Q How do I know how many LED lights I need for my aquarium?A Generally one of our lights covers a two by two foot area inside an aquarium. However I strongly suggest emailing Rick directly at http://reefradiance.com/which-light-is-best-for-me.html for a personal evaluation of which of our many lights is best for your particular application. Rick has over 30 years in the aquarium hobby and can help you decide how to get the very best lighting over your tank at the very best price.
Q I read that you should have 4 watts of light for every gallon of water. Is this true? A Not true. The amount of wattage is only one of many factors that will determine what your unique lighting needs. Others include PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) and PUR (Photosynthetically Useable Radiation) as well as the type of coral that you plan on growing in your aquarium - as well as water clarity and nutrient levels. in addition you have to factor in the depth of your tank- the type of coral you have and their specific lighting needs, how clear your water is, and other factors. So you could have a very high wattage LED and not provide the appropriate lighting spectrum that your fish and invertebrates need. In a very approximate sense it is generally a good idea to have a minimum of 3 watts ( using LED lighting ) for maximal coral growth and health. However - this is - once again - only one of many factors we use at Reef Radiance when determining the appropriate lighting for your tanks inhabitants. Q You seem to say that proper lighting is more important for coral than it is for fish. A Actually that is true. The reef that our fish and coral come from are generally warm and shallow and have bright light throughout most of the day. Fish do well if your lights duplicate the whiter and higher temperature - called the Kelvin rating - spectrum of the light. Coral rely upon light for the survival of zooxanthellae, the tiny photosynthetic algae that produce nutrients key to the corals survival. Zooxanthellae require lighting in the lower spectrum - around 6500 kelvin which translates to approximately 420 - 480 nanometers, for optimum health. Generally if your zooxanthellae are getting the correct spectrum of light and are healthy, your coral are healthy. All Reef Radiance LEDs are designed to provide the exact lighting spectrums to keep your fish and corals happy and healthy. Q What is the correct height to mount my Reef Radiance lights above my aquarium? A This is probably the most common question I receive. Actually the answer is very simple and very low-tech. Firstly I must say - you will be holding a light that is plugged in over your tank - so generally I suggest you have two sets of hands to do this - or place a piece of clear material on the tank rim to prevent the light from slipping from your hands and falling in the water. Place the light - which is on 100% - just above the water in the position it is going to be - with respect to right and left and front and back. Then slowly raise it up - until the light covers the parts of the tank that you want to be lit. It seems very simple - and it is - but it is the best way to determine what height covers the sides and back of your aquarium - to your liking. This will allow you to illuminate the parts of the aquarium that you want - and make it look best to you. MORE FAQs TO COME!
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