Need some input on an LED light.

bleedthebeat · 10/24/2013, 10:05 PM

Greetings!

This is my first post so if I violate some rules let me know and I will correct accordingly.

So I am looking at building my first reef tank and, like many first timers, am looking for ways to keep cost down. I know I want to use LED lights but LED tank lights are pretty expensive. I have two LED grow lights for plants that are primarily red and blue. Would I be able to use these for tank lights. If not I plan on using one of them for a refugium. I just wanted to know if they would be harmful or worthless for fish and corals.

Reefmedic79 · 10/24/2013, 10:07 PM

The grow lights probably won't be beneficial to a reef tank, though would likely do fine for a fuge. Without knowing the exact type of emitters, the wattage and the ratio of colors it's hard to tell if it would work for a reef.

bleedthebeat · 10/24/2013, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefmedic79

Without knowing the exact type of emitters, the wattage and the ratio of colors it's hard to tell if it would work for a reef.

It's 28 watts. The LED's are nothing special they are just standard 10mm LEDs. I am pretty sure together they would put out enough light to visibly light the tank, as in I could see everything, but I wasn't sure how fish and coral would react to the red wavelength. The lights are predominantly red as they are designed for plants and the red wavelengths are what they use the most. All else fails I can save some money on a refugium light at least long enough to find out if they would work for it.

Wmich2008 · 10/24/2013, 10:38 PM

I don't think this light would be enough for corals. Save up for a better light or build your own. I built a diy from rapid led and it was not hard at all.

bleedthebeat · 10/24/2013, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wmich2008

I don't think this light would be enough for corals. Save up for a better light or build your own. I built a diy from rapid led and it was not hard at all.

I think I will probably go this route. I am a big fan of building things and the idea of using an arduino to build my own controller sounds like a fun project!

10/24/2013, 10:05 PM	#1
bleedthebeat Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 4	Need some input on an LED light. Greetings! This is my first post so if I violate some rules let me know and I will correct accordingly. So I am looking at building my first reef tank and, like many first timers, am looking for ways to keep cost down. I know I want to use LED lights but LED tank lights are pretty expensive. I have two LED grow lights for plants that are primarily red and blue. Would I be able to use these for tank lights. If not I plan on using one of them for a refugium. I just wanted to know if they would be harmful or worthless for fish and corals.

10/24/2013, 10:07 PM	#2
Reefmedic79 Life and Reef Saver Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tavares, Florida Posts: 6,202	The grow lights probably won't be beneficial to a reef tank, though would likely do fine for a fuge. Without knowing the exact type of emitters, the wattage and the ratio of colors it's hard to tell if it would work for a reef. __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>¸. ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> How much deeper would the ocean be if it didn't have sponges? P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sid Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder, 20L Sump, 10G Fuge, JBJ A.T.O, 4" Reef Octopus, DIY Stand & Canopy, RapidLED Dimmable 36 Kit on 3 6" MakersLED Heatsink, MP10es

10/24/2013, 10:38 PM	#4
Wmich2008 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Battle creek Michigan Posts: 536	I don't think this light would be enough for corals. Save up for a better light or build your own. I built a diy from rapid led and it was not hard at all.