rapidled question

mendel · 11/03/2013, 05:08 PM

bs'd

is the advice on rapidled.com about the amount of leds for a reef aquarium correct?

"For tanks with SPS you can use the following formula:

(Length of tank in inches x Width of tank in inches)/18

For example, if you have a 75g tank and your footprint is 48” x 18”, you would need:

(48” x 18”)/18- = roughly 48 LEDs"

thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

oscarinw · 11/03/2013, 08:45 PM

I think that's quite simplistic. Your tank depth should be a consideration as well as the wattage of the bulbs...
Don't get me wrong. I run Rapids on my system and my SPSs are doing well. I coincidentally also run 48 LEDs and my tank is 48" long... so I think that formula might work but there are other variables to consider.

mendel · 11/04/2013, 09:13 PM

so i have a standard 55 so should 35 3 watt leds work?

zachts · 11/05/2013, 12:42 PM

At 700mA - 1000mA using a ratio that is at least 2:1 or even more blue and I'd suggest 80degree optics, then absolutely! You should be able to grow even SPS in the upper reaches of the tank.

mendel · 11/07/2013, 09:09 PM

so what would i need if i wanted a totally sps tank?

zachts · 11/07/2013, 10:22 PM

I think you'll be good to start around 36 or so LEDs, a lot will come down to how you want them configured and your other expectations/design criteria. What have you seen and what do you like color wise. Will they be dimmable? Individual channel control? Many other factors.

But basically in the ball park of 36 LEDs with 80degree optics and at least a 2:1 ratio of blues to whites. (I'd go a bit bluer, but it all comes down to personal aesthetics at that point) At 700-1000mA you'll be able to grow just about anything, to grow SPS on the bottom of the tank you may you might need a few more, or higher drive current, but there are too many factors to be more specific than a ball park idea.

The more information you can give us the better recommendations we can provide. What I would do for my tanks is not necessarily the same or desirable for someone else. There is a lot of subjectivity involved in implementing LEDs and even more approaches that work.

MrHarvard · 11/07/2013, 11:16 PM

The answer depends on what size leds you are using and also layout. Are you going to use all 3w leds? Leds have come along way ovet the past few years and there are a lot better options in my opinion than just 3w. I just started a build for my tank using Luxeon Ms 12w RB and Bridgelux Bxra 22w. Here is a link to my buold thread if you want an idea of what im talking about. My tank will be sps dominate as well.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2346715

zachts · 11/08/2013, 07:45 PM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2333949
My fun little project intended to light half a 55gal.

Spend some time searching RC for LED builds to help get an Idea of what your aiming to do. There's a lot of good ideas and experience to pull from.

11/03/2013, 05:08 PM	#1
mendel Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: LA Posts: 52	rapidled question bs'd is the advice on rapidled.com about the amount of leds for a reef aquarium correct? "For tanks with SPS you can use the following formula: (Length of tank in inches x Width of tank in inches)/18 For example, if you have a 75g tank and your footprint is 48” x 18”, you would need: (48” x 18”)/18- = roughly 48 LEDs" thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

11/07/2013, 11:16 PM	#7
MrHarvard "ship it" Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Tampa/Westchase Posts: 2,951	The answer depends on what size leds you are using and also layout. Are you going to use all 3w leds? Leds have come along way ovet the past few years and there are a lot better options in my opinion than just 3w. I just started a build for my tank using Luxeon Ms 12w RB and Bridgelux Bxra 22w. Here is a link to my buold thread if you want an idea of what im talking about. My tank will be sps dominate as well. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2346715 __________________ "You gon learn today!" Current Tank Info: SPS Dominant 29g BB Rimless Bio Cube lit by 2x AI Primes, IM desktop Reactor, Tunze ATO, Tunze. 9001 skimmer ........ 40g Breeder with 20g long sump/refugium. ATI 4 bulb T5s....Mixed reef stock heavy on SPS.

11/03/2013, 08:45 PM	#2
oscarinw Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 1,091	I think that's quite simplistic. Your tank depth should be a consideration as well as the wattage of the bulbs... Don't get me wrong. I run Rapids on my system and my SPSs are doing well. I coincidentally also run 48 LEDs and my tank is 48" long... so I think that formula might work but there are other variables to consider.

11/04/2013, 09:13 PM	#3
mendel Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: LA Posts: 52	so i have a standard 55 so should 35 3 watt leds work?

11/05/2013, 12:42 PM	#4
zachts Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO. Posts: 3,259	At 700mA - 1000mA using a ratio that is at least 2:1 or even more blue and I'd suggest 80degree optics, then absolutely! You should be able to grow even SPS in the upper reaches of the tank.

11/07/2013, 09:09 PM	#5
mendel Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: LA Posts: 52	so what would i need if i wanted a totally sps tank?

11/07/2013, 10:22 PM	#6
zachts Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO. Posts: 3,259	I think you'll be good to start around 36 or so LEDs, a lot will come down to how you want them configured and your other expectations/design criteria. What have you seen and what do you like color wise. Will they be dimmable? Individual channel control? Many other factors. But basically in the ball park of 36 LEDs with 80degree optics and at least a 2:1 ratio of blues to whites. (I'd go a bit bluer, but it all comes down to personal aesthetics at that point) At 700-1000mA you'll be able to grow just about anything, to grow SPS on the bottom of the tank you may you might need a few more, or higher drive current, but there are too many factors to be more specific than a ball park idea. The more information you can give us the better recommendations we can provide. What I would do for my tanks is not necessarily the same or desirable for someone else. There is a lot of subjectivity involved in implementing LEDs and even more approaches that work.

11/08/2013, 07:45 PM	#8
zachts Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO. Posts: 3,259	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2333949 My fun little project intended to light half a 55gal. Spend some time searching RC for LED builds to help get an Idea of what your aiming to do. There's a lot of good ideas and experience to pull from.