Light reccomendation

[sgslic]

Hi Bros,

New to marine. Recently just setup a IQ5 for zoas.

What lights is recommended for such a setup?

Currently using the default IQ5 LED but It dont seem to be bright enuff...

[stevenchia]

Maybe a post on ur pic will help us to see and recomend.

[sgslic]

Attached pic. Trying out the beamswork LED..

[stevenchia]

Lighting looks pretty good.. Lighting should be good enough to keep some easy sps. wat model is that?

[sgslic]

BeamsWork Super Bright Clip On LED Super Slim LED Aquarium Light fixture

Brand Name BeamsWork Model Number Super Bright Clip On Aquarium LED Light Fixture Black finish housing Fixture Type Clip on Light Source LED LED Setting 27x 10000K daylight, 6x 460nm Actinic Certification CE

Got the info fr the net. Would this light suffice for the keeping of zoas? Or would i need smth like the par38 lights?

[stevenchia]

Its more than enough to keep zoas. i think par 38.. is not so good imo.. Looks like alot dead spots, may need 2 par. Yes color is nice but i think the light on par38 is not well distributed. Mayb those who use par38 can give their coments.

[Jameshong]

Its more than enough to keep zoas. i think par 38.. is not so good imo.. Looks like alot dead spots, may need 2 par. Yes color is nice but i think the light on par38 is not well distributed. Mayb those who use par38 can give their coments.

Unless it's 1.5ft tank or above else IMO, one PAR 38 should be enough for IQ5 liao....

[sherman]

From your photo the light should be enough to keep LPS AND ZOOS.(Unless you PP your photo)

Unless you are planning to go SPS save your money for other items

you might need

[kenny1111]

u can keep zoa with this light, but dont expect zoa to color up well under this light. i already try this last time on my 1ft cube. u will see zoa extend out begging for light.

now i keeping it with my t5 in my sump for cheato.

[sgslic]

Thanks bros! Ive bought a PAR38 light. Blue.

Hoping that will be enough for my zoas!

[gymbvolka]

LED lighting is tricky especially the quality of the light emitter and angle of the lens, but PAR38 light should do well with Zoas and LPS.

Good luck Sglic bro.

[skyjuice123]

Do not always think that LED is always more efficient than fluorescent fittings although it is true that they will emit less heat to reduce chiller load. US Department of Energy (DOE) found in 2009 that LEDs were in fact less efficient. What make them efficient is because its smaller size and lesser emitted heat enable efficient and cheap plastic reflectors and lens to be used. so please use them with proper reflectors and lens and not bare especially when you DIY.

http://skyjuiceiswater.blogspot.sg/2012/11/led-lights-saves-energy.html

[sherman]

Depend on your usage ,lens and reflectors is not always require.

You use lens only when you need to penetrate more then 15 inches of height.

Wrong use of lens can result in light falling on the wrong place.

[skyjuice123]

Agree.. there are also many different type of lens. Select the right one.

Here is some len selection depending on the beam angle

http://www.luxeonstar.com/Select-By-Beam-Angle-s/277.htm

Depend on your usage ,lens and reflectors is not always require.

You use lens only when you need to penetrate more then 15 inches of height.

Wrong use of lens can result in light falling on the wrong place.

[skyjuice123]

Here is an article on how to design aquarium LED lightings. sometime, one might like to highlight certain areas. It mentioned that normal LED without the lens has a beam angle about 90 to 120 degree, this is far too wide and unfocus for most application. He never teach pple how to select the lens.. may be one would have to trial and error.

http://support.luxeo...uarium-lighting

[skyjuice123]

Here is a good article advising on beam angle for plants and Aqua works. small 5 mm type usually have beam angle of around 90-120.

http://www.proledsys...vex-lenses.html

[gymbvolka]

Here is a good article advising on beam angle for plants and Aqua works. small 5 mm type usually have beam angle of around 90-120.

http://www.proledsys...vex-lenses.html

Yes, angle of the lens is important.

They not only direct the angle of the light source and also determine the intensity and focus of the light

Normally marine LED light come in 90 degree, rarely 120deg ( unless is super cheap product), 90 degree lens can suit soft and LPS ) however the when come to SPS, is always prefer to be 60 degrees. ( more intense and focus)

Without a len, the light will diffuse and spread all around the tank.

This will also causes more algae growth at the side of the tank glass.

[gymbvolka]

Do not always think that LED is always more efficient than fluorescent fittings although it is true that they will emit less heat to reduce chiller load. US Department of Energy (DOE) found in 2009 that LEDs were in fact less efficient. What make them efficient is because its smaller size and lesser emitted heat enable efficient and cheap plastic reflectors and lens to be used. so please use them with proper reflectors and lens and not bare especially when you DIY.

http://skyjuiceiswat...ves-energy.html

just some sharing,

I think LED is more efficient than fluorescent.

Not just less heat but also higher PUR value light spectrum

In term of maintenance, LED life span is much longer, when fluorescent aged, they produce un-useful light source (more yellowish) and cause algae to grow faster.

therefore cut down the hassle of changing fluorescent bulb

[adrian_ych]

Do not always think that LED is always more efficient than fluorescent fittings although it is true that they will emit less heat to reduce chiller load. US Department of Energy (DOE) found in 2009 that LEDs were in fact less efficient. What make them efficient is because its smaller size and lesser emitted heat enable efficient and cheap plastic reflectors and lens to be used. so please use them with proper reflectors and lens and not bare especially when you DIY.

http://skyjuiceiswat...ves-energy.html

Bro...not to shower on you and not a punt...

But I think there were many LED developments recently and with China opening up, sadly, there are quite a lot of reports on LEDs are either outdated or too bias.

Most of the developments are made by Japanese, Korean or European organisations/companies which at times make them more affordable in Asia than US.

[Marine_fanaticz]

BeamsWork Super Bright Clip On LED Super Slim LED Aquarium Light fixture

Brand Name BeamsWork Model Number Super Bright Clip On Aquarium LED Light Fixture Black finish housing Fixture Type Clip on Light Source LED LED Setting 27x 10000K daylight, 6x 460nm Actinic Certification CE

Got the info fr the net. Would this light suffice for the keeping of zoas? Or would i need smth like the par38 lights?

Dont think this light is good enough... a bit too dim already. dosent bring out the true colours the the zoas. When you use the blue light alone, really dim.

[epicfish]

I use a PAR 38 before, should be more than enough for IQ5, but I have a bad experience trying to maintain a very small aquarium, mostly due to the great fluctuations in salinity. Unless you are willing to keep a constant lookout for evaporation, the livestocks will suffer alot. I see a dymax skimmer on your table, if u r planning on using that, I recommend to use a quality airstone. From my personal experience with it, barely manage to skim anything at all. I resorted to constant water change, and believe it or not, nano tanks are harder to maintain than a decent 2f tank.