LED color combo

.AcroKiller. · Nov 1, 2012

what do you guys think of this color combo and amount of leds for my tank. The tank will be a DSA 185 60Lx30Wx25T. The LEDS will be 56 cool whites 36 blue 20 royal blue 6 green 3 red maybe 4 UV mounted 14 inches high using 2 rapid led heatsinks 20x6 which will hold 72 blue and white leds with 40 degree optics and the remaining royal blue and white leds will be mounted on 2 u channels one on each side of the fixtures without optics and the green and red leds will be mounted evenly space on the heat sinks.

.AcroKiller. · Nov 1, 2012

also my royal blues are 445 NM and the Blues are 460-465 NM

Dowtish · Nov 1, 2012

I would go with more blues than whites.

.AcroKiller. · Nov 2, 2012

Dowtish said:
I would go with more blues than whites.

why??

Reef Breeders · Nov 2, 2012

iiluisii said:
why??

Because if you dont, you will have a 10k or lower look.

Reef Breeders · Nov 2, 2012

I would make the blues royal blues, you will get better growth that way

.AcroKiller. · Nov 2, 2012

Reef Breeders said:
I would make the blues royal blues, you will get better growth that way

what you recommend for full spectrum

Dog Boy Dave · Nov 2, 2012

My system has 50 percent kool white and 25 percent royal blue and 25 percent reef blue. The tank is whiter than most people like. However, when they see it in person though most people are blown away by the true color. If your husbandry skills are up to it your colors under the whiter light are much more intense and your eye can actually see them as well. I wont comment on blue tanks but the word "crutch" come to mind.

Reef Breeders · Nov 2, 2012

Dog Boy Dave said:
My system has 50 percent kool white and 25 percent royal blue and 25 percent reef blue. The tank is whiter than most people like. However, when they see it in person though most people are blown away by the true color. If your husbandry skills are up to it your colors under the whiter light are much more intense and your eye can actually see them as well. I wont comment on blue tanks but the word "crutch" come to mind.

SOme people do like that look, it is usually reffered to as the tide-pool look. Personally I like to go towards 14k, and that is what most corals will be under in the wild.

Reef Breeders · Nov 2, 2012

In addition to 56 cool whites and 56 royal blues, I would add 8 470nm blues, 4-8 greens, 8 reds, and 8 or more 410-420nm UV.

.AcroKiller. · Nov 2, 2012

what do you mean by crutch

Dog Boy Dave · Nov 2, 2012

iiluisii said:
what do you mean by crutch

People often use the blue lights to make them "think" their corals are colorful when actually they are seeing the blue light itself reflecting back. It often masks the true color of the coral. Under white lights a healthy coral will show plenty of color it the colony is given time to adapt to the lights. While I agree the bluer lights are useful and they should be included in the mix as they do "add pop" and they aid in the full development of the colors, for viewing the coral, if it is helathy and well aclimated, then the 10 K look isnt a bad thing. Its just that a lot of systems are not healthy enough to show good color underneath the the 10K lights so people use the bluer lights as a "crutch" to make them think that their colors are better than they actually are.

.AcroKiller. · Nov 2, 2012

Dog Boy Dave said:
People often use the blue lights to make them "think" their corals are colorful when actually they are seeing the blue light itself reflecting back. It often masks the true color of the coral. Under white lights a healthy coral will show plenty of color it the colony is given time to adapt to the lights. While I agree the bluer lights are useful and they should be included in the mix as they do "add pop" and they aid in the full development of the colors, for viewing the coral, if it is helathy and well aclimated, then the 10 K look isnt a bad thing. Its just that a lot of systems are not healthy enough to show good color underneath the the 10K lights so people use the bluer lights as a "crutch" to make them think that their colors are better than they actually are.

oh i see

.AcroKiller. · Nov 2, 2012

im going with 40 royal blue 16 blue 56 cool white 8 cyan 8 violets 8-10 green and 3 red what you guys think. i dont want to go with to much red

Reef Breeders · Nov 2, 2012

iiluisii said:
im going with 40 royal blue 16 blue 56 cool white 8 cyan 8 violets 8-10 green and 3 red what you guys think. i dont want to go with to much red

Cut the number of greens and cyans in half, and double the reds. Also go with more royals, or less whites

Disneyg · Nov 2, 2012

what is the difference in the 60, 90 & 120 degree spreads on the reef breeders fixtures? Which is best for a 36T x 33W x 72L bow front (24W at the ends), mixxed coral tank?

Disneyg · Nov 2, 2012

Currently I have 2 - 60" Super Actinic VHO, 3 - 400 WT 20,000K metal Halides and 12 blue LED moonlights. I am having great growth & like the color. How do your controllable LED fixtures compare to what I have now? Besides the fraction of heat emmision, electric cost & bulb replacement intervals being fantastically better with LEDs.

Reef Breeders · Nov 2, 2012

Disneyg said:
Currently I have 2 - 60" Super Actinic VHO, 3 - 400 WT 20,000K metal Halides and 12 blue LED moonlights. I am having great growth & like the color. How do your controllable LED fixtures compare to what I have now? Besides the fraction of heat emmision, electric cost & bulb replacement intervals being fantastically better with LEDs.

Please post that ? In our forum, or PM me.

.AcroKiller. · Nov 3, 2012

i was told that rapid led heat sinks cover a 30 in spread. their heat sinks are 20x6 and hold 36 leds so i have two of this so 2 should be good enough for my tank which is 60Lx30W.