leds
- Thread starter mike007
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mfinn
likes zoanthids
It really does depend on several things.
The fixture power, height and width of the tank, optics, corals, how much spread you need. I'm sure there more things that could be considered.
I've seen anywhere for 8" to 18"
The fixture power, height and width of the tank, optics, corals, how much spread you need. I'm sure there more things that could be considered.
I've seen anywhere for 8" to 18"
ColaAddict
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I use a LEd fixture that uses 3 watt Leds and 120 optics. I have it 14" above the tank, which is the height I need to light my whole tank. I have SPS all the way to the bottom of my 24" high tank. My fixture is only at 50% power and its enough for my SPS at the bottom. LEDs are very powerful
Dave A
Active Member
I've seen everything from <2" to 3'+
Generally, no optics are required below 6-8", beyond that, 80-90 degrees is good for 5-15", 60 degrees works in the 10-20" range and 30-40 degrees is used for anything above that. Most LEDs are 110-120 degrees without optics and need to be kept pretty low to avoid having a lot of light fall outside the tank, no more than 8" or so. My 90 is 24" tall, but the distance from the sand to the waterline is about 22". I initially set up my fixture without optics (110-120 degrees) and found that I was lighting the wall behind the tank and the floor on the other 3 sides, if I went more than 6" above the water. I have since added 90 degree optics and raised the fixture to 8" and I'm happy with the results. Different fixtures and different tank dimensions may have different optimal heights.
My 20H has LEDs sitting almost directly on the glass cover (a spacer keeps the emitters about 1/2" above the glass), total distance from emitter to water is probably less than 1.5" and it works very well.
Pappy
Valuable Member
I've got mine (90 degree) about 10" if this helps.
