Supplemental led bar for Derasa Clam

[heitlagerm]

I am moving this from Clam forum, where I had a question about uneven growth on a clam, to lighting.

I was thinking about adding a supplemental fill in light bar, just for the Tridacna Derasa. I don't need massive light spread.

These are the constraints. I have a vented hood. The bar would be mounted 9 inches from the surface, 26 inches from the sand bed where the clam will be (tank is 48 long x 18 wide). The rest of the lighting system is a DIY, steve's/rapid led system, which produces enough of PAR, but mostly in the center lengthwise, wile the clam is more toward the front, so I just want to hit that general area where the clam. Nothing more.

I was looking at an Orphek 12 inch bar. The reef day. I wondered if i can dim it using Apex. I read it has a narrow lens beam.

The other option might be the Quanta Helix Reef Crest Daylight, 23 inch fixture. But I don't need the length. I do know it can dim using the apex controller.

The Orphek is cheaper, which for me is a plus right now.

Any reasons, technically the Quanta would be better for my needs?

 

[cdemoss01]

@ISpeakForTheSeas might be able to help here.

 

[minus9]

I'm not sure a 12" bar is going to be enough for that area? Maybe pick up a used kessil with 35 degree lens to "target" light the clam. Or, just get the Quanta bar, they're so much better than Orphek.

 

[Red_Beard]

solid advice. kessil spotlight would be best if you only want to target the clam, but a helix would cover you if you wanted to eventually get more clams or anything else down the road.

 

[bobnicaragua]

I am moving this from Clam forum, where I had a question about uneven growth on a clam, to lighting.

I was thinking about adding a supplemental fill in light bar, just for the Tridacna Derasa. I don't need massive light spread.

These are the constraints. I have a vented hood. The bar would be mounted 9 inches from the surface, 26 inches from the sand bed where the clam will be (tank is 48 long x 18 wide). The rest of the lighting system is a DIY, steve's/rapid led system, which produces enough of PAR, but mostly in the center lengthwise, wile the clam is more toward the front, so I just want to hit that general area where the clam. Nothing more.

I was looking at an Orphek 12 inch bar. The reef day. I wondered if i can dim it using Apex. I read it has a narrow lens beam.

The other option might be the Quanta Helix Reef Crest Daylight, 23 inch fixture. But I don't need the length. I do know it can dim using the apex controller.

The Orphek is cheaper, which for me is a plus right now.

Any reasons, technically the Quanta would be better for my needs?

I would get a full length bar. If you are keeping a clam, you will probably eventually want to keep SPS.

 

[heitlagerm]

For some reason I missed these posts. Thanks for your responses!

Guess what? Had done some further research and my Quanta bar came in today. Perfect for what I need. I am glad it is in line with your suggestions. Later I have room in the hood for one more, if needed.

I am already keeping some spses. But higher up, and they have been doing great. I can grow them lower down now as well. As soon as the clam releases I can stick him in the sand.

 

[minus9]

For some reason I missed these posts. Thanks for your responses!

Guess what? Had done some further research and my Quanta bar came in today. Perfect for what I need. I am glad it is in line with your suggestions. Later I have room in the hood for one more, if needed.

I am already keeping some spses. But higher up, and they have been doing great. I can grow them lower down now as well. As soon as the clam releases I can stick him in the sand.

Quanta's are awesome lights and can easily light a tank on their own. I think you mentioned you have an open or vented hood, right? Quanta's are passive, so they need access to air in order to cool, otherwise they will burn out (which goes for any passive LED bar).

 

[heitlagerm]

Yes, it is a vented hood, open on the back and 120mm vent holes in the top and sides. Also has 3, 120 mm fans inside, one blowing air up and out through top vent hole, and two mounted on the back of the diy led heatsinks blowing air on them. Has kept everything pretty cool. I can always add another one in one of the side holes if needed, but there is always moving inside the hood.

How can i tell the light is running too hot?

 

[bobnicaragua]

Yes, it is a vented hood, open on the back and 120mm vent holes in the top and sides. Also has 3, 120 mm fans inside, one blowing air up and out through top vent hole, and two mounted on the back of the diy led heatsinks blowing air on them. Has kept everything pretty cool. I can always add another one in one of the side holes if needed, but there is always moving inside the hood.

How can i tell the light is running too hot?

Nice looking tanks! You are absolutely fine as far as heat goes. I’m running Metal Halides and LEDs in my open back canopy and only use small fans to keep things cool.