what is everyone useing for deep tank lighting?

S

saintsr#1

In Memoriam
I have a 36" deep tank and wanted to know what everyone was using on there deep tanks? I will have about 3 to 4" of sand and want to be able to keep clams on the sand bed I have 400w halides but want to go a cooler route (less heat) ate there any options?
I posted in equipment section and didn't really get a response so I thought I would post here. Thanks
 
I'll tell you after 3.5 years with 4-400 wall MH + 4 VHO, I'm changing to LEDs. I've seen them in action and I'm sold. Expensive upfront but they'll pay for themselves in electric bill savings and no bulb replacement.
 
i am using 400 watt mh with diy rb leds as supplements over my 36 inch deep tank build. you could definately go all leds on a tank of this depth but you would need quite a few leds to hit the par at the sandbed you need for clams. the upfront cost may be worth the long term savings but that is dependant on where you live in my opinion. im in wisconsin with @10c KWH electric rates and i need to heat my basement tank most of the year. the watts i would save lighting the tank with all leds would be spent on heating the tank for 8 months of the year. my current 300 has 4 250 watt mhs on it and i have never had to run a chiller and in the winter my heater still kicks on at night.
 
I am in southern Mississippi, when it gets cold it doesn't stay cold and it doesn't get cold here like up north..what are 400w mh par levels at 36"? (ball park)
Can you give me a example of what kind and how many leds would I need for a length 24"x, width 36''x, 36" depth as an example..... thanks
 
Im changing out my 400w MH to AI-LED's
They are dim-able and look awesome. They actually put out more PAR at 30" than my MH.
 
Well I took some measurements and the tank is actually 35" and I will loose 1" on top and1" on bottom because the acrylic is 1" thick soooo. Once I add sand, about 3" I'll be at about 30" water depth..I think this could open up my options quite a bit.. what do you guys/galls thinkt? thanks for all the replys so far..
 
Ive seen people do 250's at 30" 400's or led's .. i think its all personal preference/coral placement/types of animals you want to raise, look your going for, cost, shimmer, color, intensity, heat issues, controllability etc.
 
Last edited:
Orcca said:
par is not an issue with LED's. same all the way down.
Click to expand...

Not sure I agree with that tbh. I have had LEDs in the past, 600 PAR just below the surface and 30" below the surface it has dropped to 12?

Is it a specific LED unit you mean. I would be interested to know of a light source with no par drop off.
 
I've seen a lot of bigger tank now this days with LED's lighting, and they say save more from electric bills as well reduced the heat in the summer time. Im currently planning to have 700 litters once we move out to a new house and im going to use LED's w/T5 comvination.
 
i have a tank that is 36" tall and 28-30" front to back (deep)

are the lumenbright reflectors better then the lumenmax reflectors? i know the lumenmax do good for front to back, but i am more worried about getting good penetration for my clams and SPS
(currently, im using PFO 400w ballast with radiums. and VHO actinics with 454 and SuperActinics)

any info or sugestions would be great.
Thanks
 
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