PC Light strength vs LEDs

[jaymoney2]

So I am currently running a current PC fixture with 2 36" 96W bulbs. they are both 14000K UVL bulbs.

My kenya, pulsing xenia, zoas and frog spawn are all doing well- i have them all on the top of my rocks, about 10-12" blow the surface with the light about 4" from the top.

I am thinking of setting up DIY LEDs, but am trying to keep my options open for when i switch to a 120 in the next year or so. i was hoping to build 1 of the 2 fixtures now, and then could build a second to fully cover the 120.

What are the PAR vales that PCs put out? I want to be able to produce the same light or more for my 65g tank with 1/2 of the 120g lighting setup, as i do with my PC setup.

I seem to find plenty of info on MH equivilent to LED, or the number of LEDs to support SPS... but im interested in getting by or slightly improving my output from the current setup.

im currently thinking a total of 72 x 3w Crees, 3 blue to 1 white, split between 2- 18"x8.5" heat syncs. so the 65 would get 27 blues & 9 whites spread over 18x8.5. i will definately use optics, but no opinion on the angle just yet.

any thoughts on PC to LED equivalent, or spread, or whatever would be greatly appreciated

 

[dunc101]

I am not sure what the PC to LED equivalent is, however, I do not think it really matters.

If I understand correctly, you are doing 72 leds for the 120 that you are upgrading to and 36 LED's now for your 65 correct? That sounds about perfect to me! If the LED's will also be 4 inches off the water, 80 degree optics are as high as "tight" as you want to go. It would do even better if you could get them up to 8 inches or so off the water to prevent "spotlighting." You may even first try without optics at all if you insist on 4 inches off the water. Just make sure you use a splash shield or use the waterproof LED spray.

 

[jaymoney2]

No, I was saying my PC lights are currently about 4 off the aquarium. I would Definately do 8-12 inches off the top. Do you think a 60* optic would work in that case.

My primary concern was that 36 LEDs on a 8x 18 heat sync would be at least equivalent In par to my pc's if not better, Al's also that the spread would be sufficient. It would probably be better to stick 18 each on 2x 9 or 12" syncs, but I'd like to have the 18" for stepping up to a 120g down the road