LED Coverage issues

[FEED ME ZOAS]

Hello all! After using a par meter, my suspicions of my lighting were confirmed. I have terrible coverage. So it's a 40 breeder, and I have a reefbreeders superlux over it. Standard Chinese black box LED. Anyways, I'm thinking I'm either going to supplement with a 2 bulb t5ho fixture, or just completely switch over to t5s with a 6 bulb fixture. I figured I'd post here about this to let some more experienced reefers advise . If I left important information out, let me know and I'll get back as soon as possible. Thanks all!

 

[Mark75]

I would switch over to T5,...not a fan of LED.

 

[BlueDevil]

What coverage issues are you having? Front to back or top to bottom? Is the rock structure part of the problem causing shadowing possibly? How big is the fixture, as in does it cover the entire length of the tank?
I wouldn't necessarily ditch LED altogether. I've been very happy with coverage on my tank. But found that the 40B would need two lights to get complete coverage. It all depends on the coverage data for your specific light. If the square area covered by the lights is smaller than the dimension of the tank you're going to have issues and might need another fixture.

 

[FEED ME ZOAS]

What coverage issues are you having? Front to back or top to bottom? Is the rock structure part of the problem causing shadowing possibly? How big is the fixture, as in does it cover the entire length of the tank?
I wouldn't necessarily ditch LED altogether. I've been very happy with coverage on my tank. But found that the 40B would need two lights to get complete coverage. It all depends on the coverage data for your specific light. If the square area covered by the lights is smaller than the dimension of the tank you're going to have issues and might need another fixture.

My light is identical in size to the ones you have yash. Simply not long enough for the tank.

 

[BlueDevil]

My light is identical in size to the ones you have yash. Simply not long enough for the tank.

Yeah. Unfortunately that's the same issue I had. One was just a little too short so I had to go with two to get full coverage.

The problem with T5 is that you'll have to build a hood or some type of fixture to retro fit your LED so that the two lights are side by side and not one above the other causing shadowing.

 

[FEED ME ZOAS]

Yeah. Unfortunately that's the same issue I had. One was just a little too short so I had to go with two to get full coverage.

The problem with T5 is that you'll have to build a hood or some type of fixture to retro fit your LED so that the two lights are side by side and not one above the other causing shadowing.

Yeah, that's why I was thinking of switching to t5 and then use the LED elsewhere.

 

[Reeflogic]

Or just buy some decent LEDs

 

[FEED ME ZOAS]

Or just buy some decent LEDs

We'll see [emoji14]

 

[Reeflogic]

 

[BlueDevil]

Or just buy some decent LEDs

Hey don't knock the Chinese boxes man. That hurts my feelings!

 

[Reeflogic]

I was only kidding!!!

 

[BlueDevil]

Yeah, that's why I was thinking of switching to t5 and then use the LED elsewhere.

But then you get into the lifetime cost of the lights debate. Buy another LED and you'll be set for a long time with no bulbs to replace or fading spectrum to worry about [emoji6]

 

[BlueDevil]

I was only kidding!!!

No you weren't. You're a savage, man ... pure savage! [emoji14]

 

[cale0721]

No you weren't. You're a savage, man ... pure savage! [emoji14]

[emoji91][emoji91][emoji91][emoji91][emoji91][emoji91] lol

 

[FEED ME ZOAS]

But then you get into the lifetime cost of the lights debate. Buy another LED and you'll be set for a long time with no bulbs to replace or fading spectrum to worry about [emoji6]

Very true. I've got a lot to consider [emoji14]

 

[BlueDevil]

This is @Reeflogic when he was still a pup in training ...

 

[Reeflogic]

rofl.....

 

[Rob.D]

This is @Reeflogic when he was still a pup in training ...

LOL!!!!!!

 

[CastAway]

No denying, a lot of LED users supplement with T5's.

I run T5's on my fuge, and hate paying to replace bulbs! Nonetheless, I personally wonder if an LED/T5 combo is not the best there is in the hobby right now.

 

[BlueDevil]

No denying, a lot of LED users supplement with T5's.

I run T5's on my fuge, and hate paying to replace bulbs! Nonetheless, I personally wonder if an LED/T5 combo is not the best there is in the hobby right now.

I agree. An LED/T5 combo is probably what will give the best results. That Geismann Aurora fixture is so freaking sweet but mucho $$ [emoji53]