help pick LED's for 40 gallon

jarrod13 · 05/27/2013, 02:28 PM

I have a 40 breeder that I'd like to put a LED system on.

I will need to support rock anemones, soft corals, and some lps.

The one I am interested in is the Kessil A150W 20k 32 watt. Will this be sufficient? Will it put out a wide enough beam to cover most of the tank?

If this will not work what are some good fixtures out there that will work for around $200? Are the Marineland ones any good?

Mark Bianco · 05/27/2013, 05:29 PM

From what I have read in the forum most people that have purchased the Marineland Reef Capable lights have not been happy with them. I had one on a 26 gl cube and it was ok for about 6 months then started to have issues with the leds burning out. You woud need two 150 Kessils for a 40gl breeder the spread is only about at best 18" to get a good par. Although I have no expierence with them there is led fixture that people are raving about from Reefbreeders and thier value fixtures start at 179.00. You may want to look there.

Mark

jarrod13 · 05/27/2013, 09:04 PM

Ok thank you, I looked at them and I think I'm going to go with the value one. When ordering it asks if I want 120, 90, or 60 degree optics, what does this mean?

Mark Bianco · 05/28/2013, 02:13 AM

Simply Stated from thier website

The 60 degree optics will have a lot of depth penetration, but not a lot of spread, and are ideal for 30"- 40" deep tanks. The 90s have a decent amount of depth penetration, but more spread than the 60s. We recommend them on tanks from 18" deep, to 30" deep. The 120s (or no optics on the value fixtures) have a lot of spread, but not too much depth penetration. They will work on tanks up to 24" deep

The value fixture has no optics so thier is no need for concern on you part.

rkesling · 05/28/2013, 02:57 AM

Get the value fixture as noted above but spend the extra $20 and get a set of 90 optics (you can ask for them to be sent uninstalled if you want). You can play around with them and see what works best for you. They are simple to put on and take of.

It will boil down to how far up you mount/hang the fixture.

jwoyshnar · 05/28/2013, 04:36 AM

The Reefbreeders one won't cover the 36" distance. You may need two of those also. Apollo reef led sells one for a 40 breeder.

scubaprashant · 05/28/2013, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwoyshnar

The Reefbreeders one won't cover the 36" distance. You may need two of those also. Apollo reef led sells one for a 40 breeder.

A friend of mine here has a 40g Breeder and 2 of the lights that you are looking at for your tank. I know he initially had a lot of issues with corals bleaching out because it was too intense, but he ended up dimming them way down and raising them up much higher. He primarily does Zoas though, so those don't like too intense light anyways.

Also, his tank looks awesome so I'm sure you will be happy.

jarrod13 · 05/28/2013, 05:53 AM

Thank you everyone! I'm really not going to need intense lighting so I'll probably just go with the 120 optics, because I'd rather have the spread.

I don't see the Apollo reef one that is specifically for 40 breeders, does anyone know which model it is?

HUNTER1 · 05/28/2013, 08:14 AM

I have a reef breeder p24" over a 40g. I have it at 21" high and covers the full tank and ony at 50-50% intensity. These lights are powerful, I think you just need one 24".

jarrod13 · 05/28/2013, 05:42 PM

You don't think one of the value 16" would be enough? Anything that required more light would just go in the middle under the light.

HUNTER1 · 05/28/2013, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarrod13

You don't think one of the value 16" would be enough? Anything that required more light would just go in the middle under the light.

Not at all. I have mine at 21" above water and its just ok to cover the ends. I wish I've gotten the P32". If you have most of your corals in the middle and not much on the end, I guess that'll do. I'm sure you wouldn't like the value fixture once you see the spread over a 40g.

rkesling · 05/29/2013, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarrod13

You don't think one of the value 16" would be enough? Anything that required more light would just go in the middle under the light.

I have the D120 with 90 optics over a 20L with a Large Fuge on the back. Total Depth from front of tank to back of fuge is 19". I have the D120 sitting 15" up from the rim of the tank. The D120 covers the 19" with ease and covers the 30" length of the 20 L with an overlap on the sides. I also have a very shallow (1" or less sand bed). I can not turn the D120 up more than 50% power. I keep zoas, chalice, ricordea, palys in the tank and they all must be on the bottom some even in shaded areas. Removing the optics would give me more spread and if I crank it up to 75-100% I could raise the light up or go with a deeper tank.

