30g long LED setup

[Silock]

I'm sick of my cheapie T5HO setup. The bulbs and reflectors just aren't very good, and they'd be a giant pain to replace (mainly the reflectors).

So, I'm contemplating doing an LED setup, but I refuse to spend $250 for the crazy Marineland 36" strips. That's just not in my budget.

$150 -- maybe, but I'd like to do it cheaper than that, if possible.

The Ray2 setup looks like it puts out a lot of light, and I'm looking for light at the substrate to be nearing "high light" PAR values (under 80 is okay, but 45 would be too low, I think). Looking for good coloration out of my L. aromatica and L. glandulosa.

Would that be my best option, in terms of simplicity, or should I look at something like a RapidLED setup? If so, how many LEDs would I need to get the PAR values I'm looking for? I'm assuming that I'll be using something like CREE 1w LEDs.

[l8nite]

How deep is your tank? I had a 24" Finnex Ray2 DS on my 29G (~16" to substrate) and I measured approximately 65 PAR at the substrate with the light right on top of the tank.

Those things are built like tanks too. I must have dropped it from the top of the tank onto my tile floors 6 times or so, and it never skipped a beat.

[Hoppy]

Originally Posted by l8nite

How deep is your tank? I had a 24" Finnex Ray2 DS on my 29G (~16" to substrate) and I measured approximately 65 PAR at the substrate with the light right on top of the tank.

Those things are built like tanks too. I must have dropped it from the top of the tank onto my tile floors 6 times or so, and it never skipped a beat.

Doesn't Finnex recommend only dropping it less than 4 times?

I tested one at our local aquatic plant club and was pleasantly surprised that the PAR numbers I got agreed with their data on http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=189944 It is an impressive light.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by l8nite

How deep is your tank? I had a 24" Finnex Ray2 DS on my 29G (~16" to substrate) and I measured approximately 65 PAR at the substrate with the light right on top of the tank.

Those things are built like tanks too. I must have dropped it from the top of the tank onto my tile floors 6 times or so, and it never skipped a beat.

It's a 30breeder, so 18 inches deep or so. About 16 to the substrate.

Do you think 65 PAR will be enough to really bring out the reds in my plants?

I was contemplating getting a couple of those LED floodlights instead. Perhaps 2 20w and put them about 8 inches over the tank.

[Lia]

Originally Posted by l8nite

How deep is your tank? I had a 24" Finnex Ray2 DS on my 29G (~16" to substrate) and I measured approximately 65 PAR at the substrate with the light right on top of the tank.

Those things are built like tanks too. I must have dropped it from the top of the tank onto my tile floors 6 times or so, and it never skipped a beat.

I use spot lights on my 30 gallon and they work great but prefer a nicer sleeker look over the tank.
I saw the Finnex Ray on Amazon for only $100 and didn't pay attention to it as thought to inexpensive this was very informative, thanks.