New here need light help!!

king_neptune

Active Member
Originally Posted by Anjiro
http:///forum/post/3222487
Okay Neptune, one question, seeing as you are unhappy with the coverage is there anyway you could remove the optics? Without the optics you would not have the spot light effect but a wash of light. The lenses they are using are probably 60 degrees if its pointing straight down, 80's or none at all would be best.
I don't know what kind of optics they are. Its the same shape as you would find on a Christmas light. Long and narrow.
I am going to take a series of shots today and let you all be the judge. When I was complaining, I had the array about 3" above the surface(so Im really hoping that I spoke too soon, and maybe its not as bad as my initial impression. I'm going to raise them to an average height of 8" and see if that improves the ambient light. I really hope I'm proven wrong about them not having enough spread, and this new experiment yeilds good results.
I did stick them over my Dads 29g nano, and it lit it beautifully! so that should give you an idea of the footprint of these beams.
Originally Posted by Bulldog Steve

http:///forum/post/3222493
Neptune,
Thanks for the heads up!
I hope they work out we shall see please keep me updated.
Steve
Ill be playing with these for the next few days, and hopefully I can come up with something that is workable. I really do want to use these lights. But if it means blowing another $900-$1500, then no. I will only yield another $600 investment on these.
 
Cant wait to see the pic's.
i am also looking at Odyssea 36 '' 442 w with 1 250 w dbl ended hqi
with 2 96 w stright pin power compacts and 4 x duel blue led
but i have been told to stay away from p/c lamps
or
tek t-5 36 '' with 4 39 w lamps by sunlight supply
Steve
 

spanko

Active Member
From what I am reading you will not be unhappy with the TEK unit. Be aware you will have to buy bulbs as they come separately and possibly the splash guard as it comes separately.
 

nycbob

Active Member
Originally Posted by Bulldog Steve
http:///forum/post/3222617
Cant wait to see the pic's.
i am also looking at Odyssea 36 '' 442 w with 1 250 w dbl ended hqi
with 2 96 w stright pin power compacts and 4 x duel blue led
but i have been told to stay away from p/c lamps
or
tek t-5 36 '' with 4 39 w lamps by sunlight supply
Steve
the tek came out with a new unit called elite. its got fans built in.
 

spanko

Active Member
I think this is backwards isn't it. The lenses are what spread the light, without them the LED is like a laser beam.
 

wangotango

Active Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3223175
I think this is backwards isn't it. The lenses are what spread the light, without them the LED is like a laser beam.
Nope. Just like any other reflector on a lamp; without it the light goes all over the place, but pop one on and it's more directed.
Even without lenses LEDs are still more focused than fluorescents and halides are...
 

king_neptune

Active Member
Hear is some shots for yall:
LED alone right above the surface:

Raised to about where I would keep them if I hung them, note how the spread is better, but the cones represent where I feel I would get sufficient intensity to do corrals, camera just cant show what the human eye sees. Also notice the far end of the tank behind me, there is complete darkness:

And finally the light combined with a MH, pay attention to how the MH spreads the light much much wider:

Overall I think these lights will do great over a nano, infact AMAZING! But for larger systems, the best bet is to go with a DIY array, or something pre-made that has lenses on it.
Im now set that the money I would spend to buy 3 more of these arrays will be better spent on a DIY system that will give a much broader and more customizable coverage scheme.
These are going over a nano, its the excuse I needed to get one started. so overall Im not too bummed about these lights.
 
Thanks King,
My tank is 36l x 21d x 18 w
Do you think is would work for me with it raised up
wanting to do hard and soft reef tank.
Steve
 

anjiro

Member
If I were you on a tank that long I would go with two and suspend about 5 inches above the water. A little more expensive but you will not have to replace the lights for about ten years as opposed to yearly
 

king_neptune

Active Member
Originally Posted by Bulldog Steve
http:///forum/post/3224169
Thanks King,
My tank is 36l x 21d x 18 w
Do you think is would work for me with it raised up
wanting to do hard and soft reef tank.
Steve
Do one for now. There is nothing that says you cant get a second unit at a later date. One directly over the center would cover 75% of your tank. Leaving the sides to be wanting, so for the short term you can concentrate your corals on the center. Later when you add a second array you can have them side by side, which would indeed cover your tank extremely well.
All in all these lights will do great over my up and coming Nano. But I will still be going on ahead and with my DIY LED array over my 125. I found someone local selling a used bio-cube for $60. He says its in new condition, but has no lid. I dont need a hood, they suck anyways.
 
Spanko,
Thanks for the info. what are you running or what do you think would be a good light for me i dont want to have to up grade in a yr or so! . but i am liking that led setup
Steve
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3222620
From what I am reading you will not be unhappy with the TEK unit. Be aware you will have to buy bulbs as they come separately and possibly the splash guard as it comes separately.
 
King,
How big is that tank you are showing the pic of it that 125 gal.
And what is the distance of the cones that you drew at the bottom.
the one light on the surface and held up.
Steve
Originally Posted by King_Neptune
http:///forum/post/3223995
Hear is some shots for yall:
LED alone right above the surface:

Raised to about where I would keep them if I hung them, note how the spread is better, but the cones represent where I feel I would get sufficient intensity to do corrals, camera just cant show what the human eye sees. Also notice the far end of the tank behind me, there is complete darkness:

And finally the light combined with a MH, pay attention to how the MH spreads the light much much wider:

Overall I think these lights will do great over a nano, infact AMAZING! But for larger systems, the best bet is to go with a DIY array, or something pre-made that has lenses on it.
Im now set that the money I would spend to buy 3 more of these arrays will be better spent on a DIY system that will give a much broader and more customizable coverage scheme.
These are going over a nano, its the excuse I needed to get one started. so overall Im not too bummed about these lights.
 
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