LED Overkill?

BrooksReef · 01/17/2012, 03:52 PM

Hi everyone.

So currently, I have a 5g tank. I keep LPS, Zoanthids, and some SPS. The lighting I am currently using are 5 x 3w Ecoxotic LED strips (each strip has 3 x 1w LED lights on it). I am highly considering a used fixture that I can get for a good deal from a friend. However, I'm worried that for a tank my size, it will be a complete overkill.

This is the fixture I am considering:
http://www.eshinesystems.com/aquariu...rium-light.htm

It is a 60w LED fixture with dimming capabilities. There are 20 x 3w CREE LEDs.

Also, I am consider one (or two?) PAR38 bulbs by Ecoxotic. Which would be a better option?

Thanks for reading,
Brooks

WingoLED · 01/17/2012, 04:08 PM

The 20 Cree fixture is definitely OVER OVER kill!!! We light up a 75G with 2 of those.

Last time I tested the Ecoxotic in NJ, it's PAR is slightly lower than this one but you can use this data to base your decision on how many bulbs(15x1W type PAR bulb) to get
[IMG]

PAR38 15x1W WingoLED DayLight 12,000K PAR DATA

[/IMG]

BrooksReef · 01/17/2012, 04:21 PM

So it almost seems like I would need 2 PAR38s to actually get some decent growth from our corals.

WingoLED · 01/17/2012, 05:09 PM

I think is more about coverage that you need the extra bulb for. PAR over can substain your coral and over 150 grows your coral. What's the dimension of your 5G

xCry0x · 01/17/2012, 05:18 PM

If the cree fixture is a good price get that and dim the lighting to meet your needs. The real question is what the optics are on the cree fixture and how big it is, 20x3w LEDs on a fixture that is 6 feet long with no optics is not going to do much, but 20x3w LED in a tiny close cluster with 30* optics will fry anything that is not under 2 feet of water.

With LEDs it is not about the wattage but how the light is focused. Think of a magnifying glass, the sun and some ants.. in normal sun light ants are fine, add the magnifying glass (your lense) and focus the beam to a point and it frys them.

BrooksReef · 01/17/2012, 05:35 PM

Wingo, the tank is 12x12x12 (I believe; I know the height is 12").

Cry0, yeah that is why I was thinking of purchasing the fixture. It is a VERY good price, and I can dim it to meet my needs. The optics are either 30 degree or 60 degree, I am not quite sure. I am assuming they are 30 degrees.

Once again, the fixture CAN be dimmed. Also, since the price is VERY good, I would be saving money versus buying 2 PAR38 bulbs, that I would also have to find two fixtures to put them in. And another thing is, IF I were to upgrade, this light would be everything I need for any tank I might get (as I can only get up to 20g).

SkullV · 01/17/2012, 05:42 PM

You only need ONE quality Par38 bulb (Think Ecoxotic not LEDwholesalers) for Coverage and PAR in that tank. Like I said though, at that point you might as well sell the whole EcoPico kit and go with a Mr. Aqua 7.5g cube. You will still only need ONE Par38 bulb and can likely sell your ecopico system for enough to cover most of the costs.

BrooksReef · 01/17/2012, 05:47 PM

Ted,

I have been looking that those tanks, and I actually DO like them. Quite a bit. I might consider that as a possibility in February (my birthday is in early February, so I'll have some extra $ to spend from the relatives).

However, at this point, the fixture seems more cost effective to buy than a PAR38. They are practically the same price (the fixture being a small amount more). AND, if I were to upgrade, I wouldn't need any additional lighting (if I were to go up to 20g).

SkullV · 01/17/2012, 05:50 PM

Absolutely go with the fixture then at the same price. If it is dimmable then there is no reason not to. Just dim it to where you need it (although you may not like the dimness of the tank) and if you upgrade ramp it up.

BrooksReef · 01/17/2012, 05:52 PM

Great.

Thanks for the input guys. I really, really appreciate it!

One more question:

What should I start the output at (percentage wise)? 20% and move it up gradually as I see fit?

SkullV · 01/17/2012, 05:59 PM

20% sounds about right, maybe even 15% I bet you don't get much past 30% before you see bleaching.

