LEDs and glass top

[MrTuskfish]

This came up on another thread and has me curious. (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2056163) I've converted to all LEDs (love them) and use BRS screen with them. Does anyone know how LEDs work above the old glass lids? My friend, helper, and new American Citizen!! is retro-fitting LEDs in his FOWLR and has glass; I just suspect there would be some light reduction or distortion. He knows everything , or has the intuition for all things technical. I'd like to be right just once. I was going to take one of my units to his house, but they've all been retro-fitted, or are in the process. besides, I'm too old (lazy) and folks on this forum are so helpful & know about everything......Thanks!

 

[alton]

In December when I am hoping to move up to LEDs on my 300 I will hang them over glass tops. I am not going to spend $1500 and leave them over open water and take a chance to rust in time.

 

[Recty]

I have LEDs going through 5/16" acrylic, no noticeable different in light. I'm sure the PAR values are a little different but certainly not enough to make it noticeable to the eye.

If you have the light shining exactly perpendicular to the glass, it should not have a lot of reflection away. It will either go straight down into the water, or the stuff that reflects back should hit your fixture again and get reflected down.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I have LEDs going through 5/16" acrylic, no noticeable different in light. I'm sure the PAR values are a little different but certainly not enough to make it noticeable to the eye.

If you have the light shining exactly perpendicular to the glass, it should not have a lot of reflection away. It will either go straight down into the water, or the stuff that reflects back should hit your fixture again and get reflected down.

Makes sense, thanks!

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

I wouldn't think the leds will be any different than other light going through glass. Some presumably will be absorbed or reflected. The glass on my covers is supposed to be of a type that transmits more light than standard glass and has a slight green tint. I assume most quality manufacturers use some sort of glass designed to permit more light to go through (it is probably better than my glass as my tank was built in 1994).

 

[Recty]

To be honest, I would actually think the BRS screen absorbs and deflects more light away from the tank than the glass would.

 

[andyrm66]

Par meter time

 

[snorvich]

To be honest, I would actually think the BRS screen absorbs and deflects more light away from the tank than the glass would.

Why? I have mesh top and all seems well, but I have not PAR measured.

 

[MrTuskfish]

To be honest, I would actually think the BRS screen absorbs and deflects more light away from the tank than the glass would.

I didn't measure anything, bit they look great and I sure like the screen better than eggcrate. I'm interested to see how the hobbyists with large reefs like LEDs; everything I hear so far is very positive. Price will probably drop too.