LED LAYOUT what colors should i use and WHY

[Greywaczera]

I have REEF BREEDER PHOTON 32's over my tank and wanted to know what color LED lights I should have in them. I have no idea what the colors do or are used for. All i know is blue lights and white. Here is my current layout

24 4500K neutral whites
4 480nm blues,
4 520nm greens
4 450nm royal blues
4 660nm reds
8 410-420nm violets
48 450nm royal blue
3 480nm blue moonlights

Should i change the Greens to Purple and the Red to Hyper Red?
and
Neutral Whites to Cool White or Warm White?

Example:
15 4500K neutral whites
9 Cool Whites or Warm Whites
4 480nm blues,
3 520nm greens
4 450nm royal blues
4 660nm Hyper reds
9 410-420nm violets
48 450nm royal blue
3 480nm blue moonlights

 

[ReachTheSky]

I think Cool White's are a better option than Warm/Neutral White's as the secondary light (behind Royal Blue) for reef tanks. Reef environments generally seem to prefer cooler spectrums of lighting (6500K and above).

Greens and Reds aren't really a necessity for growth/healthy. They're just for looks. That's pretty subjective - if you like the way they look, go for it.

 

[RFLKPTR]

I just searched up a few articles on Red/Green emitters, and found something that you may find interesting, OP. :dance:

Benefits of Red and Green Light - http://www.reefbrite.com/benefits-red-green-leds-science-or-hype/

The Color of Light - http://www.reefbrite.com/reefbrite-blog/
Now, I wouldn't call this Gospel, as he doesn't use any references, but both articles pose interesting arguments / statements.

I could be incorrect (so please correct me, anybody, if I'm wrong) but neutral white emitters are said to contain a nanometer spectrum that is more beneficial for photosynthesis than cool whites. Couldn't find any documentation on that though, so take it with a grain of oolitic sand. :sad2:

 

[PrangeWay]

Remember using "cool whites" throws off your blue:white ratio as they count as blue also.

I've seen some of the DIY recommend switching to a 3 blue: 2 cool white, instead of the usual 2 blue: 1 neutral/warm white.

Otherwise you'll end up with that sterile, washed out blue look.

 

[GroktheCube]

For my LEDs, I have on each 48" strip:
4 405nm
16 450nm
8 470nm
4 525nm
4 660nm
24 6500k

I'm happy with the way they look. Too blue to be called "cool white", but they don't look like 20ks either. Probably more like 12k-14kish.