Salty Noobs "Not So Nano" 29g Reef Build

[paul87]

Your gonna love LEDs on your tank! The actinics are bright at night if you dont have a dimmer. I added 6 true lumen 1 watt leds to use at night and morning when lights cut off and before they come on. (I dont have a dimmer). Heres my mod.

[Big Tex]

Originally Posted by paul87

Your gonna love LEDs on your tank! The actinics are bright at night if you dont have a dimmer. I added 6 true lumen 1 watt leds to use at night and morning when lights cut off and before they come on. (I dont have a dimmer). Heres my mod.

Aww man I'm so excited now! About how close should I space the lights from the water surface? And I like that mod, that's clean!

[paul87]

Originally Posted by Big Tex

Aww man I'm so excited now! About how close should I space the lights from the water surface? And I like that mod, that's clean!

Thanks. Only 6 watts! Lol. It should have recommendations on the light specs. Mines about 10" id guess.

[Stlrockguy]

Taos are 10-12 inches. I have mine about 10 inches from the waters surface

[Big Tex]

cool, what changes with the distance from the water surface? ive always wondered..

[Stlrockguy]

I think that would depend in the optics of the lens. Most are 90 degrees but I'm not exactly sure

[Big Tex]

Originally Posted by Stlrockguy

I think that would depend in the optics of the lens. Most are 90 degrees but I'm not exactly sure

So what changes if the optics are 90*..?

[Stlrockguy]

I'm not 100% sure in that Tex but give me a few minutes and I'll educate myself on it real quick. Mine are 90*

[Stlrockguy]

It has to do with the way light is reflected. The 90* optics reflects the light 90* out from the bulb

[Stlrockguy]

http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/choosing-the-right-optic/
Read that article it's help me understand

[Big Tex]

No I meant what does the distance from the water change lol

[Stlrockguy]

I'm going to find out. I asked someone that knows a lot

[Big Tex]

Originally Posted by Stlrockguy

I'm going to find out. I asked someone that knows a lot

Lol good

[Stlrockguy]

I'm curious myself

[paul87]

I think its just the intensity of the 3w leds and letting the light spread evenly over the tank. The tao led fixture isnt as long as your tank. Put it too close and it may create a beam of light just in the middle of the tank, plus it could melt some coral.

[Stlrockguy]

It's kinda like taking a flashlight and pointing it at something. The closer it is causes the light not to spread out. The further away you go the light spreads out more

[Tkey3425]

Keeps the fixture away from the water evaporation, spreads the light more evenly, keeps anything from splashing it, let's you work in the tank without moving it all around. I have mine at 12" off the surface. Shoot me a text when you read this Tex, I figured out why my Taos weren't giving me the PAR rating and growth I was expecting. All is good with them now.

[Big Tex]

Alright guys that all makes sense now, to get the true 24" coverage I'm assuming 10"-12" is the golden number, I'm figuring out how to mount it as we speak, thanks for all the help guys!

[Stlrockguy]

No problem Tex. when I first got mine I drilled some hooks into the ceiling and hung them with chains. But you have to find the studs

[Big Tex]

Originally Posted by Stlrockguy

No problem Tex. when I first got mine I drilled some hooks into the ceiling and hung them with chains. But you have to find the studs

That's what I'm just finding out, dead center of my tank is offset between two studs.. dam.. lol