Reef Discussion

[Dynamic]

Does anyone know a good brand to go with for lighting? I want to add more light to my Fluval Edge, and I am just wondering what to go with. Any sort is fine (t5, metal halide, led), as long as I get good lighting in the tank. Keep in mind, the tank is tiny.

Cheers!

 

[MTG]

DIY led would probably be the best option

 

[VaultBoy]

I agree with Matt here the Edge is soo small that the only real option is DIY LED. Even a 70W metal halide would just about boil the water I think, and the hood is to small for fluros.

 

[MTG]

way to small for anything othen then LED, problem is isnt the light bit underwater?

 

[VaultBoy]

no the light sits in the hood thing above the tank. I have seen some compact fluro mods done on planted tank sites but it wouldnt be enough for anything marine i dont think

 

[MTG]

DIY LEDs sounds good, 3w crees run at 300ma?
Nork would be the person to have a chat to!

 

[MagicJ]

DIY LEDs sounds good, 3w crees run at 300ma?

Not sure what you mean here Matt - 3w CREE LED's are generally run around 750ma although they can go higher, or lower.

 

[MTG]

Because the LEDs are so close to the surface of the water and because the tank is so shallow I have found 700ma frys most corals at that depth, dropping it down to 300ma such as n0rk did seems to resolve the issues

 

[DavidS]

Because the LEDs are so close to the surface of the water and because the tank is so shallow I have found 700ma frys most corals at that depth, dropping it down to 300ma such as n0rk did seems to resolve the issues

Just from my own interest of having 24 3w crees sitting over a 45cm deep tank, at 700ma, what's considered shallow? and how would know if a coral was frying?

 

[MTG]

How high will you have the light from the surface of the water, you bought dimable drivers didn't you ?

 

[DavidS]

How high will you have the light from the surface of the water, you bought dimable drivers didn't you ?

About 2 inches from top of tank atm, water about an inch below that. Most of the corals near bottom, though one leather is tallish.
Dimmable yes - down to about 30% up from the lowest setting.
About to be away for a week as of a couple of hours from now, and so panic starting to wind up.....

 

[MTG]

For the first few weeks I would be running them at 30 pct, then slowly wind them up, otherwise you will most likely shock the coral, witch often results in them bleaching

 

[DavidS]

Yeah - that's what I was thinking. Not sure I need to get them too much higher than what they already are - that thing is damned bright at 100%. Will play around when I get back. 5% increments with the RapidLED controller.
Sorry for the thread hijack Dynamic.

 

[MagicJ]

Because the LEDs are so close to the surface of the water and because the tank is so shallow I have found 700ma frys most corals at that depth, dropping it down to 300ma such as n0rk did seems to resolve the issues

Ahhh - I now understand the context of your post, especially the question mark at the end ;)

 

[marineclass]

I've seen some leds on the fluvals and they work, however they can be very strong in the middle and not have much light on the outside of the tanks. I saw one guy bought some underwater lights to shine some light on the outside edges. He said it was low powered light and wont give any benefits to the growth of corals, however it takes away a lot of the spotlighting effect from the leds in the middle of the tank - :)

 

[MTG]

Ahhh - I now understand the context of your post, especially the question mark at the end ;)

Sorry typing things on the iPad arnt always the easiest !! :)

 

[VaultBoy]

If you could mount the LEDs on an angle to shine more outward from the centre... I wonder if this would stop the spotlighting.

Or somekind of diffuser and run the lights at a higher amperage to compensate for the loss through it.