Does anyone currently use the Reefer 350 Deluxe with 2 Hydra 26's hanging over the tank?
I am interested in getting this tank but a bit concerned whether the lighting will be adequate for SPS corals near the bottom of the tank. Of course, there should be no issues for mid or upper tank.
Based on http://www.aquaillumination.com/science/par.html the hydra 26s hung 24 inches up, will put out ~67 Par on a 36 x 36 inch surface. A few things cross my mind however:
- a reefer tank is 21 inches high, hanging a hydra 8 inches above the tank would be approximately, the light will have to shine about ~27 inches down give or take depending on how much sand/gravel - ergo the PAR will be < 67
- you will never run the lights on all colors at max: most likely max blues, violets and UV and ~20-24% on other colors - therefore max par will be <67
- the one upside is that the surface area each Hydra will have to cover on the reefer 350 is about 23'L x 20'W, so slightly more par
so overall, im thinking perhaps about only 30 -60PAR hitting the bottom of the Reefer 350 at best. Anyone have some more practical experience with these lights on the 350? How are they working out on SPS at the bottom of the tank?
I am interested in getting this tank but a bit concerned whether the lighting will be adequate for SPS corals near the bottom of the tank. Of course, there should be no issues for mid or upper tank.
Based on http://www.aquaillumination.com/science/par.html the hydra 26s hung 24 inches up, will put out ~67 Par on a 36 x 36 inch surface. A few things cross my mind however:
- a reefer tank is 21 inches high, hanging a hydra 8 inches above the tank would be approximately, the light will have to shine about ~27 inches down give or take depending on how much sand/gravel - ergo the PAR will be < 67
- you will never run the lights on all colors at max: most likely max blues, violets and UV and ~20-24% on other colors - therefore max par will be <67
- the one upside is that the surface area each Hydra will have to cover on the reefer 350 is about 23'L x 20'W, so slightly more par
so overall, im thinking perhaps about only 30 -60PAR hitting the bottom of the Reefer 350 at best. Anyone have some more practical experience with these lights on the 350? How are they working out on SPS at the bottom of the tank?
