Questions about High Noon Kit and Optics

[mikevangels]

I'm in the planning stages of my build and had a few questions about the "High Noon" kits (xp-g) and also a question about optics.

My tank is 60x20x18h and I was going to go with 72 leds run by 3 drivers (using parallel strings).

It seems like most people are doing a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio of Royal Blue to Cool White. What ratio do you recommend? Also, on the white is it recommended to go half xr-e and half xp-g (high noon)? Or should I just order all xp-g?

If I mix xr-e and xp-g do they have to go on different drivers?

Finally, I can hang my light kit at any height so would it be better to keep it closer to the water and not worry about optics or is it better to keep it higher and pick the appropriate optic?

Thanks in advance.

[ReefLEDLights]

the ratio's all depend on your personal taste. some people like a bluer look, some like a yellower/whiter look.

On my 120g a 2-1 when the high noons kick on go towards 12k look,
Here you can see the raios and the color balance you can achieve with them
http://reefledlights.com/ledmytank/

The XR-Es have both Royal Blue and Cool White in them, The XP-Gs only have white.
The XPGs can be ran at a higher power so you can use different drivers for them like the meanwell 60-48d tuned to <1100 mA or the inventronics 1050. If you dont need dimming there is also the 60-1050 Meanwell.

I prefer the unit be hung away from the water so its easier for you to work in your tank and the optics will increase your power significantly.

Here is a thread where we did some testing.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2070394

without optics @ 12" we were getting a par of 59
With optics @ 12" that increased to 235


Hope this helps answer your questions.

-Rick