Photosynthetic Efficiencies of LEDs Article

[bigzman]

Great Article http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2014/5/aafeature

looking forward to the long term data. I am very happy with the choice I made in LED layout.

 

[aguila88psi]

Its nice to see LED's come a long way, also very nice to see the company that I work for products in use

 

[janes_mw]

I had to read a few times to grasp alot of it. Some interesting findings for sure. Makes me rethink UV for sure!

 

[CrazyEyes]

Awesome!

 

[Snookster]

great read

 

[bigzman]

It was a great article. I most give credit to FAOIS for posting on there page. Can't wait for long term data. More so the part of UV / Black light usage. Hopefully the LED industry can come up with good sub 400nm options.

 

[sellmecorals]

There was also an article on AA saying that red wavelength has shown a negative impact on coral growth because zooxanthellae use the red spectrum as a gauge to determine when to stop synthesizing tissue, thus too much red was not good.. so I took out my red chips on my LED fixture.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/red-light-negatively-affects-health-of-stony-coral

But this article is saying that red has the most positive impact on growth.

Would white bulbs from 10-20,000K have enough red in their spectrum to suffice?

 

[janes_mw]

I am going to supplement with blacklight t5 ho. It will be controlled and monitored closely. I will keep folks posted

 

[bigzman]

Mike, thanks for testing. What black lights t5 ho bulbs are you going to use?

 

[janes_mw]

I could only find one at Norman Lamps. It didn't give it's total spectrum but only it's main at 350nm.

Mike, thanks for testing. What black lights t5 ho bulbs are you going to use?

 

[AJ69]

I am going to supplement with blacklight t5 ho. It will be controlled and monitored closely. I will keep folks posted

Are you planning to run it just at night or combined with your photo period?

 

[janes_mw]

With my photoperiod

 

[Webmanny]

Great Article http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2014/5/aafeature

looking forward to the long term data. I am very happy with the choice I made in LED layout.

Nice post. I am a LED user and I love their color and low heat abilities, but I am always wondering if they will work long term.

 

[TampaSnooker]

There was also an article on AA saying that red wavelength has shown a negative impact on coral growth because zooxanthellae use the red spectrum as a gauge to determine when to stop synthesizing tissue, thus too much red was not good.. so I took out my red chips on my LED fixture.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/red-light-negatively-affects-health-of-stony-coral

But this article is saying that red has the most positive impact on growth.

Would white bulbs from 10-20,000K have enough red in their spectrum to suffice?

This is my recollection as well. The new data is short term exposure - 2 hours if I remember. That wouldn't give the zooxanthellae time to run their full daily cycle. Perhaps there is an initial stimulus that turns into a shutoff mechanism for the zoox.

 

[Ted_C]

Red is always useful for photosynthesis (think grow lights - they have lots of red to infrared in their spectrum) - whether its normal plants or algae or photosynthesis in corals. The intensity of the red is what you need to be concerned with when using them over corals. too much intensity for too long a time will cause them to go into that "protective xanthophyll cycle" mentioned in the comments of the article.

 

[janes_mw]

Red is always useful for photosynthesis (think grow lights - they have lots of red to infrared in their spectrum) - whether its normal plants or algae or photosynthesis in corals. The intensity of the red is what you need to be concerned with when using them over corals. too much intensity for too long a time will cause them to go into that "protective xanthophyll cycle" mentioned in the comments of the article.

I am going to experiment with both ends of the spectrum. I have a couple more 660nm (Red) LED's ordered to try in my unit. Also the Black light (350-400nm) will be looked at as well (T5 HO 56watt). The article pointed to both spectrums so.... I will experiment in both areas but only with one at a time. I also am going to get some different whites to try .... but again, I am going to add only one thing at a time.

I am a long time MH/T5 user so I have that experience to compare with. This is a new build, so I first need to get through the first 6-8 weeks to get biology stable (ULNS system). My camera skills SUCK so, that is something I will need to work on :fun5: