Lighting help please

1983evansd · Aug 11, 2014

Hi people, I'm looking at buying coral for my tank and I'm getting some led lighting. It's 160 wats but I'm not sure if I will need 2 for my tank. My tank is a juwel rio 180 and the measurements are 1m wide x 40cm by 40cm. Will the led I've shown in the pic be enough for my tank?

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1407751707.020232.jpg

pickupman66 · Aug 11, 2014

Wow that light will have plenty of power to penetrate down into your water you will have issues on the two ends that it is not quite rated for that length of tank.

1983evansd · Aug 11, 2014

Do you think I will have shadows at the sides of the tank then? Thanks for your help.

reefhappy · Aug 11, 2014

You could probably raise the light a little and get the spread but would still just keep lower light demanding coral to the outer most areas. Or you will need two (over kill)

reefhappy · Aug 11, 2014

Or maybe a couple of Kessil 150's

1983evansd · Aug 11, 2014

Are they expensive ?

reefhappy · Aug 11, 2014

About $400 for 2, here in the US

1983evansd · Aug 11, 2014

Ok I will have a look, thanks for your help

1983evansd · Aug 11, 2014

Think I might just keep less demanding corals at the side of the tank and hope the whole tank lights up with just one light...

reefhappy · Aug 11, 2014

It should light it up but like I said you may have to raise it a little higher than normal

1983evansd · Aug 11, 2014

Yeah brilliant, thanks again.

ReefLEDLights · Aug 12, 2014

Never judge the amount of light by the wattage of a LED Fixture.

With older generation LEDs more watts = more heat

Whats the PAR?

Bill

1983evansd · Aug 12, 2014

Hi bill, I believe it's 28 par? Is this good?

ReefLEDLights · Aug 12, 2014

1983evansd said:
Hi bill, I believe it's 28 par? Is this good?

Not Sure

At 42 North Latitude surface PAR readings are over 1000

Just returned from Cancun and their reefs receive a lot more at the surface and more than the average tank at 20 meters. This fall/winter we will do a comprehensive test using several Apogee PAR Meters for comparison.

28 Seems low. The worse of the 120-140 watt imports we measures was 200 at 24"

I like to see 400-500 with a programmed sunrise and sunset.

Judging from the pic they chose the most trendy mix of LED colours.

69 pounds is the cost of a high end MH bulb plus electricity...Its worth a try and should be ok for growth.

Reliability may be an issue

Bill

1983evansd · Aug 12, 2014

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261538922351 this is the full spec of the lights.. I'm a little worried now. If you get a sec could you have a little look in description?

Thanks for your help.

ReefLEDLights · Aug 12, 2014

They are the typical import, very common.

Most purchase these with the expectation that they will need to be replaced soon. The LEDs offer a decent spectrum but the Drivers and the Thermal Management can be improved on.

There are a lot who are very happy with this option as a quality USA manufactured light like ours or ecotechs would cost about 300 pounds.

The best thing to do is find a local reefer with success using this specific fixture.

Bill