20g long LED lighting?

[Triple R]

ok so i just recently set up a 20g long 30x12x12. i was wondering what is the best and cheapest way to light this tank up with LEDs for sps. i just switched to 1 175w MH fixture from 4 t5 bulbs now the real lighting i want is LED. i know this tank is long so i was wondering what LED fixtures are best for this set up, or even a DIY.

i just saw this on reefkoi, does anyone have experience with these?

http://reefkoi.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20&products_id=1550

 

[tosiek]

Ideally you want 3w LED's. Evo mainly uses 1W. The fixture you would think about from EVO is the 200w versions, and even then in the long run for the fixture I would think about another company. Maxspec is great for versatility and addons you can make to the fixtures but they are going for 800$ or so. Its the only company I seen that is doing that on all their fixtures so far. If you need to change out LED's its as easy as unplugging and swapping it out for another.

The other option you have is making one yourself or getting someone to make you a DIY fixture with Cree's. Ideally you want around 48 LED's to cover but you can cut that a bit given the depth of the tank. Maybe 36 or so? Should be around 400-500$ in materials.

 

[JonnyJ]

There is a whole thread on this site for the reefkoi "evolution" leds.


If you were going to do a DIY kit, I personally think he could get away with a 24 or 36led kit. that tanks footprint is small....shallow and only 12 inches deep...

i was going to do a 36led kit for my 36x18x12h tank.


Anyways, most LED systems will cover like 24", but in your case since your tank is shallow you can raise the fixture up to get the coverage and still get the amount of light needed to grow.

It really comes down to your budget and what you want the fixture to do.

Id stick to AI,ACAN, PAC SUN - reputable..

You could alway aquascape your tank in a way that all rocks get coverage.

could also do 3 par 38's...

 

[pecan2phat]

You would want 40 degree focal optics if considering a commercial unit since your tank is only 12" front to back, the light spill without focal optics would have so much light spill. If you build your own then you can just do 2 rows of emitters.
The SWC 60w units might work for you and they are manually dimmable to control kelvin temperature to your taste.

 

[Triple R]

rapidled has the retro with 24 led and the drilled and tapped heatsink that it 23" long. there are 8 rows and each row holds 3 leds . that cost is only $260 will that be enough?

led retro
http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-53/24-Ultra-Premium-LED/Detail
heatsink
http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-95/Drilled-and-Tapped-4.25%22/Detail