LED Possilbe in canopy for FOWLR

Hello All,

I am still rather new and planning and learning. I am looking to build a 200 gallon tank (220cm x 60cm x 60 cm) main FOWLR tank. My wife does not like the light hanging from the ceiling and wants it integrated into the top.

I was at the LFS today (Switzerland) and they told me that I really must have the light suspended above tank for enough light to be available as in a canopy they cannot install suffiicient bulbs (not even considering LED) and then we have a heat problem as well.

When I asked about LED, they said the 5th generation of LED (I guess that means current generation) is sufficient for growing corals and has good enough light quality. However, it costs thousands. They had a 3 foot LED suspended with controller and they said that was about 2300 USD.

Now I am only considering FOWLR currently but I would want nice lights to be able to really enjoy the fish and I wanted LED to avoid heat. My questions are:

1. Can LED be put into the top of a closed tank and supply sufficient light for FOWLR or even a true reef tank?

2. How much would that realistically cost if bought in the US (either complete kit and then wired and soldered by myself)?

Thanks

 

I would look into rapid LEDs or Steve's LEDs. Both offer great retrofit kits for all size tanks and setups. I just finished my fixture from Steve's LEDs and it looks great. I would recommend getting a controller though. The dimmer knobs aren't enough for me. These kits have the ability to go into a canopy but you have to use a splash shield. Rapid sells heat sinks that have an optional splash shield.

A setup for your size tank would cost starting around $625 before shipping. And a controller can be as little as $80 from steves on up to a few hundred.

Hope this helps some

 

#1 - Yes. I had a 4', 20x3W LED fixture lighting my 55 that was in a canopy for the last year (just took the tank down to upgrade). The back side of it was open though. If the canopy is completely encloses, I can see that being an issue.

#2 - Depends on if you want to house SPS or not You could do 4 of the Value fixtures from Reef Breeders which would run you around $750. Plenty of other options too, but that is just an easy one to point out.

 

You dont need nearly as much light for a FOWLR as you do for a reef. Dont let anyone talk you into the latest and greatest in led fixtures. I have 240 watts of leds on my 125 reef, and 14 watts on my 300 gallon FOWLR. I like that tank a little dim, but you get the point.