Question about Chalices under LEDs

BrooksReef · Jan 3, 2012

HI everyone!

I recently bought a small, 5g, EcoPico tank by EcoExotic! I was wondering if I'll be able to (successfully) keep Chalices under 5, 3 watt, 12k LEDs. Or will I need to add something on there? I've kept them well under PAR38's, but I'm not exactly sure how big of a difference there is here.

Any input is appreciated!

Thank you!
Brooks

BrooksReef · Jan 3, 2012

Tank is 12" in height, BTW.

subielover · Jan 3, 2012

I think it would be just fine. Most chalices, in my experience, do better under lower lighting. Don't underestimate the power of LED's either, they can cook corals.

BrooksReef · Jan 3, 2012

Awesome! Thank you for the information? Now, my next question: should I even GET 2 more (I already have 3)?

Reed639 · Jan 3, 2012

What else are you going to put in the tank besides chalices?
If its all chalices I would just stay with little wattage.
Chalices like low light.

BrooksReef · Jan 3, 2012

Acans, Zoanthids, and possibly a Bird's Nest or Cat's Paw at the top of the tank.

Reed639 · Jan 3, 2012

I mean I would just say with 3 should be more than enough.If you add two many leds it will burn your corals up.Literally those things are powerful man.
So I say stay with three should be fine even for a birdsnest.

BrooksReef · Jan 3, 2012

Sweet! That is great news. Wasn't too interested in spending $90 MORE! Would've had to buy the 2 strips, transformer, as well as a splitter. :|

Thank you all so much for the EXTREMELY useful information!

Murfman · Jan 3, 2012

I have an Eco Pico and could not keep zoas alive under the 3 leds. Not enough light.

BrooksReef · Jan 3, 2012

Murfman said:
I have an Eco Pico and could not keep zoas alive under the 3 leds. Not enough light.

Uh-oh! Really? You had 3 strips installed and couldn't keep Zoanthids?!

SethTheWineGuy · Jan 3, 2012

Reed639 said:
What else are you going to put in the tank besides chalices?
If its all chalices I would just stay with little wattage.
Chalices like low light.

Tell that to some of my Chalices. They keep begging for more light and they're getting 400+ PAR with LED's already

BrooksReef · Jan 3, 2012

SethTheWineGuy said:
Tell that to some of my Chalices. They keep begging for more light and they're getting 400+ PAR with LED's already

Are they lacking coloration, or...? Keep in mind, this tank is only 5g. So with 3 strips, I'm getting about 2w per gallon.

subielover · Jan 4, 2012

I thought you said it was 5 3-watt LED's???

Onedesign1 · Jan 4, 2012

watts per gallon is not a very good yardstick these days. However, I run LEDs on my 120g very dim from a PAR perspective...its very bright to the eye....I keep all my chalices on the ends where I get 50-60 PAR with an Apogee sensor (which I checked in the sun and used their calculator and its within -4%). So for me very dim is good.

But I'm confused on what LEDs you are using?

BrooksReef · Jan 4, 2012

subielover said:
I thought you said it was 5 3-watt LED's???

That was my original intention, to go with 5 of 3w strips. But then it was suggested to me an in earlier post to stick with 3. Each strip contains 3, 1w LED lights.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Ecoxotic_EcoPico_LED_Strip_Accessories-Ecoxotic-XX08300-FIAQAA-vi.html

Onedesign1 said:
watts per gallon is not a very good yardstick these days. However, I run LEDs on my 120g very dim from a PAR perspective...its very bright to the eye....I keep all my chalices on the ends where I get 50-60 PAR with an Apogee sensor (which I checked in the sun and used their calculator and its within -4%). So for me very dim is good.

But I'm confused on what LEDs you are using?

I'll be using either 3, or 5 of the EcoExotic 3w strips that are made for the EcoPico. Each strip contains 3, 1w LED lights.