Is this light any good?

[maevepotter]

Hi, can you tell me if this light seems fine? I'm using one on my fowlr 29g and one on a 20g QT tank. Will it support corals and anemones? Given the cheapness of leds, it seems like a marketing scam to buy more expensive lights.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M0PF72P/ref=sxts_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1534969621&sr=1

Full Spectrum 6-Band: Professional full spectrum includ cool white14000K 4pcs/ 6500K 2pcs, blue 460nm 8pcs, uv 420nm 2pcs, red 630nm 1pcs, green 520nm 1pcs. provide more useful spectrum for your fish, coral and reef.

Has anyone ever used regular grow lights like this one?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B071QYJJNV?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd_title

I also wondered what people think of the coral life 50/50s

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002AQ44O/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_7?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Thanks

 

[James M]

My corals didn’t seem happy with the kingbo light

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

It’s actually not bad.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/par-testing-kessil-a80-vs-30-kingbo-bulb.329909/

The grow light could work for coral but it’s bright pink. Really for green plants.

The coralife is a LOT less par. I had it on a 5 gal pico for a couple years.

 

[maevepotter]

Thanks for that thread. Isn't part of testing par looking at how deeply it penetrates? They're just doing the surface at 12".

 

[Flippers4pups]

The kingbo would probably grow chaetomorpha pretty well.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Thanks for that thread. Isn't part of testing par looking at how deeply it penetrates? They're just doing the surface at 12".

It’s a side by side for power. 12in is used to create a standard. They also could have done it at 14 16 18. But most have lights 8-14 so 12 is prettt good to do a quick side be side.

 

[maevepotter]

So the kingbo is actually more powerful? From what I remember of what I read about lighting, the values for the more expensive light were rather low? Is the kingbo too strong?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

So the kingbo is actually more powerful? From what I remember of what I read about lighting, the values for the more expensive light were rather low? Is the kingbo too strong?

Yup. More par. There have been some critiques of the spectrum but none I’ve seen actually done with lab tests just opinions . I’ve seen a dozen or more tanks use Lights like these successfuly.
And no not too strong at all unless you mount it a couple inches of the water.

 

[maevepotter]

Is this ok? Thanks for that feedback, that makes me feel a lot better. I was afraid I'd kill the coral/anemone.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I think you’re fine. If your are switching from another lamp, you may need to acclimate a bit. That’s about all.

 

[maevepotter]

Is there a general recommended height from water for most lights?

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

Anywhere from 4 to 12 inches over the water is typically where people end up at.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Is there a general recommended height from water for most lights?

All lights produce diffent patterns and intensity. Most lights like yours and metal halide and t5 require a test for par and you have to consider the live sock needs. Ie you would probably hve two of those on your tank if you wanted a clam an mont them a bit closer to the water.

It’s that bit that I think reefers are most confused by.

 

[maevepotter]

And given that test has been performed, is it better that I mount 12" from water, or that I need to borrow a par reader to see the readings far down in the tank?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

And given that test has been performed, is it better that I mount 12" from water, or that I need to borrow a par reader to see the readings far down in the tank?

I’d spilt the difference honestly.
If that light at 12in is 200 par at 24 in its probalt a bit less than 100 par.
That is a pretty standard reccomendation. 100 par on the sand.
A bit less is also fine and very common.
And yea if you really really want to know , you need a par meter. A lux meter is cheaper and will get you in the ball park. Devide lux by 60 =par

But most honestly just take a best guess and it works , mainly becuse most common coral and anamone will take a very wide range of par levels. I have Xenia in my low lit sump and at 700 par at the top of my DT for example.

 

[maevepotter]

Thank you so much, this is so helpful.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Thank you so much, this is so helpful.

Your welcome!

I should add , that the only concern typically in changing Light and Light levels is acclimation. Going from low to high levels , you want to go slowly , add intensity slowly by increasing with a dimmer or distance , or the amount of time the light is on.

Keep an eye on he corals , they’ll thrill you if they don’t like it.