height of LED light

mjpinsky · 07/11/2018, 07:25 AM

All I can afford is a "chinese black box"
That being said, I plan on buying a 36" full spectrum 216W dimmable light for my 36" tank (65 gal 36x24x18) - it will cost about $76.. I presently have a 36" current marine LED on the tank (35W).
The light's brackets can put it either 1" above the water level - like my current marine, or can raise it up 3-4" above the tank level. As it will go end-end on tank is it important to have it raised up for better light spread?
Note: where tank is located I have no option to do a hang install- which limited my choice of lights. Also, wife does not want to "see" the light coming off the fixture, so to keep peace in the house my options are also limited.
Should I use it like present light (1" above water level) or raise it up the few inches?
I presently only have softs and leathers but would like to be able to keep more light intensive species.
Thanks for the help/advise.

mcgyvr · 07/11/2018, 07:52 AM

216W full spectrum sounds like a plant light that is typically heavily red weighted..
Got a link to the one you intend to purchase?

Typically the reef specific ones are 165W and 300W..

Knowing the specific light and information about its optics/spead is the only way to offer anymore than a guess at your question..

Typically those LEDs are quite powerful and having them raised higher can help reduce the "intense" points that may be present..
But in all reality a few inches is insignificant and it won't matter if you have it at 1" vs 4".. The difference is minimal..
However.. Salt spray problems will be reduced which is likely the best reason to move it up some..
1" above the water level is really close and it will get salt spray on it and will likely rust fairly quickly near the water..

mjpinsky · 07/11/2018, 08:14 AM

Unfortunately, I know about salt spray problem -- I clean the glass off current marine every few days (so I'm used to it). Aluminum casing will help -- I also wipe fixture down every week or so to get off any salt creep on same.
link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/173092776031?ul_noapp=true
Thanks for help/advise.

mjpinsky · 07/11/2018, 08:17 AM

p.s.: I do not plan on running it at full capacity. I just thought for minimal price diff (froma 165W) I would go for higher output (216W) if I ever desired to go up that high.

mcgyvr · 07/11/2018, 09:56 AM

Ok.. I haven't seen those before but they are basically using the same LEDs as all the other products just a different mechanical package,etc.. ..
I can't comment on their quality/safety,etc... as I'm not familiar with them at all..

60 deg optics though are quite tight though..Likely same "hotspot" issues as most of those lights where directly under each bulb is very bright..

Thats the "CON"of the low budget...
I might look into removing the optics and running without them..

But to keep your wife happy "light spill" will not be a problem

07/11/2018, 07:25 AM	#1
mjpinsky Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 59	height of LED light All I can afford is a "chinese black box" That being said, I plan on buying a 36" full spectrum 216W dimmable light for my 36" tank (65 gal 36x24x18) - it will cost about $76.. I presently have a 36" current marine LED on the tank (35W). The light's brackets can put it either 1" above the water level - like my current marine, or can raise it up 3-4" above the tank level. As it will go end-end on tank is it important to have it raised up for better light spread? Note: where tank is located I have no option to do a hang install- which limited my choice of lights. Also, wife does not want to "see" the light coming off the fixture, so to keep peace in the house my options are also limited. Should I use it like present light (1" above water level) or raise it up the few inches? I presently only have softs and leathers but would like to be able to keep more light intensive species. Thanks for the help/advise.

07/11/2018, 07:52 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	216W full spectrum sounds like a plant light that is typically heavily red weighted.. Got a link to the one you intend to purchase? Typically the reef specific ones are 165W and 300W.. Knowing the specific light and information about its optics/spead is the only way to offer anymore than a guess at your question.. Typically those LEDs are quite powerful and having them raised higher can help reduce the "intense" points that may be present.. But in all reality a few inches is insignificant and it won't matter if you have it at 1" vs 4".. The difference is minimal.. However.. Salt spray problems will be reduced which is likely the best reason to move it up some.. 1" above the water level is really close and it will get salt spray on it and will likely rust fairly quickly near the water.. __________________ Who me?

07/11/2018, 08:17 AM	#4
mjpinsky Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 59	LED fixture height p.s.: I do not plan on running it at full capacity. I just thought for minimal price diff (froma 165W) I would go for higher output (216W) if I ever desired to go up that high.

07/11/2018, 09:56 AM	#5
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Ok.. I haven't seen those before but they are basically using the same LEDs as all the other products just a different mechanical package,etc.. .. I can't comment on their quality/safety,etc... as I'm not familiar with them at all.. 60 deg optics though are quite tight though..Likely same "hotspot" issues as most of those lights where directly under each bulb is very bright.. Thats the "CON"of the low budget... I might look into removing the optics and running without them.. But to keep your wife happy "light spill" will not be a problem __________________ Who me?

07/11/2018, 08:14 AM	#3
mjpinsky Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 59	Unfortunately, I know about salt spray problem -- I clean the glass off current marine every few days (so I'm used to it). Aluminum casing will help -- I also wipe fixture down every week or so to get off any salt creep on same. link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/173092776031?ul_noapp=true Thanks for help/advise.