Suggestions for Par38 LED over a 29G? Keeping RBTA's/Softies

youngim87 · 07/08/2011, 10:12 PM

Hey everyone!

I am in the light planning stage for my 29 gallon reef (30''x12''x18''). I really want to use Par38 LED's and am thinking about 3 should be enough light. I am not getting anything that really needs intense lighting, mostly just Rose BTA's, frogspawn, Zoa's, GSP, toadstool leathers, mushrooms, Xenia... and other softies etc. Possibly a SPS or two, but mainly a LPS/Softies/Nem Tank.

Can someone please give me suggestions on:
Which Brand of LED's?
Which optics?
How many lights?
What light intensity and which color combination?
How high off the tank surface?
+ any other advise or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. THANKS

OodleyBoodely · 07/09/2011, 04:53 AM

I went with 4 par38 lamps from nanotuners for my 37g. My tank is the same footprint as a 29 just taller and has a center brace which is why I went with 4 lamps instead of 3. 3 or 4 of these lamps should be plenty of light for what you plan to keep...just start everything low in the tank so you don't fry them with too much light! I don't have it set up yet as it is still in progress, but here is a pic of the tank with the leds on without water. I have two 20000K with 60degree optics and two 12000K lamps with 40 degree optics suspended on pulleys so I can raise and lower the lights.

http://www.nanotuners.com/product_in...roducts_id=699

youngim87 · 07/09/2011, 05:34 AM

wow that looks like a great setup you got there oodley. i love those rock walls. what order do you have your lights set up there? 20000k, 12000k, 12000k, 20000k?

OodleyBoodely · 07/09/2011, 05:49 AM

the 20000ks are on the outside. Thanks re; the walls! I'm currently curing those with freshwater...it's been a couple months and I need to do another change and see it they are ready yet...it's getting close and I can't wait!

youngim87 · 07/09/2011, 06:22 AM

Thanks for all the great info oodley. If I were to get 2 PAR38's first and add 1 later if needed, would you get 1 20000k and 1 12000k or 2 of the same intensity with 60 optics?

OodleyBoodely · 07/09/2011, 02:09 PM

If I were buying them for a 29, I'd go two of the same color, whichever you prefer and later suppliment with the other color if you want to modify the light color from what you have. If you like it real blue go all 20000ks, or, a crisp cool white go all 12000ks...I believe the all blues have just as much par as the 12000ks, so, that is not an issue with LEDs. 60 or even 80 degree optics might give you better spread especially if you will have the lamps close to the top of the tank. With just two lamps and 40 degree optics I think you will find a lot of 'dark' corners (with just two lamps) unless you move the lamps higher to get more light spread. With just lps and softies you won't need as much light so a wider spread and/or moving the lamps higher might be the best plan anyway...capable of maintaining even the most light hungry sps, these lamps can be very intense if too close or too narrow a beam.

Another possible stratagy, would be to go with the two outside lamp with wider beam optics and the center a narrower beam that could be used like a spotlight for your anemone..lots of possiblilities!

youngim87 · 07/09/2011, 05:44 PM

Thanks a million Oodley, you have really helped me through this planning stage. I think im going to go with 2 12000k first with 60 optics and then possibly a 20000k with 40 optic if needed. You have been of great help buddy thanks again!

OodleyBoodely · 07/11/2011, 01:54 AM

Glad to help!

07/08/2011, 10:12 PM	#1
youngim87 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 20	Suggestions for Par38 LED over a 29G? Keeping RBTA's/Softies Hey everyone! I am in the light planning stage for my 29 gallon reef (30''x12''x18''). I really want to use Par38 LED's and am thinking about 3 should be enough light. I am not getting anything that really needs intense lighting, mostly just Rose BTA's, frogspawn, Zoa's, GSP, toadstool leathers, mushrooms, Xenia... and other softies etc. Possibly a SPS or two, but mainly a LPS/Softies/Nem Tank. Can someone please give me suggestions on: Which Brand of LED's? Which optics? How many lights? What light intensity and which color combination? How high off the tank surface? + any other advise or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. THANKS

07/09/2011, 05:49 AM	#4
OodleyBoodely Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Azle, Tx Posts: 754	the 20000ks are on the outside. Thanks re; the walls! I'm currently curing those with freshwater...it's been a couple months and I need to do another change and see it they are ready yet...it's getting close and I can't wait! __________________ 37gal w/LED lighting with cement/oystershell/perlite background, DSB, 20l sump with 30lbs lr, biopellets in reactor, Reef Octo skimmer, 1 pajama cardinal No corals at this time. -

07/09/2011, 02:09 PM	#6
OodleyBoodely Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Azle, Tx Posts: 754	If I were buying them for a 29, I'd go two of the same color, whichever you prefer and later suppliment with the other color if you want to modify the light color from what you have. If you like it real blue go all 20000ks, or, a crisp cool white go all 12000ks...I believe the all blues have just as much par as the 12000ks, so, that is not an issue with LEDs. 60 or even 80 degree optics might give you better spread especially if you will have the lamps close to the top of the tank. With just two lamps and 40 degree optics I think you will find a lot of 'dark' corners (with just two lamps) unless you move the lamps higher to get more light spread. With just lps and softies you won't need as much light so a wider spread and/or moving the lamps higher might be the best plan anyway...capable of maintaining even the most light hungry sps, these lamps can be very intense if too close or too narrow a beam. Another possible stratagy, would be to go with the two outside lamp with wider beam optics and the center a narrower beam that could be used like a spotlight for your anemone..lots of possiblilities! __________________ 37gal w/LED lighting with cement/oystershell/perlite background, DSB, 20l sump with 30lbs lr, biopellets in reactor, Reef Octo skimmer, 1 pajama cardinal No corals at this time. - Last edited by OodleyBoodely; 07/09/2011 at 02:17 PM.

07/11/2011, 01:54 AM	#8
OodleyBoodely Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Azle, Tx Posts: 754	Glad to help! __________________ 37gal w/LED lighting with cement/oystershell/perlite background, DSB, 20l sump with 30lbs lr, biopellets in reactor, Reef Octo skimmer, 1 pajama cardinal No corals at this time. -

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
WTB PAR38 LED Spotlights	pendraig	Greater San Francisco Bay Area Reef Forum	5	06/01/2011 10:07 PM
switch to leds from 2X250mh and need help please	waqas	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	1	04/01/2011 10:10 AM
WTT my PAR38 LED light	Cozen89	Greater San Francisco Bay Area Reef Forum	14	02/19/2010 02:49 PM
Evil's PAR38 LED Lamp	jewcy240	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	6	12/27/2009 10:38 PM

07/09/2011, 05:34 AM	#3
youngim87 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 20	wow that looks like a great setup you got there oodley. i love those rock walls. what order do you have your lights set up there? 20000k, 12000k, 12000k, 20000k?

07/09/2011, 06:22 AM	#5
youngim87 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 20	Thanks for all the great info oodley. If I were to get 2 PAR38's first and add 1 later if needed, would you get 1 20000k and 1 12000k or 2 of the same intensity with 60 optics?

07/09/2011, 05:44 PM	#7
youngim87 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 20	Thanks a million Oodley, you have really helped me through this planning stage. I think im going to go with 2 12000k first with 60 optics and then possibly a 20000k with 40 optic if needed. You have been of great help buddy thanks again!