LED Intensity

[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

[intarsiabox]

Marko had a thread awhile back showing his 3 Sol's over his 180g and it looked good. I have a 36"x24" tank and have 2 Sol's over it as a single unit of either the Sol's or Radions wouldn't cover the area to my liking. I wanted lots of intensity over the entire square footage of the tank with no dim areas on the edges. My height is 12" above the water line and going through a glass top and run at 60%W, 70%RB & 70%B. It took me about 3 months to build up to this level (I used the amount of algae it produced on the glass to know when to increase the level) and haven't seen any need to go any higher. Corals all seem happy and the tank is very bright and pleasing to my eyes.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

Marko had a thread awhile back showing his 3 Sol's over his 180g and it looked good.

Ya, I used that as a guide, although he doesn't really have much for coral at this time to see how SPS react.
Dez also uses 3 and has great results, although he did add supplemental strips to fill in the shadows.

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Ya, I used that as a guide, although he doesn't really have much for coral at this time to see how SPS react.
Dez also uses 3 and has great results, although he did add supplemental strips to fill in the shadows.

I think 4 units would eliminate shadows but would personally try 3 and then see if the extra cost is needed or not. My tank is only 20" deep so I can't say if raising the lights a couple inches higher and cranking up the intensity to 100% (over time) would give you the effect you are looking for or not. While I'm sure it'll grow coral just fine, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[Aquattro]

Ya, for my tank I'll try three, see how it looks. The MH setup is all contained in the canopy, so I can simply put it back while saving for a fourth unit, then try again

[Madreefer]

Your gonna need 4. Biggest mistake I see is people not getting enough of them. Once your corals are used to them, which in my case has taken since Sept you can crank them up to 100%. You just have to be patient as you run in to problems with bleaching and brownout. Since ive started to get closer to the 100% mark i've seen better growth and color. I've copied a lighting schedule off of a member on that other site and it's turned out great.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Ya, for my tank I'll try three, see how it looks. The MH setup is all contained in the canopy, so I can simply put it back while saving for a fourth unit, then try again

which ones are you looking at?

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

ok so why don't you start with two units for your tank.

get on with it and buy a couple already

Steve

don't think 2 will be enough, I'm ok buying three (closer to June). I'll run them and see what happens. If my tank dies, I'll blame you