LED fixture suggestions for 65g tank.......

LennyD4 · 03/12/2012, 05:28 PM

So I am in the process of making a sump for my system and then upgrading the lights to LED in hopes of adding coral to my tank. What are good fixtures? What size fixture should I get ? (tank is 36" long). I was looking into making my own fixtures from Rapid LEDs. 1 12 LED fixture and 1 24 LED fixture. I am looking to do only easier corals like the LPS softies. Whats a good ratio of Royal Blue to Cool white?

mjhall85 · 03/12/2012, 05:35 PM

I have seen quite a few builds and I seen them do 2 to 1 white to blue ratio but really up to you and the color you want to achieve

Mark Bianco · 03/12/2012, 07:12 PM

Just an opinion. I like 1 blue, 1 royal blue and one white, but for the whites I like to have a 4 to 1 mixture of cool whites to 1 warm whites. For my eyes anyways It seems to add some more of the color spectrum that I proceive as missing when running just royal blue and cool whites.

Mark

Sk8r · 03/13/2012, 01:30 AM

I'd advise, too, spending a lot of time reading over in the Lighting forum---there's a lot of learning curve on these lights---I'd do it myself if I had the time and money; but do read up! And whatever you do---don't go for the deep bargains. Expect, for corals, that they'll cost about as much as metal halides if you bought a reef-ready unit. DIY is definitely the way to save on this item. And do be aware there's a learning curve the whole hobby is going on re this tech---how to ease the corals into this lighting, how to switch it back on safely after it's been off for a few days---the tradeoffs between a color pleasing to human eyes and the spectrum certain corals want for faster growth, etc. It's a brave new world. If my lights should go, that's where I'll be going, definitely. You'll run cooler (need more heater) and save a lot of electricity in the long run.

LennyD4 · 03/13/2012, 04:59 AM

Well I wont have to adjust corals in my tank atleast because I have none now. Thanks for the responses. I guess ill first concentrate on upgrading to a sump.

03/12/2012, 05:28 PM	#1
LennyD4 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 633	LED fixture suggestions for 65g tank....... So I am in the process of making a sump for my system and then upgrading the lights to LED in hopes of adding coral to my tank. What are good fixtures? What size fixture should I get ? (tank is 36" long). I was looking into making my own fixtures from Rapid LEDs. 1 12 LED fixture and 1 24 LED fixture. I am looking to do only easier corals like the LPS softies. Whats a good ratio of Royal Blue to Cool white?

03/13/2012, 01:30 AM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I'd advise, too, spending a lot of time reading over in the Lighting forum---there's a lot of learning curve on these lights---I'd do it myself if I had the time and money; but do read up! And whatever you do---don't go for the deep bargains. Expect, for corals, that they'll cost about as much as metal halides if you bought a reef-ready unit. DIY is definitely the way to save on this item. And do be aware there's a learning curve the whole hobby is going on re this tech---how to ease the corals into this lighting, how to switch it back on safely after it's been off for a few days---the tradeoffs between a color pleasing to human eyes and the spectrum certain corals want for faster growth, etc. It's a brave new world. If my lights should go, that's where I'll be going, definitely. You'll run cooler (need more heater) and save a lot of electricity in the long run. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

03/12/2012, 05:35 PM	#2
mjhall85 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 535	I have seen quite a few builds and I seen them do 2 to 1 white to blue ratio but really up to you and the color you want to achieve

03/12/2012, 07:12 PM	#3
Mark Bianco In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Infinity and Beyond Posts: 2,445	Just an opinion. I like 1 blue, 1 royal blue and one white, but for the whites I like to have a 4 to 1 mixture of cool whites to 1 warm whites. For my eyes anyways It seems to add some more of the color spectrum that I proceive as missing when running just royal blue and cool whites. Mark

03/13/2012, 04:59 AM	#5
LennyD4 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 633	Well I wont have to adjust corals in my tank atleast because I have none now. Thanks for the responses. I guess ill first concentrate on upgrading to a sump.