BrooksReef · 01/17/2012, 06:05 PM

Alrighty. Cool. I'm probably hanging it 14-18" above the water level.

jarrodsanborn · 01/17/2012, 06:08 PM

If you dim the heck out of it the 60w rig will work.

A 12x12x12 is 7.5 gal.
Either a single par38 (rapid, ecoxotic etc) or dual par30(boostled) would work for a tank this size if including sps in your plans.
Pretty much any led with wattage between 16-30w will work depending on optics and fixture height.

I think the best option out there for this particular application is rapidled's 5 color par38 with 60 degree optics.
Good luck!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk

BrooksReef · 01/17/2012, 06:16 PM

Oops! Guess that says something that I don't know the demensions of my own tank, lol!

Anyways, they are giving me the fixture to try out temporarily to make sure I like it (or more importantly, if the corals like it).

I have looked at the RapidLed par38s. Those were a close second at only $80 I believe. They have been out of the 60 degree optic bulbs for a while now, though.

regent2010 · 01/17/2012, 06:17 PM

good thing about the 60 watts is u can use the dimming features. only flaws is they kind of lack of lite spread coverage ( 20x12").

BrooksReef · 01/17/2012, 09:14 PM

Okay guys, final verdict:

I have a 20g laying around that I'll be switching to. I have a friend interested in buying the EcoPico and all of the lights. So that essentially covers the 60w CREE light.

SkullV · 01/17/2012, 09:34 PM

Hahah, there you go! Get an AC70 and a fuge media basket from InTank.

BrooksReef · 01/17/2012, 09:53 PM

My thoughts exactly.

Didn't think about the media basket, though. That is a great idea! I was going to get the AC70 when I first thought about this (which, incidentally, was a few hours ago). They are pretty good filters!

01/17/2012, 03:52 PM	#1
BrooksReef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 312	LED Overkill? Hi everyone. So currently, I have a 5g tank. I keep LPS, Zoanthids, and some SPS. The lighting I am currently using are 5 x 3w Ecoxotic LED strips (each strip has 3 x 1w LED lights on it). I am highly considering a used fixture that I can get for a good deal from a friend. However, I'm worried that for a tank my size, it will be a complete overkill. This is the fixture I am considering: http://www.eshinesystems.com/aquariu...rium-light.htm It is a 60w LED fixture with dimming capabilities. There are 20 x 3w CREE LEDs. Also, I am consider one (or two?) PAR38 bulbs by Ecoxotic. Which would be a better option? Thanks for reading, Brooks

01/17/2012, 04:08 PM	#2
WingoLED Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 258	The 20 Cree fixture is definitely OVER OVER kill!!! We light up a 75G with 2 of those. Last time I tested the Ecoxotic in NJ, it's PAR is slightly lower than this one but you can use this data to base your decision on how many bulbs(15x1W type PAR bulb) to get [IMG][/IMG]

01/17/2012, 05:42 PM	#7
SkullV They Got My Number Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 6,898	You only need ONE quality Par38 bulb (Think Ecoxotic not LEDwholesalers) for Coverage and PAR in that tank. Like I said though, at that point you might as well sell the whole EcoPico kit and go with a Mr. Aqua 7.5g cube. You will still only need ONE Par38 bulb and can likely sell your ecopico system for enough to cover most of the costs. __________________ -Ted- Be cautious of those willing to share their "knowledge" but not their results.

01/17/2012, 05:50 PM	#9
SkullV They Got My Number Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 6,898	Absolutely go with the fixture then at the same price. If it is dimmable then there is no reason not to. Just dim it to where you need it (although you may not like the dimness of the tank) and if you upgrade ramp it up. __________________ -Ted- Be cautious of those willing to share their "knowledge" but not their results.

01/17/2012, 05:59 PM	#11
SkullV They Got My Number Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 6,898	20% sounds about right, maybe even 15% I bet you don't get much past 30% before you see bleaching. __________________ -Ted- Be cautious of those willing to share their "knowledge" but not their results.

01/17/2012, 04:21 PM	#3
BrooksReef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 312	So it almost seems like I would need 2 PAR38s to actually get some decent growth from our corals.

