RGB LED strength? (Algae scrubber)

[Floyd R Turbo]

I get that too, that is highly localized though, and I also attribute that to low flow and high intensity, basically, a round spot directly in front of the LED.

What I'm referring to is the entire screen going from green to white, literally overnight. I've only seen it happen a few times, one was actually persistent - growth would be decent, but then one day after cleaning, whatever was still attached after cleaning would turn white.

 

[Mike31154]

I don't have a turf scrubber myself & am not advocating any particular flavour or power level of LED. Don't even have a sump, there's a wad of chaeto attached to a bracket near the surface of my display using the same lights that shine down on the tank. Just saying to use whatever works for the least investment. A compact flourescent appears to work just as well if not better, so if you have one, use it. The OP asked about the feasibiltiy of RGB vs solid coloured LEDs. I suggested an option of controllable RGB strip lights. They have all the supposedly correct spectra for algae growth. Perhaps not explosive, but it should grow. For me, looking at binned LEDs for algae growth seems like overkill. If the stuff starts dying under whatever lights you're usinge, try something else & see what happens. Or read through some threads dealing with the subject & draw on other folks' experience as suggested. Either way, it shouldn't need to be a huge investment in $$$s & research as compared to lighting up a tank full of pricey sps coral.

 

[Floyd R Turbo]

For me, looking at binned LEDs for algae growth seems like overkill.

You would think so, but in my experience, it actually does matter. Probably a few factors here though, one being binning and the actual peak wavelength that the LED is putting out, but it's also likely that intensity is a huge factor. The manufacturers that are rating their lamps based on the label of the LED and adding them up is a problem. Saying an 18-up 3W array is 54W and it only pulls 12W at the wall is completely misleading.