Settings for ViparSpectra 165w in 55g?

[GpixL_]

Hi, I am starting a 55g saltwater tank and I bought 2 of these lights for my tank. I have no idea what light setting to set them to and was wondering if you guys could help! Thanks!

The fish I'm getting are:
- Pair of Clownfish
- Wrasse
- Yellow Watchman Goby
- Lawnmower Blenny
- Scopus Tang

The Coral I'm getting are:
- Pulsing Xenia
- Zoanthid
- Green Star Polyp
- Birdsnest
- Montipora Cap

- Hopefully Anemone

 

[A Young Reefer]

What are the lights?

 

[GpixL_]

ViparSpectra 165w​

 

[Bpb]

Start conservative with about 25-30% blue, and 5-10% white. Go up gradually over several weeks but I wouldn’t exceed 50% blues and 25% whites with those. How high off the water are you putting them

 

[GpixL_]

Start conservative with about 25-30% blue, and 5-10% white. Go up gradually over several weeks but I wouldn’t exceed 50% blues and 25% whites with those. How high off the water are you putting them

13 inches more or less. Should I start with that number when cycling with turbo start as well? I am putting turbo start and fish soon.

 

[Spare time]

13 inches more or less. Should I start with that number when cycling with turbo start as well? I am putting turbo start and fish soon.

I'd definitely mount the lights higher and try what bpb said. Don't underestimate how powerful these lights can be lol

 

[GpixL_]

I'd definitely mount the lights higher and try what bpb said. Don't underestimate how powerful these lights can be lol

The manual actually told me 8-10”. So how high should I go?

 

[nereefpat]

The higher the better, in terms of coverage and color mixing, with black boxes.

 

[GpixL_]

The higher the better, in terms of coverage and color mixing, with black boxes.

So just go until the lights cover the tank? Ask what level lights should i do for the beginning of the tank?

 

[nereefpat]

So just go until the lights cover the tank? Ask what level lights should i do for the beginning of the tank?

Bpb would have a better opinion on level (intensity). I would hang them as high as you can until you can't stand the light spill.

@Uncle99 would have an opinion on height and settings.

 

[ikaros70]

I have my Viparspectra mounted 11” off the waterline. That gives it what I would consider somewhat decent spread.
These lights come with 90’ lenses and could use a 120* lens. I have 120* lenses coming but they are not in yet. Ordered from alliexpress.
I have mine set to 25% blue, 5% white.
That is what I would start with. I would put SPS towards the top and lps/softies towards the bottom.
Check if anyone in your area has a par meter, with led lighting you pretty much need one.
I am from the days of MH, you didn’t really need a par meter then but times have changed. LED is a whole different animal.

 

[GpixL_]

I have my Viparspectra mounted 11” off the waterline. That gives it what I would consider somewhat decent spread.
These lights come with 90’ lenses and could use a 120* lens. I have 120* lenses coming but they are not in yet. Ordered from alliexpress.
I have mine set to 25% blue, 5% white.
That is what I would start with. I would put SPS towards the top and lps/softies towards the bottom.
Check if anyone in your area has a par meter, with led lighting you pretty much need one.
I am from the days of MH, you didn’t really need a par meter then but times have changed. LED is a whole different animal.

Thanks! I dont have a par meter and from what ive seen they are like $300

 

[ikaros70]

The seneye is ~$200, once my 120 lenses come in, that’s what I am buying to check exactly where I am at with par in my tank

 

[Rick's Reviews]

I have my vispectre 165 watt 16cm from top of my 200litre, 44g 2ft X 1ft aquarium, I have had mine @30% white and 30% blues which until recently has been maximum I have set to.
My blues come on at 8am and whites at 9am, then turn off whites at 5:00pm then blues at 6:00pm channel 1 and 2)

I want to share a WARNING in regards to this light, once you set up timer of both blue and whites please do not attempt to adjust without changing time settings i:e/for example please do not try to turn on lights to show your friends/ family or yourself without adjusting the time WARNING

I did this and my vispectre the next day was on 100% white and burnt all my corals (after being on for 1hour)

I manually adjusted/ for lights to come on for a couple of minutes after set time and the next day it was at full capacity 100% even though timer was set,
This is a very powerful light at full strength, it is a great light once setup correctly I believe however please be careful with basic settings/setup 'WARNING'
A white led spotlight/ downlighter in kitchen or bathroom is 5watts each, 10 of these is 50 watts... the vispectre is 165watt so please be carefull

 

[ikaros70]

Is that a common issue with Viparspectra?
First I am seeing anything on this issue.
Reason I ask, mine do not have that issue.
I turn mine on/off manually all the time and have not run into that issue.

 

[Bpb]

I think if you took a comprehensive polling of all people who have run stellar tanks with black boxes, almost no one would agree with the manufacturer recommendation of 8” mounting height

 

[Uncle99]

Bpb would have a better opinion on level (intensity). I would hang them as high as you can until you can't stand the light spill.

@Uncle99 would have an opinion on height and settings.

These type lighting configuration does best when mounted somewhat on the higher end say 16-24” as the height helps to keep the light mixed. Lights fixtures last longer when mounted higher as they are farther away from salted humidity and splash.

At the 16” level, I got 300 Par blue 30% white 5% at the surface, 175-200 down 12” and say 80-125 on the bottom, another 12” down, 50ish in the corners.
This based on 24”x24”x24” cube.

Strong light, older models keep bad time, and sometimes changes are not remembered.
Older models have clock in the middle, newer ones have clock to the right.

Both these issues fixed on newer models.

Mine have run now past 5 years.

 

[Uncle99]

Hi, I am starting a 55g saltwater tank and I bought 2 of these lights for my tank. I have no idea what light setting to set them to and was wondering if you guys could help! Thanks!

The fish I'm getting are:
- Pair of Clownfish
- Wrasse
- Yellow Watchman Goby
- Lawnmower Blenny
- Scopus Tang

The Coral I'm getting are:
- Pulsing Xenia
- Zoanthid
- Green Star Polyp
- Birdsnest
- Montipora Cap

- Hopefully Anemone

This is a 55g with two Visparspectra 165.

 

[GpixL_]

This is a 55g with two Visparspectra 165.

Looks amazing! My tank is 48" by 13". Height of 20" and I put the 2 lights 15" from the tank. Is that ok? Also should I still do the 30/5? It would be different par wise tho right? Thanks

 

[Uncle99]

Looks amazing! My tank is 48" by 13". Height of 20" and I put the 2 lights 15" from the tank. Is that ok? Also should I still do the 30/5? It would be different par wise tho right? Thanks

30/5 if you like the look and forget them