After much searching I have yet to be able to get a solid grasp on LED intensity.
I have a 24" deep tank with 18 3W royal blue (RB) LED bulbs by bridgelux. What I am trying to determine is how "hot" or "intense is the beam from each bulb with no reflectors.
Reason for the question is i am trying to determine what intensity to run them at. Are they generating PAR and if so at what intensity? LIttle, Alot, not enough, too much?
These lights are a suppliment to 4 ATI 48" T5 bulbs. Mixed reef, 120 gallons, 2' deep, 4' wide, 2' front to back. Lighting is mounted 10" above the water.
Questions:
1) Does a RB LED, 3W, at 100% power produce too intense a light at the top of the water column for SPS? and how much light is remaining at 24" of depth? Concerned about too much light for my LPS.
2) I have found that the beam from a diode is 120 deg with no lens. ANyone know if the light is evenly distributed throughout this 120 deg cone or is there a "hot spot" directly under the LED (and if so what would the diameter be at 12" and 24".
I feel as though i am grasping for sucess in the dark right now. LED's are powerful and i am concerned about to much light.
Thank you for the information and input!!!!
I have a 24" deep tank with 18 3W royal blue (RB) LED bulbs by bridgelux. What I am trying to determine is how "hot" or "intense is the beam from each bulb with no reflectors.
Reason for the question is i am trying to determine what intensity to run them at. Are they generating PAR and if so at what intensity? LIttle, Alot, not enough, too much?
These lights are a suppliment to 4 ATI 48" T5 bulbs. Mixed reef, 120 gallons, 2' deep, 4' wide, 2' front to back. Lighting is mounted 10" above the water.
Questions:
1) Does a RB LED, 3W, at 100% power produce too intense a light at the top of the water column for SPS? and how much light is remaining at 24" of depth? Concerned about too much light for my LPS.
2) I have found that the beam from a diode is 120 deg with no lens. ANyone know if the light is evenly distributed throughout this 120 deg cone or is there a "hot spot" directly under the LED (and if so what would the diameter be at 12" and 24".
I feel as though i am grasping for sucess in the dark right now. LED's are powerful and i am concerned about to much light.
Thank you for the information and input!!!!