How Many LEDs

So I am looking at doing a DIY LED setup for my tank. It is a 30g 36x12x16tall. I am not sure what size kit to order. I am looking at doing a mixed reef style tank with inverts, LPS, and eventually SPS. I was thinking a 36 LED dimmable kit, but was wondering if 24 would work. Either way I will probably do 2 heat sinks. Also, ratio of white to blues and and degree of optics?

 

If i where you i would just go with the 36 you can always dim the lights down if you have to but with the 24 you can crank it up more. It just makes more sense to go with the 36 more power, more light, more growth

 

+1 on the 36 leds

As far as the optics it depends on how high you will be able to mount them above the tank ??

And ratio of colors really depends on your personal preference check out the link below

LED My TANK! « « ReefLEDLights | LED Aquarium Lighting ReefLEDLights | LED Aquarium Lighting

 

You'll want 36, dimmable.

Just go with the Rapid kit, which will be a 1:1 ratio of whites:blues. You can always adjust it (via dimming) to the color blend of your liking.

No need to do 2 heatsinks, unless you have a center brace on the tank. A single 6x30 heatsink (or 4x30 if you'd rather) would be just fine. Check out heatsinkusa.com

Lastly, 80deg optics would suit you well, unless you plan on mounting them near the water surface, say around 5" or so. In that case, I'd run without any optics.

 

So new question. Since I have a center brace, I need to have 2 heat sinks. If I do a 36 LED kit with 18 per heat sink, how long would the 2 sinks have to be to get full coverage on the tank. Would 14" centered in each of the 2 sections created by the center brace be enough?

 

Probably, but I might do 15-16" on each one just to be sure.

 

kind of what I was thinking, I just don't want to get that "shadow" in the center from the brace cutting the edge of the light. I guess if I hang them low enough it shouldn't be an issue right?

 

Higher, actually. The lower you go, the more likely you'll get a dead spot. If you go higher, some diodes will shadow, but it's nearby neighbors will blend it out better.

It's a bit of a balancing game.