Does watts on an led fixture effect how deep the light penetrates

[Slipstream06]

So I have a tank that's 58x28x28 and I was thinking about using the marsaqualed lighting but I'm not sure if I should pick up the 300watt or 165 watt lights.

[oreo57]

Does watts on an led fixture effect how deep the light penetrates

Yes and no...........

Output and focus go hand in hand..

[Ron Reefman]

Don't confuse the rating of the led (3 watts) with the amount of power the driver is actually pushing to the led (in the MarsAqua case it's only 1.88 watts).

Most 165w fixtures have 55 leds and really run at 120 watts so each led is pushed at 2.2 watts. The MarsAqua is only pushed at 102 watts or 1.85 watts per led. The MarsAqua 300 runs 100 leds on 188 watts or 1.88 watts per led. Other 100 led fixture have 100 3 watt leds and most brands run on two 120 watt drivers, so again 2.2 watts per led, not really more power, just more leds.

Your tank is 28" deep and any fixture using 3W leds (even driven at 2.2W each) will grow sps corals on the bottom. My guess is that 55 leds at 1.85 watts will do OK as well. Your tank is 58" long so you'll want 3 of the 55 led fixtures ($250), or a 48" long fixture with 100 or more leds. The MarsAqua 300 is powerful enough to reach the bottom, but it's not long enough. It's only 32" long and will struggle to cover more than 48" of bottom, you have 58". The ReefBreeder Photon 48 would do well, has a built-in controller for sunrise and sunset (if you want that) and retails for $450 to $499. It's more powerful, has the controller and fits your tank length.

[seamonster124]

So I have a tank that's 58x28x28 and I was thinking about using the marsaqualed lighting but I'm not sure if I should pick up the 300watt or 165 watt lights.

My vote: 2x165 with a foot between them

[tcermd]

is there any benefit to adding T5 to the reefbreeders if lookiing to grow SPS?