lighting debate - T5 vs LED on frag tank

I have a meter and would be glad to help out.They cost allot so I don't really lend it out.Calm sea quest also has one if you know him.With that shallow of a tank it will be very easy to overpower your frags and suspect that's what's going on.LED's penatrate water very well and are very directional without good reflectors.I'm tied up for the next few weeks but would be glad to lend a hand.How high do have the LED's above the water line?? I would wag you need to be atleast 14 to 18 above that shallow of a tank. My new motto is loose the bulbs!! Ha Ha :jester:

Yeah that is what i was thinking thats why i wanna go with only 12 on the new frag tank but idk i can make an 18 led fixture. I did some math n ill do 2 groups of 9 and it covers the tank great but ie 18 to many on a tank 24 x 12 x 7 with frags only 4" under the water depth? I am thinking it probably is but not to sure. And i wont know until i test it n that iw the bad part....

by setting it with a meter the more bulbs will just ensure better covrage.I'd go the 18 and raise as nedded honestly.

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Originally Posted by binford4000

by setting it with a meter the more bulbs will just ensure better covrage.I'd go the 18 and raise as nedded honestly.

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ok sounds good to me, i figured with 18 i would be fine, i like the 2 groups of 9, they have 6" x 6" heat sinks at the place i am ordering from so i was going to do 9 per heatsink, then space the heatsinks 3 inches apart and attached it all in one with a plate then throw the white LEDS on one power supply and the blues on another.

I do have another question though, i want to put a switch on just the white leds, to do so i actually have to wire it in before the power supply correct? so when i splice the power supply wires together with the plug wires at that point i would add the switch i believe. i want to be able to turn the whites off for viewing pleasures. i might consider getting a RKL but for now this will have to do, the rest is on a coralife timer so it can do day and night, just not a simple way to switch one power supply off.

also i forgot to add the 18 leds will be

12x XP-E royal blue leds running on a lpc-30 (i think) the 750mA driver
6x XP-g cool white leds on the other driver 1050mA

so since i am running a 2:1 ratio but the whites are about 30% more powerful output than the blues i am hoping it would almost equal out to a 5:3 ratio because the whites are driven harder.

LED's it is!!! just put my order in, paying about $100 more than i wanted to spend on a light but i know it will last a while and i will be happy with it. i just hope its not to much light, i guess if it is i can always raise it up some.

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Originally Posted by jolson10450

ok sounds good to me, i figured with 18 i would be fine, i like the 2 groups of 9, they have 6" x 6" heat sinks at the place i am ordering from so i was going to do 9 per heatsink, then space the heatsinks 3 inches apart and attached it all in one with a plate then throw the white LEDS on one power supply and the blues on another.

I do have another question though, i want to put a switch on just the white leds, to do so i actually have to wire it in before the power supply correct? so when i splice the power supply wires together with the plug wires at that point i would add the switch i believe. i want to be able to turn the whites off for viewing pleasures. i might consider getting a RKL but for now this will have to do, the rest is on a coralife timer so it can do day and night, just not a simple way to switch one power supply off.

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Not sure about how to wire it.I know the evolution and AI lights can switch the whites off like your describe.I would recomend you shoot motorcity reefer a PM,Brandon built a sweet DIY fixture for his 180 and the lights do as you describe.I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping out.Give me a shout when your ready to hang em and I'll swing over with the meter and help you out.

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Originally Posted by binford4000

Not sure about how to wire it.I know the evolution and AI lights can switch the whites off like your describe.I would recomend you shoot motorcity reefer a PM,Brandon built a sweet DIY fixture for his 180 and the lights do as you describe.I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping out.Give me a shout when your ready to hang em and I'll swing over with the meter and help you out.

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will do, i could also swing by your place with the fixture if that is easier, i just wont have a tank to test them upon that is the only thing...

thanks again!

Let's do it over yours when your ready that way it will be good to go.Just LMK when and we'll work it out.