Aqua Illuminations LED PAR Readings - Too Low?

[sgrosenb]

Hey guys,

I recently switched over to the AI LED SOL Blue's, and I took a PAR measurement. I know that everyone was saying to lower the intesity to about 50%, but when I measured my PAR at about halfway down my tank (It's a 24" tall tank) with all the lights at 75%, it only measured the PAR at 225. The lights are about 12" from the surface of the water.

This is about in line with what my MH's measured in terms of PAR - I had 3x 250 MH Radium 20k's on there.

Any comments as to whether or not you think these PAR measurements are a bit low? It seems like they are to me, but I don't want to cook my corals starting the LED's at 75%.

Thanks,

 

[AcroporAddict]

Par meters misread LED PAR values lower by a certain percentage. Saw this mentioned in the 80 page thread here in this forum.

 

[snorvich]

Yes and the blue and royal blue LED are not properly read by PAR meters.

 

[bunzaroo]

I just ordered three of them and was curious as well. I read in one of the threads that it could be as much as 20%. Too be on the safe side maybe you should factor in a 20% increase to your measurements and use that baseline in order to acclimate??