Par 38 LED spotlights

[uhuru]

The main light has arrived! I thought all 3 had shipped but I guess my 2 all blue spotlights are still being made. So I have the 80* 20K now, I will still try to set this one up this weekend. Will be nice to see how it is by itself anyways.

[kc350twin]

Does anyone know what the equivalent of 4 20k Par38's in a MH?

This is my biggest hang up when it comes to LED's. The industry right now seems to base all new lighting systems to Metal Halides.

[Stripe01]

Here's a shot of the whole setup, you can really see how bright the light is.

[kc350twin]

I see three kinds of track light and was wondering what I'm supposed to use. Obviously not the "low voltage" but there is "Line Level" and "Linear". What's the diference?
Lowes had the linear and the plug that attaches did not have a ground does that matter?

Kc3

[kc350twin]

Is that 400 par on the sand at 18"?

Would the 40 degree have enough to cover the 24x24x16? If your measuring them at 30" above the sand that would put these lights above the tank rim about 12-14"s.

Most likely I will just have to buy a par meter and one to test.
Any chance on a loaner unit to test? I will pay a loaner fee as well.



Sorry for all the questions but there is few with experience with these.

[kc350twin]

Originally Posted by Stripe01

Here's a shot of the whole setup, you can really see how bright the light is.

Stripe is that pic with the CF off?

[kmu]

How many par 38 lamps are needed to cover a 12"x12" area? or a 12" cube?

THX in advance

[gotfrogs]

I got one in the mail today. I am not sure what I think about it yet. I do know that I don't like the track light setup that I got from Lowe's. The actual socket assembly is too big and ugly for my rimless tank.

[uhuru]

I got one mounted on the Lowes track light too. The 20K is very blue. Still waiting for 2 more! The track light is kinda cheapy but you get what you pay for. I don't mind it too much, but my lights are mounted pretty far from my tank so it doesn't really take away from the rimless elos. Directly over a nice rimless tank then yeah I can see it looking kinda bulky.

[kc350twin]

gotfrogs- what is your color and optics?

[gotfrogs]

I got the one with only two blue LEDs and stock 40 deg optics. I also bought a set of 60 optics that I will use if i decide to use the light. The 40 deg optics really do produce a spot light effect.

[kc350twin]

Evil66 I'll pm you. I think it too many posts between here and Nano reef. I was going to do 4 40 degree 20k's. I may be confusing you a bit with all my questions.

Plus I just saw the optics are changable and that helps with my decision.
I would like to mount them high off the water. I currently have my 250w MH 12" above the water.

[connecticut cichlids]

Just placed my order for a 20k bulb...

[Stripe01]

Here's a current FTS of mine.

My pokerstar monti and birdsnest are doing great so far.

[connecticut cichlids]

That looks real nice... That's the 20k bulb right?

[Stripe01]

Originally Posted by connecticut cichlids

That looks real nice... That's the 20k bulb right?

Yes, it's the 20k. It took me awhile to get use to it, but now I'm really happy with the purchase.

[homeboyreefer]

would love more info on these, as to what kind of coverage at what heights per degrees of optics

[kmu]

Originally Posted by homeboyreefer

would love more info on these, as to what kind of coverage at what heights per degrees of optics

This info is what we need to choose the right optics...

[homeboyreefer]

ok so i spoke to someone at nanotuners, and he said that with 40 degree optics 30" off the ground one would get a 12" radius of light, so with that said i'm assuming that

60 degree optics @ 30" would result in a 18" radius

80 degree optics @ 30" would result in a 24" radius

does this sound correct? obviously par would decrease in relation to the increase in spread

[Drag Racer]

Just ordered my 12k 80 degree tonight. Hope its not to bulky to build a nice holder for it. Wife doesnt like the idea of a off the wall or hang from the cieling fixture. Man its hard to make them happy.

[CalmSeasQuest]

I rec'd my 12K 80 degree today for a sump/frag tank test - First impressions, it's seems much bluer than 12K, gives off more heat than I expected (much more than the 26W CF it replaced but still WAY less than MH.) and it's lighter than expected. I rigged my into a cheap home depot clamp on work light after ditching the shield.

It's going to work great for my use (very close up) but puts out less visible light than I expected (not sure what PAR would be, or how corals will respond yet.)

All in all, I really like it, just don't expect the light output to "feel" like a MH.

[Drag Racer]

Originally Posted by CalmSeasQuest

I rec'd my 12K 80 degree today for a sump/frag tank test - First impressions, it's seems much bluer than 12K, gives off more heat than I expected (much more than the 26W CF it replaced but still WAY less than MH.) and it's lighter than expected. I rigged my into a cheap home depot clamp on work light after ditching the shield.

It's going to work great for my use (very close up) but puts out less visible light than I expected (not sure what PAR would be, or how corals will respond yet.)

All in all, I really like it, just don't expect the light output to "feel" like a MH.

You have a pic of it you can post? Would like to see the coverage of the 80 degree. And the color of the 12k. Everyone that posted pics is of the 20k and is too blue for my taste

[connecticut cichlids]

The 20k definatly gives the tank water that " windex " look....which I love!

[homeboyreefer]

calm are you using the 80 to light sps frags or lps softies, i was also thinking of using one of these on a 12" high tank for sps frags with the 80 degree optics really really close to the water around 4 inches above water line, i'm wondering what your impressions of the 80 deg optics light intensity and spread about 16 to 18 inches high

[CalmSeasQuest]

Originally Posted by homeboyreefer

calm are you using the 80 to light sps frags or lps softies, i was also thinking of using one of these on a 12" high tank for sps frags with the 80 degree optics really really close to the water around 4 inches above water line, i'm wondering what your impressions of the 80 deg optics light intensity and spread about 16 to 18 inches high

I'm using it to create a small frag tank in the center section of a sump. Sorry the photos are not very clear. They are not post processed and appear much bluer than than in person. The PAR38 12K appears much bluer (with a hint of purple) than the 150W 14K Phoenix used in the DT.




The PAR38 does not look as bright as it does in the photos. The lamp is about 6" above the water and 9" above the frags. Using the 80 degree optics, the full intensity light is only about 8" in diameter - after which it drops off sharply.

I have a mixed reef and am testing this usage with various types of corals - It will be some time before I know how successful it will be (especially with SPS.) that said, so far I like the bulb for this application - I don't have any PAR readings, so I'm just guessing but I don't think I would use it as primary lighting an anything other than a very small nano or frag tank.