PAR38 lighting question

[jxlex]

Hi hi,

Recently started my 1ft cube and have installed a par38(3 blue 2 whites).

Thinking of adding 2 items:

1: another par38 so that I can mount them both side by side at an angle to cover more surface area in the tank. More importantly, 2 bulbs will help dilute the heavy shadows cast by 1 single build from the top. The par38s would run for about 6hrs per day.

2: a led light strip from madpetz which would run for 14-16hrs per day.

I have 2 issues which I am pondering over and need to decide before I go ahead with the addition:-

1: for the par38, should I get another with 3blue & 2whites or should I get a 2blue & 3 whites or the other one with reds, blue and white? If I go for 3b2w my complete set would have 6b4w but if I go for the 2b3w I will end up with 5b5w. If I go for the latter with red the whole mix-up would be quite equal with an addition of red. Kinda spoilt for choice here

2: I have the option to go for a 100% blue led light strip or a led strip with alternating blue and red LEDs (resultant color is purplish). The main concern I have here is the advice that some red in the lighting would aid color enhancement of the sps. I kind of buy into this concept as alot of colorful sps in nature are quite near the surface where the red spectrum is still available but am not sure what the impact would be like if I have it on for such a long time.

In general, due to the limited space, I place more emphasize on coloration rather then quick growth.

If any kind souls out there can help me with some advice, it would be really appreciated.

Thanks much in advance! :thank you:

[bellinayu]

1. I would opt for more blues in the tank so I wld go with 6b 4w. More blues will enhance the colours of the corals and bring out the blue polyps. Also more pleasing to the eyes.

2. Depending what you want to use the led strip for? If it's for moonlight effect, then go with all blues when yr par38 is off. If you are using it to complement yr par, I will choose alternating blue with red to bring out the red of the corals.

[jxlex]

1. I would opt for more blues in the tank so I wld go with 6b 4w. More blues will enhance the colours of the corals and bring out the blue polyps. Also more pleasing to the eyes.

2. Depending what you want to use the led strip for? If it's for moonlight effect, then go with all blues when yr par38 is off. If you are using it to complement yr par, I will choose alternating blue with red to bring out the red of the corals.

Thanks for the advice appreciated! Since space is limited, I'm probably gg to go for colors as first priority.

If I'm looking at complimenting the par and at the same time having a moonlight effect would the red and blue alternating LEDs be alright or should I have 2 strips, 1 blue and the other alternating?

By moonlight, can I confirm if I need to even turn it off? Or should I leave it 24/7?

Tks again

[bellinayu]

The moonlight usually comes on after yr par is off. Eg. If yr lights turn off at 10.30pm, yr moonlight should come on 10-12 (the time you sleep). Moonlight is usually all blue lights. Go with 2 strips if you have space and willing to spend the additional $. That way, you can have the red spectrum to complement yr par and just have the blue lights on for the moonlight effect. Are the LED strips high powered ones suitable for marine? What is the brand?

[jxlex]

Understood... In that case my solite 1w blue led can still act as a moonlight feature while I have the led strip to compliment my par lovely! :thank you:

I'm not exactly sure of the brand though... I was recommended by K from MP to get it... It's a single 1 ft strip that has quite a number of bulbs on it...

[gargamelron]

I'm using 2 par38. One is 3b2w, the other is all blue, also have a strip of led with blue and red.

Led strip will goes with the par38

1.led strip on

2.led strip + par38 blue

3.both par on - led strip

4.par38 blue + led strip - par38 3b2w

5.lastly left led strip on till bed time

Total hour for whole proccess is 8hrs.

Total hour for all light on is 2hrs.

If more will have algea grows

[gargamelron]

My tank thread

[jxlex]

I'm using 2 par38. One is 3b2w, the other is all blue, also have a strip of led with blue and red.

Led strip will goes with the par38

1.led strip on

2.led strip + par38 blue

3.both par on - led strip

4.par38 blue + led strip - par38 3b2w

5.lastly left led strip on till bed time

Total hour for whole proccess is 8hrs.

Total hour for all light on is 2hrs.

If more will have algea grows

Thanks bro! Another option for me to dwell over

nice tank you have btw... Another pics with lights on? Tks bro!