IF I were in your shoes, I would buy one of the D120's or value fixtures as RB calls them, try it above your 40B and see if you and your corals are happy, if not then add a second one. You'll be surprised at the power and coverage you can get with just one of these lights.

Again...Just my opinion and my personal experience with the D120.

jarrod13 · 05/29/2013, 11:06 AM

Thank you everyone for your opinions, I am taking all of them into consideration :-)

Rkesling, I think I'm going with your idea, try one and see if its enough, if not I can always add another. What are you referring to as the D120?

rkesling · 05/30/2013, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarrod13

Thank you everyone for your opinions, I am taking all of them into consideration :-)

Rkesling, I think I'm going with your idea, try one and see if its enough, if not I can always add another. What are you referring to as the D120?

The D120 is the same exact fixture as the RB value one, I just purchased direct from Evergrow. RB just buys in bulk and puts their own name on them. Pretty sure RB is a sponsor here too, so support our sponsors as much as you/we can. They are all the reason we are able to be here!

Post some pics when you get it all set up so we can see what coverage you end up getting and at what height etc. Good luck with it! You'll love the fixture weather you end up with one or two in the end.

jwoyshnar · 05/30/2013, 04:25 AM

Apollo has a really nice fixture coming out soon for a 40 breeder. Controller built in and dimmable moonlights

jarrod13 · 05/30/2013, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkesling

The D120 is the same exact fixture as the RB value one, I just purchased direct from Evergrow. RB just buys in bulk and puts their own name on them. Pretty sure RB is a sponsor here too, so support our sponsors as much as you/we can. They are all the reason we are able to be here!

Post some pics when you get it all set up so we can see what coverage you end up getting and at what height etc. Good luck with it! You'll love the fixture weather you end up with one or two in the end.

Will do!

jarrod13 · 05/30/2013, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwoyshnar

Apollo has a really nice fixture coming out soon for a 40 breeder. Controller built in and dimmable moonlights

Any idea when and how much it will be?

matty0206 · 05/30/2013, 09:08 AM

I don't know if it is an option for you but I have a 40breeder and the 27" Maxspect Razor I have lights it very nicely. Great fixture with built in controller.

Edit: Reread your first post, definitely more than $200 but still a great option.

jarrod13 · 05/31/2013, 09:33 AM

Thanks for the suggestion Matty, but yea I am trying to stay relatively cheap with this tank. Out of curiosity how much is it?

matty0206 · 05/31/2013, 09:45 AM

It is quite a bit above at $500. It might be a good way to go though if you end up having to get 2 smaller fixtures. Great light.

Reef Tech · 05/31/2013, 09:53 AM

get a reef breeder photon16- you won't be dissapointed.

jarrod13 · 05/31/2013, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef Tech

get a reef breeder photon16- you won't be dissapointed.

Is the only difference the controller and ability to dim every half hour? If so that's not really worth the extra money to me, but thank you for the suggestion

moondoggy4 · 05/31/2013, 06:22 PM

If you have an Led light you will want to be able to dim the light, that way you can acclimate the corals instead of lifting and lowering the light.

jwoyshnar · 05/31/2013, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef Tech

get a reef breeder photon16- you won't be dissapointed.

You won't be happy with a 16" fixture on a 36" tank. Sides will be dark

jarrod13 · 07/18/2013, 09:29 AM

So we went with the value fixture from reefbreeders. We are very pleased with it and I think it will work great. She has a few nps corals so the little bit of shade we're getting from the pillars will work in out favor. If those pillars weren't there the light coverage would be great and plenty for what we want. The picture makes it look darker than it really is, these LEDs are hard to photograph lol. Anyways I'm just updating with a picture because I said I would, and for anybody who might have the same question in the future.

05/27/2013, 02:28 PM	#1
jarrod13 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: jacksonville florida Posts: 1,441	help pick LED's for 40 gallon I have a 40 breeder that I'd like to put a LED system on. I will need to support rock anemones, soft corals, and some lps. The one I am interested in is the Kessil A150W 20k 32 watt. Will this be sufficient? Will it put out a wide enough beam to cover most of the tank? If this will not work what are some good fixtures out there that will work for around $200? Are the Marineland ones any good?

