Which LED's are powerful enough to hold par at 4ft depth?

[veechoda]

I'm doing an overhaul of a current tank at the public aquarium I work for. The tank is roughly 200 gals, 48" high and a 24" x 36" foot print. (These are rough estimates. The blueprints given by the company that made them are inaccurate.)
What I'm looking to accomplish is grow seagrass to replace the fake seagrass on display currently. Our lighting is accomplished with a 24" MarineLand strip LED which will not be enough. I've been looking over some lighting options, but I've yet to find anything showing par at that depth.
Any advice would be very much appreciated.

 

[BigKid4788]

I know orphek has leds that can penetrate deep tanks (may need different lense)

 

[pickupman66]

wont the ecoexotic cannons do this?

 

[veechoda]

Thank you to you both. I've sent off for quotes from both of them.

 

[ash9965]

how about SB Reef

 

[lennyd19]

These also.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

The Orphek won't be powerful enough.

The canons will be the answer unless budget becomes an issue. With se grass I'm guessing you want 500 par mid way down the tank.

 

[Slm222]

Texas state aq is running the maxspect.

I also think bill wann was testing them out on his tank

 

[veechoda]

I've been wondering about the maxspect, always assumed they would be over kill.
What about a shorter depth, say 12-16". Anything hobby grade capable of putting out between 400-700? Or around 200-600 micromoles.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I've been wondering about the maxspect, always assumed they would be over kill.
What about a shorter depth, say 12-16". Anything hobby grade capable of putting out between 400-700? Or around 200-600 micromoles.

It depends on the hanging distance. But in short not without multiple fixtures.

On the low low budget end multiple mars Aqua or sbreeflight (they also do fresh water better for green plants) are likey the most powerful. They run about $100 each.
Radion models are also the most powerful but again multiple units would be needed.
(Forgive me I haven't done that math for you yet. On how many)

Also you'll have to define where in the tank you need that par.
I have Sea grass in my tank, but in the bottom at about 150 to 200 par and have little growth. My research (advanced amature) and where the grass is grown suggests much higher par Is needed.
Thus my 500 par at mid tank.

 

[veechoda]

What I'm building is a display to highlight the benthic ecology of our local lagoon. The tank is 96" x 24" x 18", so with around 5-6" of substrate the light strength would really only need to be maxed at around 6".
For the deeper tank I would need penetration at say 30". I plan to raise the substrate higher, but even then the tank is still very tall.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

The tank is 96" x 24" x 18",

Thats easy. 6 30in leds(see mars aqua or sbreeflight) would be most economical hung at 18 in.
Reefbreeders is also one to contact.

For the deeper tank I would need penetration at say 30".

yup that's the hard one. if its the same size as above you may want it may also work.

One person you could talk to is Bill at https://reefledlights.com/. He's VERY well versed in High lights. He comes from Metal halide. you would need probably 4 of his fixtures on the deep tank (assuming similar dimensions) .

A consideration as well is (although it will work) is hobbyist reef light is quite blue. A warmer tone may be ideal so " its sunny".

were we speaking in therm of MH id just say 4 14k mh 250w MH on the shallow tank and 4 100w 14k on the deep tank.

 

[GoVols]

"Freak'n Laser Beam"

https://reefbuilders.com/2016/09/14/kessil-a2000-led-is-one-powerful-commercial-aquarium-light/

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I bet they don't post the specs.

 

[GoVols]

I bet they don't post the specs.

Yeah,
Kessil just tested it... at their "Headquarters" ;Woot

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yeah,
Kessil just tested it... at their "Headquarters" ;Woot

hahahaaa...

 

[hart24601]

My lfs has a huge tank, very deep, sadly I don't have exact measurements.

Anywho they replaced 4 1000w MH with the maxspect above (4 of them) and have been very happy. Last I knew they were running them at 30%. The cost wasn't all that crazy either to light that deep of a tank.

 

[TerraFerma]

The CREE XML led's will get her done. Extremely powerful diodes that are mostly used in horticulture.

 

[1stNoel]

Yeah,
Kessil just tested it... at their "Headquarters" ;Woot

I have 3 Kessil AP700s over my tank. I was getting PAR readings over 300 at a depth of 24".

Had to turn down the intensity, as it nuked a few low light corals like it was the planet Alderaan.

 

[veechoda]

That Kessil is a beast and terrifying. I'd need a couple hundred more gallons before going for it.
As an update, I've been in contact with Ecoxotic, Orphek and SB Reef. So now the quote war has begun.