Watt shine 180 watt led

[quicksil328]

Recently My boys and I started a separate 45 gallon frag tank using two 54 watt Nemo leds. Recently I purchased a 180 watt Wattshine LED from Amazon after reading a lot about “black Boxes.” My intention was to use the Nemo lights for lower light demanding corals and the Wattshine for higher light demanding coral. I was wondering if anyone has used this particular light, or something similar from Amazon and if so what your opinions of it are. WHat kind of growth are you getting? How high off the water do you have the lights positioned? Light intensities? Etc. My lights were approximately 12 inches off the water and it seemed like two much light. I had the blue channel at 100 percent and the white channel at about 25 percent. We aren’t getting much polyp extension/growth with the exception of the mushroom. On Monday I moved the Wattshine lights up to about 16 inches off the water to see if that helps. All water Params are good. Gotta check nitrates and phosphates again today since I just did a water change however. The tank is approximately 6-8 months old now.
Corals:
2 zoa frags
1 palythoa frag
1 Hairy mushroom
1 pagoda cup
1 Pocilllopora sos
1 Candy Cane
1 Gorgonian

Wattshine light link is below.
LED Aquarium Light Dimmable 180W Full Spectrum for Coral Reef Grow, Plants Fish Tank Aquarium Decorations Include White & Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073CPN69T/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_vCLxAbZEKH527

 

[hijinks7]

So they will grow SPS. Its enough power.

There are two big issues with them. Their lenses are pretty narrow. So you get a lot of PAR right under the units for the most part but to the outside diameters of their spread its a lot weaker on the outsides. So if you are doing a mixed reef the outsides are a great place to place low demand corals and under the lights is a great place for the higher demand

The other issue is they generally use really crap power supplies. A lot aren't UL rated so there's a very slim chance of a fire. Its slim but there.

 

[quicksil328]

So how high would you think these lights should be off the water? Also, is there a way to determine if the light is UL listed?

 

[hijinks7]

Generally 8-12 inches above the water is good. The power brick or device will have the UL logo on it. Its a UL in a circle. As for finding out, ask the seller. Its also a very very slim chance of a fire..

I had a computer power supply catch fire and it lasted about 5-7 seconds.

 

[quicksil328]

I thought about 12 inches myself but I had them at that height since just after Christmas but the lps and sps under it seemed to really retract.

 

[quicksil328]

Thanks hijinks7. I appreciate the input. Anyone else have any thoughts/opinions.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Lux meter. You can stop guessing.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LSFR0F...t=&hvlocphy=9061183&hvtargid=pla-505585159192

Devide lux by 60, gets prettt close to par. Ie. 100 par = 6000 lux.

Most 165 w lights at 12in distance , at max are about 600 par, at min 1% are about 200+.

If you turn in the light , point it at the floor , you’ll see it makes a pattern or spot on the floor.

I try to cover as much of the shape of the tank with the lights by raising it up.

I demonstrate it here.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lighting-upgrade-with-a-lux-meter-saltyfilmfolks.248417/

 

[quicksil328]

Lux meter. You can stop guessing.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LSFR0F...t=&hvlocphy=9061183&hvtargid=pla-505585159192

Devide lux by 60, gets prettt close to par. Ie. 100 par = 6000 lux.

Most 165 w lights at 12in distance , at max are about 600 par, at min 1% are about 200+.

If you turn in the light , point it at the floor , you’ll see it makes a pattern or spot on the floor.

I try to cover as much of the shape of the tank with the lights by raising it up.

I demonstrate it here.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lighting-upgrade-with-a-lux-meter-saltyfilmfolks.248417/

Thanks for the info. How high do you have the light above the tank in your test?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Thanks for the info. How high do you have the light above the tank in your test?

12-14. I forget. That was quite some time ago.
That max , didn’t really work, as much as I wanted it to.
As you can see from the pattern , it’s really for a long tank not a cube.

I have an SB Reef Light 165 B.B. in it now with some of the lenses pulled.