algae turf scrubber for my biocube
- Thread starter gonzalez78
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gonzalez78
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gonzalez78
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Haha i hear Grant was thinking I'm the wrong person. He saw an old WCR member who was asking about this type of system.
zeroinverse
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Gonzalez, in short term, just try a cheap grow light standard bulb.
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Now someone correct me if I'm wrong... back in my college physics & engineering classes,
35K, 40K lights are really black body radiation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-body_radiation
This means that even though LEDs claim they have an "equivalent" 40K look, they really are not truly black-body continuous spectrum of wavelengths.
Algae require certain light wavelengths to excite the chlorophyll for photosynthesis. These are pretty "selective", but since the Sun is a continuous "blackbody radiation", algae can get exactly what they need.
LEDs, MHs, and T5's all have "notched" wavelength (not continuous like the sun). So it is acceptable to say it looks like a 35K light, but it is not really emitting a 35K light. It's just our "poor human" eyes equate it with the 35K light.
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Anyways, point is, we should figure out what are the right "excitation wavelengths" to maximize algae production, or else you'll have an LED setup that may grow less optimally.
http://www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2012/03/pur-vs-par-in-aquarium-lighting.html
======
Now someone correct me if I'm wrong... back in my college physics & engineering classes,
35K, 40K lights are really black body radiation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-body_radiation
This means that even though LEDs claim they have an "equivalent" 40K look, they really are not truly black-body continuous spectrum of wavelengths.
Algae require certain light wavelengths to excite the chlorophyll for photosynthesis. These are pretty "selective", but since the Sun is a continuous "blackbody radiation", algae can get exactly what they need.
LEDs, MHs, and T5's all have "notched" wavelength (not continuous like the sun). So it is acceptable to say it looks like a 35K light, but it is not really emitting a 35K light. It's just our "poor human" eyes equate it with the 35K light.
=======
Anyways, point is, we should figure out what are the right "excitation wavelengths" to maximize algae production, or else you'll have an LED setup that may grow less optimally.
http://www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2012/03/pur-vs-par-in-aquarium-lighting.html
Let's talk on Sunday, I can help you figure out exactly what you need. Rapid does a great job, I'd be happy to help set you up with a good DIY plan.
gonzalez78
New member
Thanks,
I might have some experience in saltwater but when it comes to lighting I'm just a novice.
Grant W
New member
Just so you know Luis. The guy you're talking about is Hector. He came to one meeting about a year ago got some corals and we never saw him again. I've never met you and after saying hello the first thing Hector started talking about was if I had any experience with turf scrubbers. So yes I did think for a moment it could be you. Pretty funny plus I am easily confused:lmao:
gonzalez78
New member
I know exactly who you are talking about Grant he told me yesterday when he came to pick up his kids since my mom was watching him. He also said he will try to make it Sunday to the meeting but was not sure if he could (I'm still trying to convince him to go)
In case you're wondering how i know Hector, well he is my older brother.
zeroinverse
New member
Good think Grant didn't stick his foot in his mouth... Hahahaha! Small world.
See you guys soon!
See you guys soon!
gonzalez78
New member
Grant, sorry if how I said it sounded mean or i offended you that was not my intention. Hope there is no hard feelings.
See you Sunday too zeroinverse.
gonzalez78
New member
Not at all luis but I was wondering about the connection. Thought your heard a bit fast. See you Sunday Hector
Yeah, i told him i wanted to make the scrubber some time back then a few days ago he told me he was going to build one also i guess that's why he asked if you had any experience with them.
You're right about wavelengths and LEDs being narrow band.
Which is why if you're primarily concerned with growing algae, which primarily use red light, you could get a range of different wavelength LEDs to cover a broad spectrum if you so saw fit:
http://www.rapidled.com/red-leds/
The various red LEDs available at that page cover the following wavelength bands: 585-595, 610-620, 620-630, 660nm wavelengths.
If you supplement that with warm white (red biased white light), then you'd be covering a wider swath of wavelengths and supplement the red primary light with all wavelengths.
You can see the spectrum output of a warm white here:
http://www.rapidled.com/cree-xp-g-warm-white-led/
Are LEDs relatively narrow spectrum? Yes, which is why experimenting and dialing in wavelength bias in an array is not easy. But, it's also been done enough that it's not hard either.
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