Corals Burning Due to Powerbrite LEDs?

[Johnny C]

Hey All,

I've noticed lately that some of my corals seem to be bleaching or "burning" out in certain spots. Ive heard of a few people saying how if you mount the Powerbrite LEDs too close to the surface it can actually burn the coral. Has anyone ever experienced this? The fact that the sides facing the LEDs are the ones affected, I'm thinking it's probably the cause (especially because I have both strips 3'' from water surface). Thoughts?

 

[acdraindrps]

Yes.

 

[backdraft79]

Yes.

Short and to the point! Good luck Jon!

 

[StashuDave]

I'll second that yes, and from personal experience!

 

[kase]

If you have them running too long or too low it will bleach the coral where it get the most led lighting.

 

[albano]

I've noticed lately that some of my corals seem to be bleaching or "burning" out in certain spots.

I'm very interested to know about this, as I am in the middle of a large build, which may use (up to) three 72" solaris LED units (that are dimmable), plus T5s. Are you using any other lighting besides LEDs. thanks, my 450g DT build is on MR http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/tank-threads/63397-hundreds-corals-fish-free.html

 

[aoc230]

I'm very interested to know about this, as I am in the middle of a large build, which may use (up to) three 72" solaris LED units (that are dimmable), plus T5s. Are you using any other lighting besides LEDs. thanks, my 450g DT build is on MR http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/tank-threads/63397-hundreds-corals-fish-free.html

I've read alot about the solaris and according to reviews they seem to be flops??? eco-lamps claims to be able to replace MH(as did solaris), but LED's to me are still in their infancy stage. I personally woldnt buy them if you have to spend close to 9 g's for three setups like your talking about. They are also out of the game so getting any warranty repairs/repairs may be an issue

good luck

 

[dan10342]

I was running my LED's at 12-14 hours a day before, because i didnt think they were overly powerful etc.

After reviewing my photoperiod, i had cut the LED to about 10-12 hours a day, and the coral responded a lot better.

 

[RandyO]

Yes, and Yes.

I do not run my powerbrite LED's while other tank lighting is on. They kick off when my T5's turn on, then they kick back on when the T5's go off.

They create hot spots on the corals and can cause some bleaching.

 

[Johnny C]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I know that they are 1W/LED, but I didn't realize how much of an effect they can have on coral. Hmm... guess I'm gonna have to mount them up higher. Thanks again.

 

[albano]

Hmm... guess I'm gonna have to mount them up higher. Thanks again.

just wondering how that worked out...mounting higher, helped? corals recovered?

I've read alot about the solaris and according to reviews they seem to be flops??? eco-lamps claims to be able to replace MH(as did solaris), but LED's to me are still in their infancy stage. I personally wouldnt buy them if you have to spend close to 9 g's for three setups like your talking about. They are also out of the game so getting any warranty repairs/repairs may be an issue

good luck

I was able to obtain NIB 72" Solaris I5 units, for very good prices... no warranty, but I'm told that repairs should be NO problem (local LED expert in NYC). 450g tank almost complete, in mean time, very happy with single Solaris unit on 170g tank, for past 5 months.

 

[Johnny C]

just wondering how that worked out...mounting higher, helped? corals recovered?

To be honest, I don't really use them anymore. When I do they only run for about an hour before/after my T5s go on.

 

[Sir Edward]

Which Power Brite Led's is in question, the 10,000k White, or the 460nm Actinic? I just installed 3 of the 460nm Actinic on my system. Right now I have them come on about an hour before the T5's and stay on till about an hour after the T5's go off. Should I scale the time back?

 

[albano]

To be honest, I don't really use them anymore. When I do they only run for about an hour before/after my T5s go on.

GEEEE, sorry to hear that, not really the answer I was hoping for. Dimmable seems to be the way to go with LEDs

 

[dan10342]

To be honest, I don't really use them anymore. When I do they only run for about an hour before/after my T5s go on.

I got rid of mine totally. with a correct t5 bulb combo... they honestly arent needed. (though they give a really cool effect when they are on at night).

also, one powerbrite ceiling mounted... or mounted far away from the tank will still make the corals pop like crazy without the fear of burn spots.

1 properly placed powerbrite strip is better than 4 poorly placed strips.

-dan

 

[toddmh]

Yes, and Yes.

I do not run my powerbrite LED's while other tank lighting is on. They kick off when my T5's turn on, then they kick back on when the T5's go off.

They create hot spots on the corals and can cause some bleaching.

wow that makes sense now..My Marineland light has two beaming led's i use at night,they look so cool..

I've been wondering why I had some sps bleaching in just a couple colonies,wile others were fine..

The ones that were bleaching are in the direct beams of the led night lights..

no more led's..I can live without them anyway :hammer:

 

[iamwrasseman]

i will check the par readings tomorrow ,how far are they away from the corals that are effected so i can do the readings at the right distance ?

 

[RandyO]

wow that makes sense now..My Marineland light has two beaming led's i use at night,they look so cool..

I've been wondering why I had some sps bleaching in just a couple colonies,wile others were fine..

The ones that were bleaching are in the direct beams of the led night lights..

no more led's..I can live without them anyway :hammer:

Todd. Which Marineland light do you have? Their new 24 hr lighting system with the halides in it have 2 1watt high output LEDs. I wouldn't leave those on all night, even though they advertise it as 24 hour lighting. They are just as powerful as powerbrites and can generate 50-80 par.

 

[toddmh]

yep thats the one I have,I will only run them for an hour from now on..wow,you get some coral saving info here unexpected some times.. :beer:

 

[reefdogg1107]

So how close is to close?? I have 2 of the Power brite 460nm strips mounted on wedges so they project across the whole tank. They are approximately 10" from the water, I don't see any bleaching at all. They run approximately 12 hours a day 1 hour before MH until 1 hour after.