LEDs in a canopy

Hey everybody, I am doing some thinking about lighting my 60 gallon upgrade. I didnt get a canopy but I have now been considering buying one. I would like to know if there are any reef capable LED strips meant to fit in a canopy. what would you guys suggest as far as LEDs in a canopy. I diddnt want to spend a ton of money right now or else I would just go with some of the AI sol fixtures or a DIY kit from rapidled.com. any information would be appreciated. Thanks

I forgot to mention, the tank is 17 inches tall and I plan on keeping my sps at the top and keep my zoas, mushrooms and brains at the bottom. I want enough light for my sps but I dont want to be to much for my softies and LPS

 

You could do some of the stunner strips like Reef Culture has all over the store. They'd fit nicely in a canopy, and allow you to add more as funds allow.

Honestly though, you're better off to save up your money and do a full conversion, unless you're still wanting to keep some non-LED light source. I don't have a canopy; my heatsinks are hung from the ceiling.

 

thanks for the help. I was woundering what reef culture was using. would you suggest a 48 led kit from rapidled. if I do go that route. also where did you get your powder coating done on your heat sinks

 

Stunner strips are for shimmer only, they won't add usable light for coral. They are good for dusk/dawn. Check out these sites;
www.LEDwholesalers.com - WHITE + BLUE LED Aquarium Reef corals grow light Panel

LED Aquarium Light; AquaRay AquaBeam, GroBeam Cree XR, XG Emitter; PAR 38 & Rio Mini Sun Lights

I use Ecoxotic Modules in my canopy along with 2 T5 bulbs.

 

Standard 60 gal? 48 would do you just fine, but definitely get the dimmable kit.

They're not powdercoated; they're anodized. I went to Southwest Metal Finishing (48th/Broadway), but there are a few places around the valley that'll do that sort of thing for you.

 

Whoops. Good catch. Brain fart.

They're using the Panorama modules, not the stunner strips.

 

i use rapidled kit for my canopy which is 5' high.heatsink with leds fit perfect.everything is 3-4 inches from water surface.

 

thanks for the help guys. Is it easier to put together if I dont get the dimmable kit? it seems like they are both the same to wire except with one you have to wire it to a controller and the other one you dont.

 

honestly I would like to just go with 4 of the Ecoxotic Panorama 12W LED modules because I dont trust myself on the rapidled kit. will 4 of these modules be good for growth or are they more for supplemental lighting?

 

i would put like 5 par 38s over it in a canopy with a small computer fan on the side facing the wall, if not above it with one fan blowing air in toward the water and one also pulling heat out..or just leave an open top canopy and prolly have nothing to worry about.. i would think 5 par 38s would light up a 24x24x24 easily..maybe a 12k in the middle and 4 20ks around it..