The system I was looking at was aquaillumination. They just posted some par data on their home page. Anyone that understand this want to translate it for us newbies? :thumbsup:
to the issue of LEDs -- AI just released PAR data on their modules (using CREE high power LEDs). MH gets blown out of the water.
their results show 1 74W LED putting out twice as much par as a 250W MH... much more uniform spread. 700+ PAR max at 19 inches away from light (through air, not water).
the MH chart shows that it has much WIDER spread (but i think we already knew that) -- the 'plate' if you will for the MH looks to be 35 x 30 inches, the 'plate' for the LED is about 25 x 25 inches.
think of those charts as a piece of paper flat on a table directly beneath a light hung 19 inches above the table. this represents the par on that sheet of paper. it's all at 19 inches so that's kind of the assumed penetration. (it makes sense to assume that the higher the par the more it would penetrate further than 19 inches; the LEDs have higher max par in these charts).
the max par number for LED is around 700, while the max for MH is only about 350.
bottom line - AI LED is much more intense but the light spread isnt as wide. so it's like an intense spotlight (LED) vs a weaker flood lamp (MH). you would need more than one unit to get the kind of 'spread' / 'coverage' / 'left to right or front to back' light as a comparable MH, but where there is light, directly below the LED unit, it will be much more intense.
Well, having just tested the Ecoxotic Panorama, I'm a little biased, I dig that fixture, but even then, it's not enough for that nem.
The DIY guys are doing awesome LED builds, but they push em a bit.
There's new stuff coming out that may work better at this time.
I would not advise getting either LED fixtues at this time expecting strong light that would accomidate sps or heavy light needy nems at depth.
Not just yet.
For mixed reef they are fine.
BTAs on rocks fine, but not what you are looking at.
The Ecoxotic unit is not in the same league as AI in terms of light intensity so I would agree with you the Ecoxotic units would not grow SPS or anemones. I dont consider them high power LEDs.
Ecoxotic uses only 1W LEDs, compared to the 3W LEDs used by AI and every good DIY build. "N-R" [figure it out] .com is sort of home base on the internet for aquarium LEDs and they've got reviews of this light and tons of information on DIY builds there if you're interested. PM me if you want a few links.
I have researched DIY LED builds extensively (in fact I purchased all of the parts to DI'M' and know how to build a fixture of my own). I'm not concerned about PAR output frankly. LEDs with the right optical lenses put out a very high amount of PAR.
however i agree with you that in my mind i am not sure they are the BEST thing for SPS and nems. the reason is not intensity, but spectrum. LEDs do not have any significant UV spectrum, which some believe help give corals their best color. i have recently seen a number of all-LED lit tanks with great SPS coloration, so perhaps this shouldnt be a concern with the latest technology.
that's the only doubt i have about LEDs though. they provide great light (these new AIs are incredibly bright, even as low as 40-50%!) and flexibility. i suppose i'm betting they do provide adequate spectrum since i bought the AI lights, but i guess i'll see for myself as time goes by and i attempt sps / nems.
