How high off AWL are your LED's?

[R6REEFER]

Hey guys and gals,

Just as it states, I want to know how high off of average water level are your LED fixtures. Feel free to share pics and info on your system. Reason I ask is because with the way I have my canopy, my lights set at a little over 5" above the water. That's pretty intense. Needless to say I have to cut down on the intensity. I'm thinking of cutting the canopy to where I can have the lenses flush with the wood. If I decide to do this it's going to be a pretty arduous task and I will only gain a mere 2.5 inches off the water. I have roasted a few corals dialing in the intensity but honestly it's been bothering me with how close they are. I have 3 fixtures on a 6' tank so spread isn't too bad but I feel it could be better.

Ive been on the fence about the modification so let's see if anyone can persuade my decision!

-Thanks in advance

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

are they dimmable? if so Honesty imo, if they are its more about coverage and spread. Make sure none of that light is wasted, and itll look better too.

And im one of the light meter guys. a Lux meter will tell you if you have too much and guide you in correct acclimation.
its just like testing any other parameter. A $15 lux meter or the $70 for a Milwalkee.
Ideally for "most" 40,ooo lux at the top of the water is enough. Med to high light corals.

The other obvious one is, is it easy to work in there and are you worried about salt and lamp cooling?.

 

[R6REEFER]

are they dimmable? if so Honesty imo, if they are its more about coverage and spread. Make sure none of that light is wasted, and itll look better too.

And im one of the light meter guys. a Lux meter will tell you if you have too much and guide you in correct acclimation.
its just like testing any other parameter. A $15 lux meter or the $70 for a Milwalkee.
Ideally for "most" 40,ooo lux at the top of the water is enough. Med to high light corals.

The other obvious one is, is it easy to work in there and are you worried about salt and lamp cooling?.

Yes they're Hydra fiftytwo's, all controlled on computer. The spread is fine, it could be a tad bit broader but that's splitting hairs. I was trying to find a good PAR meter but there's no way in hell I'm paying what they ask. I haven't heard much on a LUX meter. What exactly does it measure? The units cool just fine because I drilled 4" diameter holes it the canopy for the fans to breathe. Salt creep doesn't reach them.

 

[phantomreefing]

Kessil recommends 12 in... I have them at 10in above the water

 

[zoomonster]

Usually they have a recommended height off the water from the manufacturer as a starting point. Like salty said though its more about coverage and spread. I think mine are about 6" off the water but at least for Kessil A360WE's and my tank that's a good height for coverage and spread w/o a lot of light shining out of the tank. I don't have any front or sides and the back is black anyway. And of course intensity and coral placement is adjusted appropriately.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yes they're Hydra fiftytwo's, all controlled on computer. The spread is fine, it could be a tad bit broader but that's splitting hairs. I was trying to find a good PAR meter but there's no way in hell I'm paying what they ask. I haven't heard much on a LUX meter. What exactly does it measure? The units cool just fine because I drilled 4" diameter holes it the canopy for the fans to breathe. Salt creep doesn't reach them.

it measures light intensity. by using the intensity you can get a pretty close calculation of par. Or just track intensity for acclimation, or sensitive corals.
amazon does ok with the $15 meter, milwalkee is $75 I think for a really decent one.

heres a long thread. here is the best page.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lux-meter-par-meter-whats-the-difference.237738/page-2

and over all long slow acclimation.

 

[R6REEFER]

Usually they have a recommended height off the water from the manufacturer as a starting point. Like salty said though its more about coverage and spread. I think mine are about 6" off the water but at least for Kessil A360WE's and my tank that's a good height for coverage and spread w/o a lot of light shining out of the tank. I don't have any front or sides and the back is black anyway. And of course intensity and coral placement is adjusted appropriately.

Yes I believe for the Hydra's its 10" to 14" but that isn't possible for this tank unless I was going to ditch the canopy and hang them. The spread seems fine to me as is but I want to get the most out of the lights.

 

[R6REEFER]

it measures light intensity. by using the intensity you can get a pretty close calculation of par. Or just track intensity for acclimation, or sensitive corals.
amazon does ok with the $15 meter, milwalkee is $75 I think for a really decent one.

heres a long thread. here is the best page.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lux-meter-par-meter-whats-the-difference.237738/page-2

and over all long slow acclimation.

So there is a way to calculate PAR via the LUX meter, or at least a rough estimate? It definitely seems like a product I'd like to have, I'll look at ordering the Milwaukee!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

So there is a way to calculate PAR via the LUX meter, or at least a rough estimate? It definitely seems like a product I'd like to have, I'll look at ordering the Milwaukee!

Yes exactly.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lux-meter-par-meter-whats-the-difference.237738/page-2

led lux par
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/2/equipment

 

[R6REEFER]

Thank you good sir!!