Newb needs lighting help

shizno · 09/15/2010, 01:02 PM

Started my first SW tank, it is 30 gallons (30 long, 18 deep) and it is cycling with 30lbs live sand and 22lbs fiji rock with purple patches (getting a few more lbs rock tonight hopefully).

Anyway I will need lighting soon and I am leaning towards LEDs, specifically http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-...ium-LED/Detail those. Mainly because I want to be able to keep some corals and clam. A nice clam is at the top of my list after seeing a awesome large maxima clam at the LFS a few years back.

My questions are, will this be enough lighting? Has anyone run LEDs for years and it been adequate? I want electricity/replacement to be low so it seemed like a no brainer as long as they work properly.

Bonus question: Tank has been cycling since Saturday, on Monday the Amonia/Nitrite/Nitrate were all 0 and PH 7.8, yesterday the PH is still only 7.8 but Amonia is now at 1, nintrate at like .25/.50 , is the low PH something to worry about during cycling? Might be lack of oxygen from what I read and that would hold true for this small apt with 2 people + dog heh

Thanks for any advice

theatrus · 09/15/2010, 03:00 PM

Most of the DIY LED discussion happens over the in the DIY forum.

Here are some monster threads to get you started:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1718642
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1678127

My first inclination is that you might need more LEDs to get even and strong lighting. Its really about getting enough LEDs to the surface area. This depends where the LEDs sit and what optics you are using.

This is a general guideline:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showpo...postcount=3424

Your pH is fine - they tend to dip during the cycle, and 7.8 is perfectly normal.

marioensf · 09/15/2010, 04:19 PM

Being that you are starting from scratch on your equipment, going LED might be a pretty good option; energy efficient and will save you $$ on the long run.

mcgyvr · 09/15/2010, 04:28 PM

I'm running that exact kit on my 30G oceanic cube (little different dimensions but I'm not running them at full power either) I'm dimmed down to about 60% right now for my own testing.. Works perfect.. Get those suckers up in the 700-1000mA range and you will be good to go.
Make sure you have a nice heatsink too..

shizno · 09/15/2010, 06:11 PM

Should I get 2 of these suckers http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-...4.25%22/Detail

or this bad boy http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-...4.25%22/Detail even though itll have empty spots

09/15/2010, 01:02 PM	#1
shizno Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 49	Newb needs lighting help Started my first SW tank, it is 30 gallons (30 long, 18 deep) and it is cycling with 30lbs live sand and 22lbs fiji rock with purple patches (getting a few more lbs rock tonight hopefully). Anyway I will need lighting soon and I am leaning towards LEDs, specifically http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-...ium-LED/Detail those. Mainly because I want to be able to keep some corals and clam. A nice clam is at the top of my list after seeing a awesome large maxima clam at the LFS a few years back. My questions are, will this be enough lighting? Has anyone run LEDs for years and it been adequate? I want electricity/replacement to be low so it seemed like a no brainer as long as they work properly. Bonus question: Tank has been cycling since Saturday, on Monday the Amonia/Nitrite/Nitrate were all 0 and PH 7.8, yesterday the PH is still only 7.8 but Amonia is now at 1, nintrate at like .25/.50 , is the low PH something to worry about during cycling? Might be lack of oxygen from what I read and that would hold true for this small apt with 2 people + dog heh Thanks for any advice

09/15/2010, 03:00 PM	#2
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	Most of the DIY LED discussion happens over the in the DIY forum. Here are some monster threads to get you started: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1718642 http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1678127 My first inclination is that you might need more LEDs to get even and strong lighting. Its really about getting enough LEDs to the surface area. This depends where the LEDs sit and what optics you are using. This is a general guideline: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showpo...postcount=3424 Your pH is fine - they tend to dip during the cycle, and 7.8 is perfectly normal. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

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09/15/2010, 04:19 PM	#3
marioensf Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 2,502	Being that you are starting from scratch on your equipment, going LED might be a pretty good option; energy efficient and will save you $$ on the long run.

09/15/2010, 04:28 PM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I'm running that exact kit on my 30G oceanic cube (little different dimensions but I'm not running them at full power either) I'm dimmed down to about 60% right now for my own testing.. Works perfect.. Get those suckers up in the 700-1000mA range and you will be good to go. Make sure you have a nice heatsink too..

09/15/2010, 06:11 PM	#5
shizno Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 49	Should I get 2 of these suckers http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-...4.25%22/Detail or this bad boy http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-...4.25%22/Detail even though itll have empty spots