Newbie Lighting Issue

[Maverik276]

Hello reefing world! So I have a bit of an issue that I’d like some advice on.

Back story.... I’m not new to the hobby. I’ve had aquariums for over 30 years but recently got into saltwater. I have a 36 gallon bow front that I started a year and a half ago as a Fowler tank. Then more recently decided to get into some easy corals (mushrooms, zoa’s, GSP).

Here’s my issue. I started with the current USA products. I liked the loop system and put in two wave pumps and one ic marine led light. Now that I have some corals I have realized that this light simply doesn’t provide enough par. I picked up a seneye and have readings of 17 on the sand bed up to around 120 by the surface. So now what to do....
I am using the stock canopy and configured the light hood to fit the ic marine led so I figure these are my options. I’d like the reefing communities thoughts.

1> try to find an led strip light that’s higher par that will fit the canopy.

2> try to add something like the orphek or3 to the Ic marine led to bolster par.

3> have an acrylic mesh top custom made for the bow front and then add a second ic marine led (not sure if this will increase par, I’m guessing not) or figure out a whole new lighting setup.

Sorry for the lengthy post and any advice or input would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance!!!

 

[alysak6075]

point 3 wont work. Thats not how PAR works unfortunately.

I like Point 2 best, but use XHO led bars, they seem to have better spread, or at least read up on orphek vs xho led bars and see what would fit better.

Point 1 depends entirely on how much room you have to work with.

Some pics would be helpful.

 

[Maverik276]

point 3 wont work. Thats not how PAR works unfortunately.

I like Point 2 best, but use XHO led bars, they seem to have better spread, or at least read up on orphek vs xho led bars and see what would fit better.

Point 1 depends entirely on how much room you have to work with.

Some pics would be helpful.

Thank you for your input. The space the light goes is about 3” by 29”. Here is a photo of the canopy.

 

[Maverik276]

Thank you for your input. The space the light goes is about 3” by 29”. Here is a photo of the canopy.

Do you happen to know of any other led strip lights like the current marine that are more powerful?

 

[alysak6075]

Led strip lights = no. (At least i dont know of any that would be powerful enough. )

there isnt enough room for the kessils. You can use AI Primes. 2 would work.

depends on your budget. I think best bet is XHO led bars or the orphek bars. But read up on how they spread light. I think XHO might spread a little wider

i would say go to the brs site and start looking at lights. Ask them about sizes. Their CS is very helpful.