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Innovative Marine Aquariums

5 Gallon Zoanthid LED project


MGP

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I am starting a 5 gallon zoanthid tank and I was thinking about some lighting. I want to keep it simple so my list is as follows

 

2x Moonlight driver (350Ma)

 

4X Cree XT-e Royal blue

2X Cree XP-G neutral white

 

I want to run them at lower amps to keep heat down and to have moonlight effect with the one driver off. Also the lights will probably be about 5 inches from the water surface

 

I would run 4 LEDs (2 RB and 2 NW) on one driver and 2RB on the other driver

 

I was looking for a heatsink but haven't found anything yet

 

Any suggestions on colors or ratio? overall thoughts? Could I incorporate violet in this?

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2 royals at 350mA is way too bright for moonlights on a tank that small.

 

The number of LEDs isn't bad for day-lighting, but I would change one royal out for a 470nm blue. It will offer much better overall color as a result.

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Well moonlighting in this instance will turn off around 11pm, so more of a late evening/early morning lighting.. probably going to run them from 10am to 11pm. With all of the lights on from 12pm to 8 or 9pm.

 

My idea for this tank it to get really good color from the zoanthids with the blue lights, but also help growth with the neutral whites coming on for 8 hours.

 

Would your choice for whites be cool, neutral or the warm?

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Got the hardware and rigged it all together. I like the colors but I probably should have only used one NW to get a "bluer" light.

 

I'm going to construct the housing tomorrow and then hang it up

 

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Ok! Everything is finally done. I must say I am very pleased with the result. The light has a blue/purple tint which I think looks great for a desk Zoanthid tank.

 

Keep in mind the tank doesn't have any corals yet, I am still waiting for a pump to replace the HOB filter, so these pictures are only for the lights

 

(1) light fixture

(2) Moon lights

(3) Full Lights

 

I plan on running the moon lights from 9am to 11pm

Full lights will be on 12pm to 8pm

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