LED Height Above Water

[Flux Capacitor]

I figured I'd start a thread on how high you guys have your LEDS above the water. I currently have 90 gallon, with 2 Hydra 52s sitting about 6 inches above the water, running at no more than 45% on any channel. I am building a new canopy for my tank, and I am considering brining them up to about 10-11 inches above.



What do you guys do?



This isnt just for the Hydras, I figured it would be a good place for all LEDs out there for everyone to reference.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Great topic!

I recommend a dry fit.
Mark out an area on the floor and place them over it.

I aim for the top of the tank, not the bottom.


My 20x 20 cube, with a maxspect razor.
Too low.

A bit too high.

 

[chefjpaul]

I have a 90G with 2 hydra 52hd.
I find I like them at 12"
Fyi- my tank is 46x22

 

[Flux Capacitor]

Thanks guys!

I never thought about doing a dry fit with them on, thats a great idea!

Chef, what height is your PAR meter sitting showing 503? Using a PAR is something I have never done, but I have been thinking it might be necessary once I get the new height set. Just curious why do you run your greens, and reds at 0%?

 

[chefjpaul]

Sorry, that was at water line / center between the lights.

This tank is new, no corals really yet, I didn't run R&G much on my last system either.
Still playing with them before I go coral shopping this weekend. Then leave them alone
Mid center:

Sand center:

 

[Flippers4pups]

3 165w mars aqua units, 13" off water.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

How did you all , (op included), determine how you set the height?

 

[Flux Capacitor]

Sorry, that was at water line / center between the lights.

This tank is new, no corals really yet, I didn't run R&G much on my last system either.
Still playing with them before I go coral shopping this weekend. Then leave them alone
Mid center:

Sand center:

Thanks for the screen shots! I know they are a little different lights, but that gives me an idea.

 

[chefjpaul]

How did you all , (op included), determine how you set the height?

Trick questions Salty[emoji23][emoji23]
I started with dry tank & light spillage etc. It was originally 8".

After water and rock, started taking par readings vs. Shadowing in tank.
Raised them untill I found a balance I think will benefit the corals most. Still a bit of tweaking to do in regards to the intensity / colors, but I wanted to "Blast" the tank as someone I know reffers to.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Trick questions Salty[emoji23][emoji23]
I started with dry tank & light spillage etc. It was originally 8".

After water and rock, started taking par readings vs. Shadowing in tank.
Raised them untill I found a balance I think will benefit the corals most. Still a bit of tweaking to do in regards to the intensity / colors, but I wanted to "Blast" the tank as someone I know reffers to.

Thanks. I think it's a good point to bring up.

Hmmmm, light blaster? ON reef2reef?! I may have to google that one.

 

[Flux Capacitor]

I set mine from the old canopy. I bought aluminum L brackets from Home Depot, and attached them to the sides. Thats what dictated my lights height.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Back in October when I first got them.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

32" SB ReefLight over an 80 gallon shallow @13" above water line. Not concerned with shadowed areas on edges as I've been using those areas for lower light corals as I've been Ramping the light up.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I took the lenses off mine, on the edges of each lights on each end of the tank. Big improvement. Eliminated the shadowing.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I make it sound like it's intentional, but, really a lack of gumption at moment to play with it. Hahahaha. I still need to add a second coat of stain to the face of my stand. But my tank functions perfectly without it. Maybe I'll have some drive after vacation coming up.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I took the lenses off mine, on the edges of each lights on each end of the tank. Big improvement. Eliminated the shadowing.

How many lights in from the edge did you go to get the spread you needed?

 

[reefox]

thats cool and all but not everyone has a sen eye where they can see the pur in their tanks - thats a whole nother thing where you have to spend 300+ dollars just to find out what your lights are putting out - that to me is one of the most ridiculous things ever radion does a good job of having charts and graphs for ppl - but i think if i put a light on my tank hang it 12 from the waterline i should be able to plug it in and grow whatever i want without having to adjust anything or set it or whatever - they should have like 10 questions or something how many lights - tank dimensions - sps dominant - lps dominant - mixed - softy or fowler - and not all this other jibber jabber par - pur ect ect - i would think there would be a better solution to this

i run t5 on one setup and led on another and yeah im not sure my 6bulb HO ati bulbs are enough for the sps but i do know they are too much for my lps so its like hmmmmm what im a ganna do ??? just got another tank to plumb into it so i can run sps frags in one tank lps frags in another tank and i have no clue what im going to use when i get a full on display tank - to many variables

I have a 90G with 2 hydra 52hd.
I find I like them at 12"
Fyi- my tank is 46x22

 

[Bruce Burnett]

I set my orpheks based off the distance to bottom of tank. My lights are 36" off the bottom so that put them 9" above water line.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I set my orpheks based off the distance to bottom of tank. My lights are 36" off the bottom so that put them 9" above water line.

How did you come up with that plan? Or more correctly why.

 

[BlennyKravitz]

Kessil AP700s 10" on SPS dominant mixed Reefer 525XL at 65%... I think it's too much though so I'm going to move them up a bit and/or lower the output.