Lighting?

Mmsetta · May 8, 2014

Tank has been up since November as fowlr. Looking to add an anemone and eventually some easy corals. Concerned about lighting and confused about led output standards.

38g bowfront tank. I have a Kona Sun led stip. it is 65% bright white and 35% blue. I was told it is equivalent to 36w, 14000 k. Not sure what the PAR is.

Is this enough for a long tentacle anemone or a bta?

And can anyone give me led specs for corals in a nutshell. All the threads I read on this end up being a testimony on what LEDs someone made or are using.

I know I've been told 4x watts per gallon for lighting. That puts me way low. But, is this true for led's too? I can't imagine my tank with 3 more of these strip lights- just seems it would be way too much light!

Please tell me I don't have to buy anything more! But, if I have to to keep new livestock healthy id like to know now.

Reefing Madness · May 8, 2014

A 3 watt LED unit with 90-120 degree optics, at 60watts, is running at 250w metal halide strength. So if you've not seen the new units running at 120w, WOW, ya gotta see how much light those things are giving off. Or even the Hydra 90watt units, incredible amount of light. So adding a few more strips to yours, or getting a newer unit would be a good idea. And for the cost of those things, I'd opt for a newer unit, it'll only cost you a few more bucks.
The light you are currently running won't support a Anemone.
Value LED Fixture | Reef Breeders LEDs
OR-U120 LED Aquarium Light_Aquarium LED_OCEANREVIVE LED
165W Full Spectrum Dimmable LED Aquarium Light Bridgelux Coral Reef Fixture | eBay
120W LED Aquarium Light Dimmable Full Spectrum Reef Marine Coral LPS SPS Lamp | eBay

SeahorseKeeper · May 8, 2014

Mmsetta said:
Tank has been up since November as fowlr. Looking to add an anemone and eventually some easy corals. Concerned about lighting and confused about led output standards.

38g bowfront tank. I have a Kona Sun led stip. it is 65% bright white and 35% blue. I was told it is equivalent to 36w, 14000 k. Not sure what the PAR is.

Is this enough for a long tentacle anemone or a bta?

And can anyone give me led specs for corals in a nutshell. All the threads I read on this end up being a testimony on what LEDs someone made or are using.

I know I've been told 4x watts per gallon for lighting. That puts me way low. But, is this true for led's too? I can't imagine my tank with 3 more of these strip lights- just seems it would be way too much light!

Please tell me I don't have to buy anything more! But, if I have to to keep new livestock healthy id like to know now.

The watts per gallon rule is antiquated with options for lighting that are available now. LED's provide a more concentrated amount of light at a lower wattage. PAR is going to be more important in determining the amount of lighting that is needed. That being said I would upgrade the light fixture to something that is a little bit better. ReefingMadness made some great suggestions.