Reef Lighting LED Calculator

Step 1.
Enter Tank Rim Dimensions (inches)-->

Length 84.00

Width 24.00

Water Surface Area

2016 "
Water Depth/ Tank Height 12" 24"
--------

30"+

Step 2. Determine your water depth---------->

Shallow
101
1 LED/20" v (down) v

Deep
168
1 LED/12" v (down) v

Step 7.

Step 3. Start with recommended LED Qty--->

134
1 LED/15" v (down) v

Optics
700 mA Recommended
Distance from Sandbed Under 25" 25" - 29" 30" - 37" 38" - 45" 46" and over Optics Size Step 4. Choose LED types
(single vs. grouped & white color temp.)

Base LEDs (Coral Growth and Health)

Individual LEDs
Royal Blue (RB) White
v compact altenative v

80 60 40 20 Step 8. Determine Qty and size of drivers

None

Wavelength Range 450 nm - 455 nm

Cool
or

Neutral

Quantity of LEDs -------Min Max 67 89 111 33 44 55

v (down) v v (down) v v (down) v

Exotic 3 Ups

500 mA MAX. (700mA if dimmed)

* The smaller the optics in , the more concentrated the light will become. Don't fry your corals, use a dimmer!

RB/RB/WHT 3ups total

33
$383

44
$510

55
$693

Step 5. Add colors for visual appeal and personal preference

For Aesthetics and some Coral Growth

LED Color
Exotic True Violet (TV)

Quantity of LEDs

Wavelength Range 390 nm - 430 nm (Growth) TV total

Min
33 $150

cost ea.
$4.50

Max
111 $499

-------Quantity of LEDs

Supplemental Spectrum (Aesthetic)

Individual LEDs
Blue (CB) Turquoise (T) Deep Red (DR)
v Or Use these v

Wavelength Range 465 nm - 485 nm 495 nm - 505 nm 650 nm - 670 nm (Growth) CB/T/DR OCW total

Min.
13
v (down) v $92

cost ea.
$1.99 $2.50 $1.99

Max.
20
v (down) v $139

Exotic OCW

Step 6. Adjust quantities for desired clustering ratios and heatsink layout

*Disclaimer

The purpose of this Calc. is to give people an idea of where to begin with their LED builds and by no means a complete guide. This tool advises 3W LED quantities on a popular 2:1 (RB:WH) ratio, which "best mimics light at coral ocean depths" . Color ratios for the Base LEDs are flexible, however, the total quantity may not be, depending on what corals will be kept and with that in mind, LED quantities from this calculator leans toward lighting needs of SPS corals. Every tank's lighting requirements are different as are personal tastes about color. LED quantities and clustering can be tweaked from here to fine tune it to ones own needs and for further customization. The practice of clustering differing LED wavelengths together helps to blend colors together more uniformly.

Last Updated

It is good idea to buy more LEDs than you need and "under drive" them (use dimming) - they will last longer and run cooler. Always acclimate corals slowly to LED lighting (dimming, shading or fixture height) and be mindfull of coral placement in your tank. Always seek advice from experienced Nano-Reef.com members about specific goals and requirements when in doubt.

03/24/14