more lights, less intensity vs less lights higher intensity

[Finn450]

Hi All...looking for some feedback on lighting. 48x20x21 system. Mixed reef. Currently running Red Sea 115G2s. I have 3 lights running @ 65%. Would I be better off running 2 @ 100%? It seems the lower percentages greatly impact par readings and don't feel spread or shadowing will be an issue.

 

[tbrown]

Personally I prefer more lights to less lights. Any reason you wouldn't consider just bumping up to 70% or 75% intensity to gain PAR?

 

[exnisstech]

You already have 3 lights so I would just crank them up to get the par you desire.

 

[ReneReef]

345 watts above 300 liters.
I would be running all three lights at 85-90%. During a 6 hour peak midday.

 

[Finn450]

Thanks all, guess I'm overthinking it and went down the path of the light being more efficient @ 100% vs 60-70%.

 

[oreo54]

Thanks all, guess I'm overthinking it and went down the path of the light being more efficient @ 100% vs 60-70%.

Technically the softer ( cooler) you run an led the more efficient it gets.

More photons/ watt but of course you have less watts

Oh and the cooler the longer they live.
In a well thermal managed light it shouldn't do much though .

 

[slingfox]

This is an absolute no brainer: More lights at lower intensity. Using a par meter you can dial in the lights to the correct intensity. At lower intensity the lights will run more efficiently and last longer. With more lights you get more spread and less shadowing.

The primary downside of running more lights is doing so hurts the wallet!