Is 40 watts too much for moon lighting?

S

Spar

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I should be getting my 450g tank tomorrow, foot print is 8x3 foot. I am using LED lights for the tank, 800 watts total. There are 20 indpendent strips, all 40 watts each. Could I use one of the 40 watt blue strips to keep on as a moon light at night, or will the coral hate me for it?
 
if its concentrated in one spot, it will probably be way too much. spread out over that large of a tank though should be fine. moon lights should just barely cast light over the tank. also, dont run it all night, just run it a couple hours after lights off.
 
@Wes wrote:
if its concentrated in one spot said:
actually hadnt considered the point that it would only be in one spot... think i will just order some actual moon lights, get about 8 of them to spread it out. who is the best place to buy from these days?
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i am personally wanting to get the icecap strips, drew got some and they looked nice and were easy to install
 
Wow that is way too much LED light for sure lol. Are you going to be dimming them? how deep is your tank? what are the optics on them?

Im running 100 watts on my 90 gallon and I bleach all my sps if i don't raise them up VERY slowly. I can't imagine having 800watts! (even in a bigger tank like that... probably 300 max lol)
 
@TCUguy wrote:
Wow that is way too much LED light for sure lol. Are you going to be dimming them? how deep is your tank? what are the optics on them? Im running 100 watts on my 90 gallon and I bleach all my sps if i don't raise them up VERY slowly. I can't imagine having 800watts! (even in a bigger tank like that... probably 300 max lol) said:
30" deep, lights will be raised up about a foot or more above the water. Not all 800 watts will be running, as I will be turnign off a few strips to get the color right, but still will have on 680w+ at the highest point of the day. They aren't dimmable but will have them all timed to turn on at intervals. And for the first 6 months+ will only have on 1/2 anyway until get enough coral in there. Seems like most people have about 1.5x water volume in LED's, but good part is I can turn on only enough if it does end up being too bright. I need to grab one of those Par meters soon.

Wes, are the icecaps you are referring to the: IceCap Blue LED Array Retro - 33.4 inch? http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/ICE-RLEDB36.html

I wonder how different those would be compared to the cheap dome moonlights. Probably more penetration.
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Thats it, i want the 24 inch version though to put between my two halides front to back
 
Yeah im thinking 1.5x watt in LED's is a good rule of thumb for tanks 24"+ deep. For anything under that anywhere from .8x watt for LPS and 1x watt for SPS.

I have a tad bit over 1x watt in my tank but I wish I had a tad bit less.
 
@TCUguy wrote:
Yeah im thinking 1.5x watt in LED's is a good rule of thumb for tanks 24"+ deep. For anything under that anywhere from .8x watt for LPS and 1x watt for SPS. I have a tad bit over 1x watt in my tank but I wish I had a tad bit less. said:
What brand did you go with? I had a terrible time doing research, too many choices at way too many different price ranges... no idea what was going on :)

glad I ran into the deal I did. Of course, haven't tested them on coral yet though. Next week though!
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@Spar wrote:
[I]@TCUguy wrote:[/I][quote="Yeah im thinking 1.5x watt in LED's is a good rule of thumb for tanks 24"+ deep. For anything under that anywhere from .8x watt for LPS and 1x watt for SPS. I have a tad bit over 1x watt in my tank but I wish I had a tad bit less. said:
What brand did you go with? I had a terrible time doing research, too many choices at way too many different price ranges... no idea what was going on :)

glad I ran into the deal I did. Of course, haven't tested them on coral yet though. Next week though!"]

I use two Reefbrite strips (48" 50/50) and I absolutely LOVE THEM. They have GREAT spread (almost like a t5 bulb and way better than any MH reflector), run very cool, have acceptable PAR numbers, and are very compact and slim (you could put them in a canopy that's as short as 6"). Then I also have Par38 spotlights (4x 12 watts)
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