T5's with Par38 Spotlights over a 90 gallon

[nanokeeper]

I'm considering setting up a 48" four bulb T5 retro overdriven by an Icecap 660 with two of the Nanocustoms Par38 20K spotlights aimed at the two rock structures for shimmer. Any thoughts on whether this is enough light for a 90 gallon future SPS dominant tank? Or should I do a 6 bulb T5 retro and not worry about the shimmer. I really want to keep the shimmer that MH's have and the Par38 spotlights do provide that very well.

Here's a link to the Par38 Spotlights --> http://www.nanocustoms.com/product_i...lrrhhj6avuiip0

Sorry for the crappy cell phone pic.

[redfishsc]

Should be fine for most SPS and clams.


The PAR38's will give a considerable punch in PAR output wherever they are aimed. The LED's in these are quite potent.

[nanokeeper]

Thanks for the input Redfishsc. I really like the LED fixture that you built. I've considered going all LED, but I'm not sure if they will have enough punch to go through 24" of water.

Anyone else?

[leftcoastreefer]

I run a DIY fixture with some cree's and luxeons on a 23" tank and they penetrate quite nicely. I run a 250 phoenix for growth and only use the LED's for morning and evening veiwing/actinics. Although those par38 spotlights are really nice, you could build a better fixture for less. Build a few strips to go between your t5 retros and space the LEDs 3-4"s apart.

[nanokeeper]

Originally Posted by leftcoastreefer

I run a DIY fixture with some cree's and luxeons on a 23" tank and they penetrate quite nicely. I run a 250 phoenix for growth and only use the LED's for morning and evening veiwing/actinics. Although those par38 spotlights are really nice, you could build a better fixture for less. Build a few strips to go between your t5 retros and space the LEDs 3-4"s apart.

Thanks LCR. That's very good info. I currently have a 250 Phoenix on a light mover with T5 actinics and the halide provides great growth and light penetration. I'm just trying to get away from MH because of the heat.

What do you think about the new Icecap LED strips? I could put a few inbetween the T5's.

[nanokeeper]

Does anyone know if the Icecap LED strips would provide some shimmer if put in between the T5's?

[redfishsc]

I cannot say with certainty about the Icecap bulbs. They do not look to me like they are true high-power LED's, like the XRE's. If they are not high-power LEDs, the penetration will likely be dismal, speaking in terms of PAR.


I can say this with certainty--- since I now know how to wire up my own LED array, I wouldn't pay Icecap more than $20 for one of their bulbs since they don't seem to be high-power LED's on them.

Originally Posted by nanokeeper

Thanks for the input Redfishsc. I really like the LED fixture that you built. I've considered going all LED, but I'm not sure if they will have enough punch to go through 24" of water.

Anyone else?

Space them about 2" apart and put 40-degree optics on them, drive them at 900-1000mA, and you should be able to grow ball lighting on the sandbed.

When I added my 8-royal blue XRE's to my tank, the anthelia and zoanthids I had sitting on the sandbed shrunk up and now hug the rock for dear life. They did this the day after I added the array. My tank is 21" deep, and I'm not even running any optics on my array. It was enough light to make the anthelia and zoanthids respond quite surprisingly.

[nanokeeper]

Originally Posted by redfishsc

I cannot say with certainty about the Icecap bulbs. They do not look to me like they are true high-power LED's, like the XRE's. If they are not high-power LEDs, the penetration will likely be dismal, speaking in terms of PAR.


I can say this with certainty--- since I now know how to wire up my own LED array, I wouldn't pay Icecap more than $20 for one of their bulbs since they don't seem to be high-power LED's on them.






Space them about 2" apart and put 40-degree optics on them, drive them at 900-1000mA, and you should be able to grow ball lighting on the sandbed.

When I added my 8-royal blue XRE's to my tank, the anthelia and zoanthids I had sitting on the sandbed shrunk up and now hug the rock for dear life. They did this the day after I added the array. My tank is 21" deep, and I'm not even running any optics on my array. It was enough light to make the anthelia and zoanthids respond quite surprisingly.

Thanks Redfish. I have decided to go with a combination of 4 overdriven T5's and 24 CREE Leds. That should give me the PAR, shimmer, and color that I want. All these DIY LED fixtures that you folks are making are amazing and have motivated to do one.