2 lights = double par or deeper par?

[Cbray305]

Hey all
I have a fluval sea marine 3.0. 59 watt..25k on 4 foot 55 gall.

If i add another to promote growth and maybe some lps,

Does the second light add to par, deeper penetration, or just area of coverage with same par levels

 

[Spare time]

You do not get any extra depth, only extra par in places where they overlap. However I wouldn't get a second one of those, but rather a stronger light entirely if possible unless you are just sticking to softies. I thought I read that this light didn't have great depth penetration which I why I say that but I could be wrong.

 

[Cbray305]

Thank you for the response. I am definitely at decision crossroads.. not really able to foot a 600 bill at the moment

 

[Spare time]

Thank you for the response. I am definitely at decision crossroads.. not really able to foot a 600 bill at the moment

Actually, I double checked the par. I think if you double the lights then you should be fine for any type of coral. This is what I found

At 3": PAR=390, LUX=17,120. At 12": PAR=102, LUX=4270. 2550 lumens.


So right now at the sandband you should be getting a little over 50 par. Doubling this light would easily allow you to put more corals on the sandbed if you desired (this was my concern that lower level corals might not get enough light).

 

[Cbray305]

Perfect!.. appreciate it!

 

[Reef Racket]

Actually, I double checked the par. I think if you double the lights then you should be fine for any type of coral. This is what I found

At 3": PAR=390, LUX=17,120. At 12": PAR=102, LUX=4270. 2550 lumens.


So right now at the sandband you should be getting a little over 50 par. Doubling this light would easily allow you to put more corals on the sandbed if you desired (this was my concern that lower level corals might not get enough light).

I’ve been trying to get this question answered for over a month now... I have the same light however I have the Marine 3.0 42watt... averaging about 250 PAR (based on the manufacturing chart) and running two of these side by side in the AIO Fluval 32.5 gal... two of these should be enough for all softies correct?? Also... since you seem to know your stuff... when turning down the light for example blue light from 100% to 80% is that decreasing the PAR? Or just power output? So when the manufacturer says the PAR is 250 at 3” is that only at 100%?

 

[lion king]

Check the wattage of each individual led, that's where you get deeper penetration. 1w leds give you good pentration, good for lps on the sand bed of 20" deep tanks. The leds on this light appears to have .25w leds. If you want deeper penetration I would supplement with a light using a higher wattage led.

 

[Reef Racket]

Check the wattage of each individual led, that's where you get deeper penetration. 1w leds give you good pentration, good for lps on the sand bed of 20" deep tanks. The leds on this light appears to have .25w leds. If you want deeper penetration I would supplement with a light using a higher wattage led.

Tank is only about 15” deep after accounting for water level and sand bed... and I hoping with two of these it will be sufficient for Anemone, torches, hammers, frogs pawns and some mushrooms?? You think these can two lights can handle these guys at that depth even though most will be half that deep or so?
Also, do you mind telling me where u found the specs on the individual LEDs? This light seems to be exclusively for the AIO Fluval Flex 32.5 and has a weird part number and is 42 watts which doesn’t show up on the Fluval chart of lights... kinda frustrating...

Thanks for all your help though!

 

[Reef Racket]

Actually, I double checked the par. I think if you double the lights then you should be fine for any type of coral. This is what I found

At 3": PAR=390, LUX=17,120. At 12": PAR=102, LUX=4270. 2550 lumens.


So right now at the sandband you should be getting a little over 50 par. Doubling this light would easily allow you to put more corals on the sandbed if you desired (this was my concern that lower level corals might not get enough light).

Thoughts?

 

[lion king]

These lower watt led fixtures are commonly elusive about listing wattage per bulb. Take total wattage and divide by # of leds. 1w was gold standard, I think some are now using even higher. Most fixture using these lower watt bulbs generally don't get that great long term positive reviews. These fixtures tend to be ok for softies and low light corals. Euphylias and mushrooms likely will do fine as you can easily place them up higher. Ricordeas may need higher light, you'll see if the mushrooms actually appear to be reaching toward the light, if so they're likely not getting enough. 15" isn't that deep, per se, but I'm not sure you will get the intensity needed for an anemeone long term with .25w leds. I am not the anemone expert though, so others will have to chime in.

 

[Spare time]

I’ve been trying to get this question answered for over a month now... I have the same light however I have the Marine 3.0 42watt... averaging about 250 PAR (based on the manufacturing chart) and running two of these side by side in the AIO Fluval 32.5 gal... two of these should be enough for all softies correct?? Also... since you seem to know your stuff... when turning down the light for example blue light from 100% to 80% is that decreasing the PAR? Or just power output? So when the manufacturer says the PAR is 250 at 3” is that only at 100%?

Turning down the percentage will lower par. Typically PAR from manufactures is with all channels at 100%.