LEDs and Corals

[B3ach]

I have a question concerning LEDs and corals. Back when I had my 10g set up, my corals didn't do so hot under my LEDs. It could have been some water issues but I think lighting had some affect on it. I had a bleached out monti and a browned out mille. The pearlberry looked alright and the Cali tort was iffy.
My fixture was 8 xpe royal blues and 4 xpg neutral whites ran on 1000mA buckpucks.

I know that all other types of lighting go by watts. Like some SPS need 70w halides or 150w and so on. So what do LEDs go by? mA? What would be the ideal mA for SPS, LPS, clams, and softies?

 

[NatureNerd]

I think Watts at each color is a good measure.

 

[B3ach]

I guess I'm basically asking is how high should I run these things? 1000mA being 100%, should I go 30%? 40? Higher?
What do you LED people run yours at?

 

[nickjj]

I think more importantly is what par and pur as well as spectrum you are providing your coral. LEDs can be run at 2w per diode like in the Orphek fixture I am using and some could be run at 5W. There are many factors to consider with a LED for example if optics are used , the spectrum of the diode and how many in the fixture.

LED's are more efficient and don't waste electricity as heat as much as conventional MH/T5 bulbs so they should consume less power or watts. I personally don't think there is any relationship between the wattage you run a diode and the quality or intensity of light it produces that a coral requires.

A par meter is your best guide for any coral requirement and lighting decision.