01/17/2012, 05:09 PM	#4
WingoLED Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 258	I think is more about coverage that you need the extra bulb for. PAR over can substain your coral and over 150 grows your coral. What's the dimension of your 5G

01/17/2012, 05:18 PM	#5
xCry0x Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Martinez, CA Posts: 1,116	If the cree fixture is a good price get that and dim the lighting to meet your needs. The real question is what the optics are on the cree fixture and how big it is, 20x3w LEDs on a fixture that is 6 feet long with no optics is not going to do much, but 20x3w LED in a tiny close cluster with 30* optics will fry anything that is not under 2 feet of water. With LEDs it is not about the wattage but how the light is focused. Think of a magnifying glass, the sun and some ants.. in normal sun light ants are fine, add the magnifying glass (your lense) and focus the beam to a point and it frys them.

01/17/2012, 05:35 PM	#6
BrooksReef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 312	Wingo, the tank is 12x12x12 (I believe; I know the height is 12"). Cry0, yeah that is why I was thinking of purchasing the fixture. It is a VERY good price, and I can dim it to meet my needs. The optics are either 30 degree or 60 degree, I am not quite sure. I am assuming they are 30 degrees. Once again, the fixture CAN be dimmed. Also, since the price is VERY good, I would be saving money versus buying 2 PAR38 bulbs, that I would also have to find two fixtures to put them in. And another thing is, IF I were to upgrade, this light would be everything I need for any tank I might get (as I can only get up to 20g).

01/17/2012, 05:47 PM	#8
BrooksReef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 312	Ted, I have been looking that those tanks, and I actually DO like them. Quite a bit. I might consider that as a possibility in February (my birthday is in early February, so I'll have some extra $ to spend from the relatives). However, at this point, the fixture seems more cost effective to buy than a PAR38. They are practically the same price (the fixture being a small amount more). AND, if I were to upgrade, I wouldn't need any additional lighting (if I were to go up to 20g).

01/17/2012, 05:52 PM	#10
BrooksReef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 312	Great. Thanks for the input guys. I really, really appreciate it! One more question: What should I start the output at (percentage wise)? 20% and move it up gradually as I see fit?

01/17/2012, 06:05 PM	#12
BrooksReef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 312	Alrighty. Cool. I'm probably hanging it 14-18" above the water level.

01/17/2012, 06:08 PM	#13
jarrodsanborn Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 110	If you dim the heck out of it the 60w rig will work. A 12x12x12 is 7.5 gal. Either a single par38 (rapid, ecoxotic etc) or dual par30(boostled) would work for a tank this size if including sps in your plans. Pretty much any led with wattage between 16-30w will work depending on optics and fixture height. I think the best option out there for this particular application is rapidled's 5 color par38 with 60 degree optics. Good luck! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk

01/17/2012, 06:16 PM	#14
BrooksReef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 312	Oops! Guess that says something that I don't know the demensions of my own tank, lol! Anyways, they are giving me the fixture to try out temporarily to make sure I like it (or more importantly, if the corals like it). I have looked at the RapidLed par38s. Those were a close second at only $80 I believe. They have been out of the 60 degree optic bulbs for a while now, though.

01/17/2012, 06:17 PM	#15
regent2010 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 134	good thing about the 60 watts is u can use the dimming features. only flaws is they kind of lack of lite spread coverage ( 20x12").

01/17/2012, 09:14 PM	#16
BrooksReef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 312	Okay guys, final verdict: I have a 20g laying around that I'll be switching to. I have a friend interested in buying the EcoPico and all of the lights. So that essentially covers the 60w CREE light.

01/17/2012, 09:34 PM	#17
SkullV They Got My Number Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 6,898	Hahah, there you go! Get an AC70 and a fuge media basket from InTank. __________________ -Ted- Be cautious of those willing to share their "knowledge" but not their results.

01/17/2012, 09:53 PM	#18
BrooksReef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 312	My thoughts exactly. Didn't think about the media basket, though. That is a great idea! I was going to get the AC70 when I first thought about this (which, incidentally, was a few hours ago). They are pretty good filters!