Lighting Help

cameraman954

cameraman954

Member
I've made my own custom frag tank.
The dimensions are 19.5 inches x 18 inches x 6.5 inches (LxWxH)

I'm going to put egg crate in the section after the over flow. The section roughly about 19 inches x 14 inches.
I want to buy LED lights for the frags. I want to have a little of everything, for example acans, zoos, chalice, hammer corals. So basically all types of coral. What should I be looking for? I want a light strong enough for the coral, but know nothing about LED's and wattage.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
You should PM 2Quills and ask him to come to this thread. He's always full of LED ideas.
From what I have researched over the last few months is that most people agree to go the DIY route with 3w CREE LEDs. A nice variety of whites, blues, royal blues and pinks seem to work best, with drivers that can be dimmed and adjusted as needed. I'm no expert on what and how many to use, however.
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
I would have to think that the Par 38 bulbs would be sufficient with the right optics.
 
cameraman954

cameraman954

Member
Could I do something like this?
PLEASE NO LINKS TO COMPETITORS
The first one is a 1:1 ration of blue and white and the second one is 2:1 ratio
 
cameraman954

cameraman954

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///t/388999/lighting-help#post_3434386
I would have to think that the Par 38 bulbs would be sufficient with the right optics.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dimmable-PAR38-W-B-LED-Aquarium-Reef-Corals-Grow-Light-/110646443892?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUA%26otn%3D5%26pmod%3D350462171531%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D4132287758407150132#ht_3924wt_1075
Like this?
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
Just a heads up this forum is run by a company (Saltwater Fish) and it is frowned upon to post links to competitor sites and ebay. With that being said, I would not purchase that par 38 bulb. I don't like that it has 30 degree optics, but they could be OK since it is only a frag tank.
 
cameraman954

cameraman954

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///t/388999/lighting-help#post_3434404
Just a heads up this forum is run by a company (Saltwater Fish) and it is frowned upon to post links to competitor sites and ebay. With that being said, I would not purchase that par 38 bulb. I don't like that it has 30 degree optics, but they could be OK since it is only a frag tank.
My apologies. If I wanted to buy a a better bulb, how many degree optics should I be looking for?
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member

  • Comes with 3 Royal Blue, 1 Blue, 2 Cool White and 1 Warm White CREE XR-E LEDs

  • Available with 60 or 80 degree lenses

  • Anodized finish prevents corrosion and rust

  • Compact size is perfect for Nano and Pico tanks
    Only uses 17W
    Fits standard E26/E27 light sockets
    Universal voltage (110-240V)
    Please email us for bulk (5+) pricing
^
Good Info
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
You really don't need any optics for a tank this shallow, they simply aren't needed. Since this is a frag tank I would think you're main focus would be strictly for growth purposes and less emphasis on personal visual preference?
This would be a perfect kit from Rapidled:

I'd do 6 royal blue and 6 warm white. That's a good combo for growth.
For a $125 you can't go wrong. And with the ability to repair the fixture or make changes yourself, it's far cheaper than replacing expensive par 38's every time a led blows.
 
cameraman954

cameraman954

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/388999/lighting-help#post_3434420
You really don't need any optics for a tank this shallow, they simply aren't needed. Since this is a frag tank I would think you're main focus would be strictly for growth purposes and less emphasis on personal visual preference?
This would be a perfect kit from Rapidled:

I'd do 6 royal blue and 6 warm white. That's a good combo for growth.
For a $125 you can't go wrong. And with the ability to repair the fixture or make changes yourself, it's far cheaper than replacing expensive par 38's every time a led blows.
Where would I find this?
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
If you want a plug and play system...look into the Reef Koi fixtures. There's a guy down here in Texas who makes them and initially designed them for his frag tanks. He sells some beautiful specimens. They've been working very well over frag tanks for many folks for a couple of years now since they came out.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member

larger image

Evo50 Dimmable LED Fixture

$219.00
All New Dimmable LED's from Evolution LED Lights.
Completely re-designed LED fixtures featuring the latest in high intensity 2 watt LED technology.
All 4 models have built in dimmer controls (manually tuned knobs only, no external controller or programming capability)
Features:
8" wide 10" long 3.25" from light face to top of dimmer knobs.
2 watt Bridgelux LED's
8' Dual Power Cords, 1 for White, 1 for Blue
On/off Switches to turn on/off Blue/White Separately
Gloss Black Powder coated Housing.
1 Ultra Quiet Cooling Fan.
4- 12" Stainless Steel hanging Cables.
9-460nm blue 6-450nm blue, 10-14000K White.
1 unit covers approx 18"x18"x18" tall tank
 
cameraman954

cameraman954

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/388999/lighting-help#post_3434434

larger image

Evo50 Dimmable LED Fixture

$219.00
All New Dimmable LED's from Evolution LED Lights.
Completely re-designed LED fixtures featuring the latest in high intensity 2 watt LED technology.
All 4 models have built in dimmer controls (manually tuned knobs only, no external controller or programming capability)
Features:
8" wide 10" long 3.25" from light face to top of dimmer knobs.
2 watt Bridgelux LED's
8' Dual Power Cords, 1 for White, 1 for Blue
On/off Switches to turn on/off Blue/White Separately
Gloss Black Powder coated Housing.
1 Ultra Quiet Cooling Fan.
4- 12" Stainless Steel hanging Cables.
9-460nm blue 6-450nm blue, 10-14000K White.
1 unit covers approx 18"x18"x18" tall tank
Would this be strong enough for any coral? I want to do spa, lps, clams etc.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by cameraman954 http:///t/388999/lighting-help#post_3434478
Would this be strong enough for any coral? I want to do spa, lps, clams etc.
Yes, his origional fixtures were utilizing one watt leds and he grew everything under them, clams, sps, etc. Now that they are upgraded to two watt leds you shouldn't have any problems what so ever keeping what you want in a shallow tank like that or in tanks up to 18".
 
S

siptang

Guest
Corey - Quick Q,
Now, if I wanted to venture out into the world of LEDs, which would be the cheapest/effective way to do this?
4 feet long tank and preferably with legs now. (I'm talking my wife into getting rid of my moldy top)
Sorry, OP, didn't mean to highjack your thread.
 
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