Sufficient Lighting?

[Cave Dweller]

After doing a quick test with a small zoa frag, it seems that the LED strip lighting that I was primarily setting up for a FOWLR tank would not be sufficient. I don't plan on going full on reef (like a lot of people probably say) but wouldn't mind a coral here or there.

With that said, if I was to get one of those "Evergrow" LED lights from like eBay, if I was to mount it in the center of a 75 gal and perhaps keep them running at a higher percentage (not necessarily 100%) do you think it would be sufficient with enough cast off to almost keep a shadowy area off to the sides and sufficient lighting for whatever is placed in the center?

Not sure if anyone has attempted this or not. Opinions welcomed as always.

 

[Cu455]

You should be fine with the reef breeders. My 75 softie had 165 watt leds similar to the reef breeders and everything was great. The most I run them at is 60%. I will find a picture.

For reference. These leds are 75 watts and half the actual size of the reef breeders. The tank is 6ft. I was growing zoas and shrooms in the middle. Just like you I wanted the shadow effect on the sides.

 

[Cave Dweller]

Yeah budget wise I've been looking at like one of these so I can use 2 timers on it.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/330900426092?nav=SEARCH

 

[al0ha]

sufficient....MAYBE?

aesthetically though, I think having one over a 75 like the set up above looks a bit weird, having a bright focal point and darkness all around. If you're not setting up for corals because of budgeting, I would just wait and save money for maybe 2 of those evergrows or something of better quality.

 

[Cave Dweller]

Well granted my tank is only 4ft so its not going to have that much darkness. Also if I buy just the 1 unit now and then just stick FOWLR I can drop the LED strips on their as like a supplement and not be out the approx. $200 if I was to buy 2.

Was just an idea but kind of like the beam of light cutting thru darkness kind of view.

 

[Cu455]

It might look a little ackward. It was a temp tank and a lot of my fish are light sensitive. The dark areas give them a place to retreat. One evergrows will cover a 75 gallon. My tank is 2 feet longer then a 75 and the evergrows are much larger.

Best thing to do OP is to hope one youtube and search videos of 75 gallon tank with LEDs.

 

[al0ha]

yeah I guess that works....just make sure you dont change your mind and want a full blown reef a few weeks after you invest in whatever light you get because you will end up spending more money, personal experience :shhh:

 

[Cu455]

Do you know if you can link the evergrows togeather?

 

[Cave Dweller]

Thanks I had saw that it was still up for $75 at the moment. For me i'd drop the extra $25-30 and get a brand new one instead of one used lightly for about a yr. Just a personal preference is all but thanks again for keeping an eye out and helping.

 

[Cave Dweller]

Even just saw this on eBay. Pretty much twice as long and for 1.5x the price. Figure in this case it would cover a lot more of the tank and i wouldn't have to supplement a 2nd unit as mentioned before if/when i change my mind in a few weeks :smile:

What do you think?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300W-Dimmab...ydroponics&hash=item20e90745b9#ht_3142wt_1206

 

[al0ha]

never really had much luck growing corals with these generic sort of lights but it should be adequate for your purposes

 

[tonitiger101976]

I don't get why you would. Want the shadows? I'm a reefer and use 80 to 90 degree leads and still want more light. What kind of tank would that work for?

 

[bryh96]

Any of yall use a hydra fifty two for lighting? If so what do you think about it?

 

[Cu455]

I don't get why you would. Want the shadows? I'm a reefer and use 80 to 90 degree leads and still want more light. What kind of tank would that work for?

Different people what different looks. It works for many type of tanks.

 

[Smotz]

hydra 52 is fantastic. Especially with the director.
I have one over a 24x24x24 cube, and 1 over a 32x24x12 frag tank. Perfect.