LED on a 30" width

[Aquattro]

Since your depth is a bit reduced, you "might" get away with 4 Sols...I would lean towards yes, but if you're wrong, you're buying more lights.

[sphelps]

Would a configuration like this using 4 sols not work?



Probably be a good starting point at least, and a fifth could be added in the center installed perpendicular to the others if more is needed.

4 sols would be more light than 2 radions for sure. If it's purely spread you're worried about optics can be changed from 40 to 70 and the units can be lifted higher but at the cost of lost intensity.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Would a configuration like this using 4 sols not work?


Probably be a good starting point at least, and a fifth could be added in the center installed perpendicular to the others if more is needed.

4 sols would be more light than 2 radions for sure. If it's purely spread you're worried about optics can be changed from 40 to 70 and the units can be lifted higher but at the cost of lost intensity.

That's my thought as well. I think this would work fine, especially if he went with the 70 optics.

[sphelps]

For around the same money you could also consider 2 48" Sunbrite F-series LED Fixtures although they are not controllable by profilux, they will cover the tank properly. Plus external controller integration was mentioned to be a future upgrade but probably no guaranty.

[mseepman]

I think the SOL's would give you great coverage and are probably the best overall price.

[Gizmoh]

Thank you all very much for the responses. I like what I am seeing. If I was to get 4 Sols and 2x24" mounting rails i could then hang the rails along the width instead of the length and achieve the design that was posted earlier and still be able to adjust them to ensure proper coverage. What sort of clearance do these units need above the heat sink for airflow as I mentioned I only have about a foot and I think 8" is ideal above water level. So with the unit being almost three inches that gives me only an inch of clearance if this is enough I'm off to the races if not, I can fiddle around a little more to get a couple more inches I think.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Gizmoh

What sort of clearance do these units need above the heat sink for airflow as I mentioned I only have about a foot and I think 8" is ideal above water level.

Mine are fitted into my canopy, which gives them about an inch of clearance. I have large holes in the top of the canopy that let heat out, although so far, there's no heat coming out.

[tang daddy]

I have 2 ai sols on a 75g which is 48x18x18, some might say it's enough but I feel the coverage front to back is about 14" so I will wait to see what multichip led is out on the market next year so that I can add 2 more fixtures on.

I think in a year or so multichip led will revolutionize the market as the blend in colours will blend much better being all on one led chip.

[fishytime]

I think four sols would be more than enough on a 20" deep tank.....unless you are planning on putting sps on the bottom of the tank against the front and back glass, than the lower light areas will be beneficial to the "less light thirsty" corals....Im in the same boat as you....my new tanks footprint is 30" x 84".... I flip flopped back and forth between the sols and the radions.....in the end the bling factor of the radions won out and Im gonna try four and pray that that is enough....I also rationalized that my tank is only 24"d so I didnt need the penetration of the sols and would be better off with the better spread of the radions....I will be doing my aqauscaping mostly down the center of the tank to allow for more swimming space and better flow......I agree that if you go with the sols, get them to order the ones with the 70 degree optics....I would start with three and go from there....

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by fishytime

I think four sols would be more than enough on a 20" deep tank....

for depth, yes, but not full coverage. I think to get it even, you'll need 2 front and back each 2 feet of length. With single sols over my "growth area", I still don't have enough back to front to cover the 18 or so inches. Trying to save can be disappointing when you plug the lights in and see that it's not enough. But he can try 3, if not enough, just order the fourth...