn think it will be strong enought to position and hold all 3 bulbs any ideas thx :thumbsup:

 

[msr224]

Bl

I have a 40g breeder and right now i have nanotuners par 38 20000k with 80 degree optics and rapid leds 20000k with 80 degree optics so far so good mught buy 1 more rapid led? problem is finding a fixture to gold all the bulbs right now i have an octupuse arm style fixture but i dn think it will be strong enought to position and hold all 3 bulbs any ideas thx :thumbsup:

Check out what I did with mine a couple of pages back. You could slip the middle. Fixture

Back with just a little DIY.

 

[halcyonism]

Just thought that I would share the PAR 38 LED fixture that I just finished putting together.

Light rack is made from aluminum channel and tube from Home Depot, fixture itself is track lighting purchased from Direct lighting. Minus the bulbs total cost was around $200 and a days work.

All bulbs are the new Rapid LED 7 LED PAR 38s.

I am pretty happy with how it turned out and the wife likes it as well, so that is a good bonus.

 

[lucidvtec]

They are new to the market and aren't really out yet. I got a chance to buy a set by luck. They are coming.....soon.

Here is the info I got from the manufacturer.... I am copying this right out of my email.....

This is a 24 watt Par 38 bulb....

Includes
6- 2 Watt LEDs @ 15000k
4- Blue LEDs @ 450-460nm
2- UV LEDs @ 400nm - 410nm people call it UV but it is wrong to say it UV ,it's just at the low end of the spectrum ,UV you canot see.

any news on these....perhaps some pics plz

thx

 

[msr224]

any news on these....perhaps some pics plz

thx

Supposedly in the next month or so from what I am reading on the internet....

They asked on another forum for some input.

I hope soon because I think I am going to add 2 more to my setup.

 

[msr224]

@ halcyonism......

WOW, those really light that tank up. I really like the look of the tank with them and that arch is awesome. The fixture is good looking and it looks like you will be able to raise and lower it as needed. Good deal.