05/27/2013, 05:29 PM	#2
Mark Bianco In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Infinity and Beyond Posts: 2,445	From what I have read in the forum most people that have purchased the Marineland Reef Capable lights have not been happy with them. I had one on a 26 gl cube and it was ok for about 6 months then started to have issues with the leds burning out. You woud need two 150 Kessils for a 40gl breeder the spread is only about at best 18" to get a good par. Although I have no expierence with them there is led fixture that people are raving about from Reefbreeders and thier value fixtures start at 179.00. You may want to look there. Mark

05/27/2013, 09:04 PM	#3
jarrod13 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: jacksonville florida Posts: 1,441	Ok thank you, I looked at them and I think I'm going to go with the value one. When ordering it asks if I want 120, 90, or 60 degree optics, what does this mean?

05/28/2013, 02:13 AM	#4
Mark Bianco In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Infinity and Beyond Posts: 2,445	Simply Stated from thier website The 60 degree optics will have a lot of depth penetration, but not a lot of spread, and are ideal for 30"- 40" deep tanks. The 90s have a decent amount of depth penetration, but more spread than the 60s. We recommend them on tanks from 18" deep, to 30" deep. The 120s (or no optics on the value fixtures) have a lot of spread, but not too much depth penetration. They will work on tanks up to 24" deep The value fixture has no optics so thier is no need for concern on you part.

05/28/2013, 02:57 AM	#5
rkesling Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 162	Get the value fixture as noted above but spend the extra $20 and get a set of 90 optics (you can ask for them to be sent uninstalled if you want). You can play around with them and see what works best for you. They are simple to put on and take of. It will boil down to how far up you mount/hang the fixture.

05/28/2013, 04:36 AM	#6
jwoyshnar Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: 18441 Posts: 1,531	The Reefbreeders one won't cover the 36" distance. You may need two of those also. Apollo reef led sells one for a 40 breeder.

05/28/2013, 05:53 AM	#8
jarrod13 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: jacksonville florida Posts: 1,441	Thank you everyone! I'm really not going to need intense lighting so I'll probably just go with the 120 optics, because I'd rather have the spread. I don't see the Apollo reef one that is specifically for 40 breeders, does anyone know which model it is?

05/28/2013, 08:14 AM	#9
HUNTER1 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 1,044	I have a reef breeder p24" over a 40g. I have it at 21" high and covers the full tank and ony at 50-50% intensity. These lights are powerful, I think you just need one 24".

05/28/2013, 05:42 PM	#10
jarrod13 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: jacksonville florida Posts: 1,441	You don't think one of the value 16" would be enough? Anything that required more light would just go in the middle under the light.

05/29/2013, 11:06 AM	#13
jarrod13 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: jacksonville florida Posts: 1,441	Thank you everyone for your opinions, I am taking all of them into consideration :-) Rkesling, I think I'm going with your idea, try one and see if its enough, if not I can always add another. What are you referring to as the D120?

05/30/2013, 04:25 AM	#15
jwoyshnar Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: 18441 Posts: 1,531	Apollo has a really nice fixture coming out soon for a 40 breeder. Controller built in and dimmable moonlights

05/30/2013, 09:08 AM	#18
matty0206 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vancouver Wa. Posts: 578	I don't know if it is an option for you but I have a 40breeder and the 27" Maxspect Razor I have lights it very nicely. Great fixture with built in controller. Edit: Reread your first post, definitely more than $200 but still a great option.

05/31/2013, 09:33 AM	#19
jarrod13 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: jacksonville florida Posts: 1,441	Thanks for the suggestion Matty, but yea I am trying to stay relatively cheap with this tank. Out of curiosity how much is it?

05/31/2013, 09:45 AM	#20
matty0206 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vancouver Wa. Posts: 578	It is quite a bit above at $500. It might be a good way to go though if you end up having to get 2 smaller fixtures. Great light.

05/31/2013, 09:53 AM	#21
Reef Tech Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 1	get a reef breeder photon16- you won't be dissapointed.

05/31/2013, 06:22 PM	#23
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	If you have an Led light you will want to be able to dim the light, that way you can acclimate the corals instead of lifting and lowering the light.

07/18/2013, 09:29 AM	#25
jarrod13 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: jacksonville florida Posts: 1,441	So we went with the value fixture from reefbreeders. We are very pleased with it and I think it will work great. She has a few nps corals so the little bit of shade we're getting from the pillars will work in out favor. If those pillars weren't there the light coverage would be great and plenty for what we want. The picture makes it look darker than it really is, these LEDs are hard to photograph lol. Anyways I'm just updating with a picture because I said I would, and for anybody who might have the same question in the future.