How many Cree 3w LEDs for my ADA 60P?

JaneG · 07/14/2011, 09:37 PM

Hello,
First and foremost - I am sorry for all the LED questions! It sounds like I am going back and forth but I just really want to be sure that what I have will be good.

I have an ada 60-P (17.4g) tank with dimensions of 24'' long, 12'' long, and 14'' tall. My lighting situation is "unique" in that I have very little room for placing the light above my tank. At most, the fixture could be around 4'' above the tank. I am going to have clams and SPS (connected to a 20g sump for stability) so I will need quite a bit of light. The ratio I am going to use is pretty much 1 Blue to 4 Neutral White to 8 Royal Blue. I am planning on having this setup be dimmable (at least for the whites and possibly for the others). My questions are:

How many LEDs would you suggest? I was originally going to buy 24 but now that seems like a bit much - but maybe it's right for this setup? I am now thinking of maybe 12, 14, or even 18.

I am going to keep some low light corals (mostly zoas and rics) with this, so I do need some areas with low light. Would it be a good idea to concentrate the lights together in the center a little more than usual?

Would you suggest I have no optics or 80 degree optics?

Anything else I need to know?

Thanks!

JaneG · 07/15/2011, 09:04 AM

Bump...Any ideas? I am hoping to get my LED fixture up and running fairly soon.

I'm hoping it would work with ~14 because that saves me the most money but I don't want to skimp out on lighting.

nanojg · 07/15/2011, 09:36 AM

20 with no optics will work great

pompeyjohn · 10/19/2012, 01:30 PM

I have 36 on mine. It is overkill. 20 would be fine. No optics is good for blending but will let light flood into the room...

malady · 10/19/2012, 11:24 PM

i use ai nano over my 60p and it works just fine hanging 6-9inch over

I believe thats 10 cree leds so I think your 12-18 estimate is just fine

07/14/2011, 09:37 PM	#1
JaneG Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 278	How many Cree 3w LEDs for my ADA 60P? Hello, First and foremost - I am sorry for all the LED questions! It sounds like I am going back and forth but I just really want to be sure that what I have will be good. I have an ada 60-P (17.4g) tank with dimensions of 24'' long, 12'' long, and 14'' tall. My lighting situation is "unique" in that I have very little room for placing the light above my tank. At most, the fixture could be around 4'' above the tank. I am going to have clams and SPS (connected to a 20g sump for stability) so I will need quite a bit of light. The ratio I am going to use is pretty much 1 Blue to 4 Neutral White to 8 Royal Blue. I am planning on having this setup be dimmable (at least for the whites and possibly for the others). My questions are: How many LEDs would you suggest? I was originally going to buy 24 but now that seems like a bit much - but maybe it's right for this setup? I am now thinking of maybe 12, 14, or even 18. I am going to keep some low light corals (mostly zoas and rics) with this, so I do need some areas with low light. Would it be a good idea to concentrate the lights together in the center a little more than usual? Would you suggest I have no optics or 80 degree optics? Anything else I need to know? Thanks!

07/15/2011, 09:04 AM	#2
JaneG Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 278	Bump...Any ideas? I am hoping to get my LED fixture up and running fairly soon. I'm hoping it would work with ~14 because that saves me the most money but I don't want to skimp out on lighting. Last edited by JaneG; 07/15/2011 at 09:22 AM.

07/15/2011, 09:36 AM	#3
nanojg Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,227	20 with no optics will work great __________________ 90 gallon: DIY LEDs, I-tech 100, MP20, MP40 24 JBJ: DIY LEDs

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10/19/2012, 01:30 PM	#4
pompeyjohn Registered Member. Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 904	I have 36 on mine. It is overkill. 20 would be fine. No optics is good for blending but will let light flood into the room...

10/19/2012, 11:24 PM	#5
malady Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: fl Posts: 200	i use ai nano over my 60p and it works just fine hanging 6-9inch over I believe thats 10 cree leds so I think your 12-18 estimate is just fine