question about PAR ratings and lighting a 40" deep tank

[tlalok]

i recently inherited a 220 gallon acrylic bow front measuring 48Lx40Dx26W looking to do some sps on the top and some lps to softie transitions down the reef wall of the tank. I want to use t5s for lighting with leds for shimmer supplement but not sure of my par rating below 24-30". I have halides from an old tank now but id rather not use them if i can help it. tank is in living room and i dont want to deal with the heat/cost issues.

Specifically I am looking at doing an 8x54w 48 inch t5 kit with a dual white led strip in the front to give me some shimmer.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[crvz]

You'll be pretty limited in depth with T5 bulbs, and I would expect them to wash out all the shimmer you anticipate from the LED strips. I'm not saying it's a bad plan, but you'll need to be very strategic with coral placement on a tank that deep.

 

[nikon187]

+1.. The t5 will overpower the LED limiting any shimmer they may give off. There won't be much par past 28" down.

 

[bbart12]

I have t5s over my 36" tank and agree that the amout if t5s that you will need to get over that thing will over power just about anything that you would be able to fit over the the tank with them. I don't know if you have a canopy or not but you should look into led cannons with some t5s for color. that would give you some shimmer with the cost savings of t5 and led

 

[chimmike]

LED's would be the way to go honestly, with sporadic optics to get the par to the lower portions. Just MHO

 

[phoewus]

Haha，I'm new here,and I can't help....
Waiting for my sofa....

 

[LLTooSweet]

I have a 220 display tank but my tank is only 30 inches deep. I ran a T5 setup with 8 Geismann bulbs. Nothing on the bottom of my tank was happy. My toadstool remain closed up like it would do when the lights turn off. I switched over to MH and everything is alot happier except the wife. My living room got a little warmer. lolz

 

[tlalok]

I have t5s over my 36" tank and agree that the amout if t5s that you will need to get over that thing will over power just about anything that you would be able to fit over the the tank with them. I don't know if you have a canopy or not but you should look into led cannons with some t5s for color. that would give you some shimmer with the cost savings of t5 and led

do you recommend a particular brand of led cannon? should i look into diying it with some crees maybe?

 

[dave.m]

These LEDs look to be much more the thing for deep tanks, but they are new. I don't know of anyone who is using them yet.

http://blog.captive-aquatics.com/ca...ek-pr-156-reef-aquarium-led-light-review.html

Dave.M

 

[tlalok]

http://www.edison-opto.com.tw/01_led_products_detail.asp?sn=113

this is what i need exactly. i just dont want to pay 500 bucks to the retail guy who is putting a cord on it. the 100 watt would be great.

 

[tlalok]

i could also maybe do 2 of these kits

https://www.reefledlights.com/products-page/delux-led-kits/deluxe-48-led-kit/

problem is they give no par quotes at any depths. just a blanket

The 48LED kit with 4 LPC 35-700 drivers will produce 296 PAR at 122 watts with our 80 degree optics.