Creative Lighting idea for 92 gallon

biglurr54 · 03/29/2013, 07:24 AM

I am in the process of building a 92 gallon mixed reef. I'm trying to work out the lighting for the tank. I want to have an array of corals. SPS on top, LPS in middle, softies throughout. I would like to do LED lights and as all people in the hobby would like to keep the costs down. My idea was could I hang RapidLED's 12 led Par38 bulbs over the tank. The idea would be put three of them with 60 or 40 degree lenses. I would have to zero the bulbs in at the right height and position over the tank. Then I would keep all SPS High in the tank directly under the lights, LPS in the middle of the tank, and softies on the outskirts. This would be 36 Cree XP-E's over the tank. I know this would not be the brightest tank but if the corals are placed in the correct places under the lights then they should be fine correct? I have a 7 gallon currently under a rapidLED bulb with 80 degree optics that is dimmed down and everything is thriving. My only worry would be spotlighting. There would be dark spots in the back of the tank which would be good for the fish to be able to hide and would keep algae growth to only certain areas.

My other thought would be to do a DIY kit.

I would like to keep the lighting on the absolute minimum to keep algae growth at a minimum. This will also keep costs down. My other thought was to go with a LED Cannon. Im looking to spend around $400-$500 on lights. Im mainly interested in a Fish tank but I do love coral.

03/29/2013, 07:24 AM	#1
biglurr54 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Averill Park NY Posts: 406	Creative Lighting idea for 92 gallon I am in the process of building a 92 gallon mixed reef. I'm trying to work out the lighting for the tank. I want to have an array of corals. SPS on top, LPS in middle, softies throughout. I would like to do LED lights and as all people in the hobby would like to keep the costs down. My idea was could I hang RapidLED's 12 led Par38 bulbs over the tank. The idea would be put three of them with 60 or 40 degree lenses. I would have to zero the bulbs in at the right height and position over the tank. Then I would keep all SPS High in the tank directly under the lights, LPS in the middle of the tank, and softies on the outskirts. This would be 36 Cree XP-E's over the tank. I know this would not be the brightest tank but if the corals are placed in the correct places under the lights then they should be fine correct? I have a 7 gallon currently under a rapidLED bulb with 80 degree optics that is dimmed down and everything is thriving. My only worry would be spotlighting. There would be dark spots in the back of the tank which would be good for the fish to be able to hide and would keep algae growth to only certain areas. My other thought would be to do a DIY kit. I would like to keep the lighting on the absolute minimum to keep algae growth at a minimum. This will also keep costs down. My other thought was to go with a LED Cannon. Im looking to spend around $400-$500 on lights. Im mainly interested in a Fish tank but I do love coral.