Side Angeled Lighting?

HeteractisMagReef · Sep 8, 2017

In my tank I have a setup of Radion XR30W G4 Pro LED lights that provide a lot of direct light downwards, and they do a great job of supporting the growth of my corals and anemones. The issue I run into is that as my corals grow larger, the interior portions of them tend to die off given that they cannot get enough light. I was thinking that having some lighting on the edges of the tank angled towards the middle may help provide this additional lighting? Has anyone done this? Any thoughts and suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

Tuffyyyyy · Sep 9, 2017

How high up are they? BRS pointed out that light does a good job of reflecting off the glass and putting a good amount of PAR towards the bottom of the tank.

As for your question: I'm sure it's out there. Not exactly the purpose you're thinking of, but the new Focustronic lights have a great swivel feature.

HeteractisMagReef · Sep 12, 2017

The LEDs are about 12" off the tank. Corals on the bottom of the tank do fine--it's the interior of the SPS corals as they grow that's the issue. The new growth over time shades the old growth such that it dies out. I'm thinking that some lighting coming in at an angle into the corals could help this.

The Focustronic lights look interesting but I think I'd like to keep with the Radions. Perhaps using an angled mount towards the edge of the canopy if there is value in doing so. Thanks.

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 12, 2017

Most folks cure this with the addition of t5s or supplemental led bars. Such as the Sbar from sbreeflight or Lumenbrights.

HeteractisMagReef · Sep 13, 2017

The Sbar looks like it would do the trick--thanks!

jda · Sep 14, 2017

That is why a lot of folks end up with T5s eventually. Colonies and point-source lights have never been good ideas even though they start out OK as frags when light can get to all of them. As the colonies get even bigger, you will need more and more lights to hit the middle and some end up with as much T5 light as LED.

FWIW - the angle can work OK, just will be another point source instead of a side-to-side light like a tube.

HeteractisMagReef · Sep 15, 2017

Thanks jda--I did have T5 lights on the sides in the past, but found that their lighting was too broad for my tank , meaning that the T5's also did a good job of growing coraline algae on the acrylic. I think that perhaps the Sbar lights, with their focused LED approach, may do better for my tank. But as you noted, they may be too focused and not provide enough light for side lighting all of the reef.