The 400's are bright but I don't think they are stadium bright. They have 12k bulbs too so it's more blueish for the blue/yellow heavy Africans....and they are 2' off the water. A lower k rating would seem brighter. The 150w MH you replaced were they se or de bulbs? Sitting right on top (or close to) the glass covers? What k were they? Thanks.
LED lighting - what are my options?
- Thread starter jcardona1
- Start date
Stadium just refers to how bright they light up the tank, generally with uniform lighting from one side to the other. Has nothing to do with actual stadium lights. 
Generally, when using the LED floodlights, you have areas that are left in shadow. This gives a very natural effect similar to an overhanging branch/log in a natural setting.
Generally, when using the LED floodlights, you have areas that are left in shadow. This gives a very natural effect similar to an overhanging branch/log in a natural setting.
I was using the term stadium as being real bright...not for the coverage. I would like it mostly covered...with my MH and only have two the ends are a little dimmer but the reflectors i use spread the light out pretty far at 2' off the water. Thats why I was thinking higher wattage leds further off the water. I will just have to try the 20 or 30w and see how it looks before I buy them all.
The bulbs were HQI double ended 10k. The tank is a 220 6' long by 30" tall,I was using three 150w about 2" from the water; three 30w the same distance is about 25-35% dimmer then the MH's. If you want to maintian the same light level you will not be happy with the 20 or 30w leds espically at that distance. Hanging them that high should give good coverage, but you do lose a lot of intensity for deep water penetration.
I did not have time to read this entire thread, but has any body tried Reef Brite LEDS's on their tank? I was looking at them over the weekend at an reef oriented LFS. They seem like great lights with good output, the price is not too bad either.
Thanks for the info...that makes a difference...HQI style bulbs are already brighter than my SE style bulbs...and your 10k is brighter than my 12k to the human eye. I am guessing the 220 is also 24" front to back? With the LED that close to the water...do they cover the 24" front to back well...hard to tell in front pics/vids. The fish when close to the tank tend to be at the front top area begging for food...wondering if they would be in the shadows with the light that close. Do you also think its safe to say...since your tank is 30" tall and mine is 24" tall...I could mount the LEDs 8" total (your 2" above the water plus the 6" tank height difference) from the water and still get the same intensity you have?
I will be ordering some to play with on my tank...thanks for all the info!
yeah my tank is 24" front to back. The 30w are pretty wide (compared to the 10w's), the way I mounted them I get good light coverage but at the very top in the front there is some shadow. Mounting them 8" high should solve that. The thing with these lights is, unless you know someone with them that you can visit, you have to buy a few and see how they look. I still think you'll need a 50w unless you are going for a natural looking light level. Keep us posted.
Thanks again for the info....how do you have yours mounted? I will update here when I get something. Right now I am thinking 4 30w 8" or so off the water. I think I am going to order 1 to try out...I can always use it on another tank if its not what I want.
Buying it and trying it is the best way. I was set on replacing the lights in all of my tanks so that worked well for me. I have the 30w's hanging from a chain inside the cabinet. For the 10w's I built small light canopies and mounted them inside. They are not as bright as the picture looks that's just my phone over exposing, they are also hanging the same height, I do have them tilted a little to the front to discourage algea from growing on the back wall. BTW love the festae!
