LED Intensity

[jorjef]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

But more generally, just asking why most people run lower than 100. a single unit on a small tank is self explanatory, the lamp is clearly too powerful and you can't run less than one. But for 4' tanks, why run the lamp or multiple units at less than full, then buy additional lights to make up for it?

For me it's because I only have LPS and softies and I don't want to torch anything. I think this is the case in the other thread. There didn't seem to be alot of feedback from SPS only tanks. I increased the white by 5% one day and there seemed to be alot of corals less than fully opened, could have been fine in a few days after an adjustment period but I have way too many corals to take the chance. There will always be a give and take regarding coral colors when switching lighting systems...some will look better some won't.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by jorjef

For me it's because I only have LPS and softies and I don't want to torch anything. I think this is the case in the other thread. There didn't seem to be alot of feedback from SPS only tanks. I increased the white by 5% one day and there seemed to be alot of corals less than fully opened, could have been fine in a few days after an adjustment period but I have way too many corals to take the chance. There will always be a give and take regarding coral colors when switching lighting systems...some will look better some won't.

I guess that makes sense. Do you have multiple units? Or single fixture? If multiples, could you have gone less units at a higher intensity? Or would that still be too much, just more localized?

[Doug]

My fixture has 20- 3w lights, a combo of half blue and half white. They run full power all the time, unless I want a more blue look at times. I have acro,s less than a foot from them, near the top of my 20g tank

[jorjef]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I guess that makes sense. Do you have multiple units? Or single fixture? If multiples, could you have gone less units at a higher intensity? Or would that still be too much, just more localized?

Two units on a 48" tank. No one unit would have never been enough to cover the 48 inches, even with increased intensity. It created uneven lighting, middle 24"-30" was fine but the ends were too shaded.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by jorjef

Two units on a 48" tank. No one unit would have never been enough to cover the 48 inches, even with increased intensity. It created uneven lighting, middle 24"-30" was fine but the ends were too shaded.

Makes sense.

[Cal_stir]

Have you considered a vertex or sunbrite?

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Cal_stir

Have you considered a vertex or sunbrite?

Not really. I don't want a large fixture, and we all know tanks get upgraded all the time, so I want to be able to expand on lighting if needed. I also insist that all my devices are controllable via my Apex.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Not really. I don't want a large fixture, and we all know tanks get upgraded all the time, so I want to be able to expand on lighting if needed. I also insist that all my devices are controllable via my Apex.

ok so why don't you start with two units for your tank. lift them up and see how much area they cover and if you are happy with the intensity and then see how many you realy need.

I think if you want the light out put the same as your 400's you will not be able to lift them to high but unless you have a PAR meter to test them with you'll never know.. and asking on here is just padding your posts

get on with it and buy a couple already

Steve