par value

[sansouci01]

Is there a formula to use to figure out par values for led lights

 

[mr_X]

There is no formula. you would need a PAR meter.
If you wanted a fixture that would allow you to keep whatever you wanted, i would look for something with 2 or 3 watt LEDs. the 1 watters are fine for shallow situations, but they lack the punch for deeper tanks.

 

[sansouci01]

Thanks.
My tank is about 14 inches deep. Now is that 1 watt per gallon minimum ?

 

[mr_X]

14" top to bottom? It's not per gallon, it's per emitter.
I would think you could use a fixture with 1 watt LEDs in it for a 14" deep tank. What are the dimensions of this tank?

 

[sansouci01]

It's a 20 gallon tall. 24" long...12" wide....14" deep

 

[sansouci01]

would this work for soft corals like zoas...

• Dimensions - 23.00” x 5.00” x 1.00”
• Brackets add 0.65" in height
• Includes 27 LEDs
• 1 watt LED
• 1600 Lumen
• 22x 10000K LEDs
• 5x Actinic 460nm LEDs
• Slim and contemporary light design
• 2 mode on / off function for day and night use
• Mode 1 turns on all LEDs
• Mode 2 turns on Actinic LEDs
• Extendable bracket - 24"-30" max extend
• Extendable bracket - 60cm - 75cm max extend
• Non-corrosive powder coated aluminum housing
• Splash guard
• 110V - 220V

 

[mr_X]

I would say yes. Probably something with a lot of LEDs though. Maybe 3 per row, and 12 rows. So, 3 emitters for every 2" x 12" area. I'm just guessing here, but I think that should do you well.


*edit* you posted as I answered. I wouldn't want that fixture above because it only has 27 LEDs total, and only 5 of them are blues.

 

[sansouci01]

how about this one

• Dimensions - 23.00” x 9.25” x 1.25”
• Brackets add 0.65" in height
• Includes 32 LEDs
• 1 watt LEDs
• 24x 10000K
• 8x Actinic 460nm
• 2200 lumens.
• 1x manual two mode on/off switch
• Mode 1 turns on all LEDs.
• Mode 2 turns on the Actinic 460nm only.
• Includes cooling fan.
• Timer ready. Fixture pre-wired for add on timer module.
• Timer module can control the 10000K and Actinic LEDs separately.
• Timer module(s) not included.
• 1x access port pre-wired for timer module
• External LED drivers
• Extendable wire brackets
• Splash guard.
• Slim and contemporary design
• Extendable bracket 24"-28" (60cm - 70cm)
• 110V - 220V

 

[mr_X]

Still no. I would want at least the same amount of blues as whites, preferably, more blues than whites.

 

[sansouci01]

ok..so blue is just as or more important than white lights

 

[mr_X]

I would say more important. The bottom line is PAR (how much light is used for photosynthesis) that a light is putting out, but if you use just whites, your tank is not going to look very pretty.