Yet another lighting question.

AquatiCreations said:
This sounds very interesting, especially if it doesn't get "too" technical, I see that you have a 15 long, and the pictures look like that setup is doing your coral justice.

As for the lower light sand bed, that's exactly why I chose the 15 high, so I could keep the SPS up top, and the softies in the bottom.

When you say 12 LEDs should be enough, do you mean 12 daylight, or are actinics included there?
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I think you may be fairly interested in looking at this article by Dr. Joshi which compared the supposed "best" of the newer forms of lighting: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/2/aafeature2 I don't like his bulb choice for the halide, though, as that would have been a big deciding factor as far as PAR and the reflector could've been better. He was using fairly high PAR T5 lamps, as well as top-notch reflectors, though.
 
Amphiprion said:
I think you may be fairly interested in looking at this article by Dr. Joshi which compared the supposed "best" of the newer forms of lighting: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/2/aafeature2 I don't like his bulb choice for the halide, though, as that would have been a big deciding factor as far as PAR and the reflector could've been better. He was using fairly high PAR T5 lamps, as well as top-notch reflectors, though.
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Thank you for the read, from the data represented on the tables, it still seems as though MH, and T5 have the highest PAR values, so would this suggest that Metal Halides are still the best choice for reef lighting?

There is a fixture that I have been looking at http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+15489&pcatid=15489

Would this fixture be a good choice for my application, and if so what wattage would be the best choice?
 
Actually, all things considered, LED and T5 are pretty much equivalent in this particular instance. I know some DIY fixtures can be even brighter. That being said, MH is still the most intense option to date, especially the higher wattages and lower color temperature lamps.

That being said, the 150w watt lamp should be ideal for your application/needs, unless you'll be dealing with organisms that need or prefer immense amounts of light.
 
You could use that fixture, but I doubt the floods will be sufficient. If you want to use a standard fixture, check the lamps HERE. They are a bit pricey, but they are nice little intense lamps. They are a bit harder to deal with, especially if you get a lens with an angle that is too narrow. I would think that 2 80 degree optic lenses would likely be sufficient for your smaller tank. Higher light corals closer to the lamp, lower ones elsewhere.
 
I have been using LeColt Lotus LEDs 10.4 watt ones over my 90cm tank. I bought them over time during a 6 month period. They are inexpensive and extremely bright. I just bought my third one fof 70 bucks from Yahoo auction. I highly recommend them. I do not know their availibity outside of Japan, however.

Here is the maker site. They range from 70 to 120 bucks converting from Yen to dollars. The site says 21,000 yen, but thats the 'makers' price. You'll never see these sold in shops for that much.

http://www.kamihata.co.jp/light/l_1005.html
 
Thanks for the replys guys, the pendulum idea is most likely the option I will be exploring,I like the lower upfront price, and that I won't need to replace a bulb for quite some time, from what I've read the one's from nano customs are very promising I might just buy one when they get more of the 20k in stock.

Abbot I will do some searching and see if I can't find a U.S. retailer, thanks for the heads up!
 
I considered them for a while for my new tank, but I couldn't pass up the deal on the halide (well, both deals). I was able to get more intensity out of the halide for the same cost, which ended up being better for the seagrass I'm growing.
 
leds in tubes are gimmickey

my personal rule for leds is that if it doesnt need a heatsink its not powerful

12 leds total, assuming a 20 inch footprint, 6 white 6 blue

the 5 leds housed in a par38, either from sunpark or nanocustoms or ecoxotic are powerful, however you will need two, which will match up in terms of price to a diy for that size.
 
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