Solaris Led lighting systems

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Uh, last I checked, there was no way to convert Lux to PAR or the other way around. They are two seperate scales really. Being that Lux and PAR have two seperate means of measuring the blue spectrum, how could you say that one can even be compared to another?

If you read Dana Riddle's review in advanced aquarist, you can see the relative PAR readings compared to a 250watt XM 20,000K bulb... it isnt pretty.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9271973#post9271973 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefWraith
Exactly why I mentioned that above in point six of my post Obi. I'm aware of how to convert from Lux to PAR when using MH but not with LED as the light spectrum is different and therefore the calculation must be different. Given that Lux tends to underrate Blue and the Solaris certainly seems to put out far more blue light than the MH (Solaris is closer to 20K versus 14K bulbs I tested), I'm wondering if the PAR values would be even closer? This would be interesting to see indeed but unfortunately I don't have a PAR meter. I'm certainly no expert in the photon department, but I still find these Lux numbers interesting. Now, does anyone at CTARS have a PAR meter Greg?

ReefWraith
Click to expand...

The LEDS dont punch better, the MH in your reflector just has much more coverage area. That chart says "MH kick's LED's butt" and nothing more.
 
Hans1967...

Excellent... I'll be at the April meeting and hopefully be able to round up a PAR meter.

Hansmeister... unless Deitzer is wrong, the calculations between PAR and Lux can be made once you know the difference in spectral curves. I don't claim to completely understand this as it's certainly not my field. I only wanted to get some data for myself and a few other people with similar questions. Regardless of PAR numbers... these readings comparitvely speak for themselves.

RichConley... somehow I don't think you've read the chart properly or at least somehow have gleamed erroneous information as the numbers certainly don't say 'MH kicks LED's butt' to me. :D I won't waste time replying further to those that don't contribute useful information.
 
ReefWraith. Danna Riddle wrote an article on the led's but he also had a beta version.I don't know if the led's that are on the market now are brighter than the model he tested.I can't remember if he listed the par readings.I also don't have the link to his article(excuse any spelling errors).If someone can post the link.You may find it on PFO website
 
Thanks Steve! I've read quite a bit of Riddle's work but haven't found an LED article yet. If you or anyone else can find a link I would appreciate it. :cool:
 
Thanks PPHT.... my mistake as I thought Hahnmeister and others were referring to some newer article. This is the same article linked at the beginning of this monster thread. :D Upon reading it .... once again... I'm not certain just why there is so much resistance on the part of a few who claim this article shows how MH lighting clearly outperforms LED lighting. The article doesn't state this at all in my opinion. It clearly says in regards to PAR that the Solaris produces 89.4% of that produced by a 250w MH bulb. More importantly, the PUR (proportion of light that is usable to corals) values for the LED's are roughly 92% versus approximately 78% for the Metal halide lamp. This means the LED's actually produce more usable light. Why then do individuals consistently reference this article when it appears to show the output of the Solaris to be similar to that of Metal Halide. Not to mention the heat issues and PUR values. :cool: I guess some will be resistant to change regardless of the data. I'm simply looking for real answers... and not opinion. The way others have thrown around Riddle's name I expected to find an irrefutable arguement against LEDs when it appears to only be the same initial article that shows support for the current Solaris and the future of LEDs to come.

Happy Reefing all,


Reefwraith
 
ReefWraith

ReefWraith

I read up alat on this and saw some LED lighting hoods and they are very good for most applications .
For some of as that we run full SPS reef tank and need the extra PAR we go to 250W XM 10K bulb and some other very high par MH bulbs .
I do agreed LED lighting is very nice and it was very appealing to me i was going to get me a 72" unit but after i saw it with my own eyes, i can tell you it is no way near the output i like to have over my full sps tank .Now if they come up with 400W unit that is a different story.
But if i ever go to mix reef, the LED light hood will be my first choice.
 
I couldn't agree more Steve. It does indeed depend upon your inhabitants and if you lean heavily towards SPS then the extra PAR may be in your best interest. Indeed, the 400w version should be very interesting. I'm simply trying to separate fact from fiction (or in many cases opinion on this board). :D

ReefWraith
 
I think that those that seemingly refute the conclusion that the articles says it puts out more useable light don't necessarily disagree - I think the point, from their perspective, that it is being compared to a weak MH (20k) and therefore not comparable to a better par 250 MH.

People that have seen the Solaris in person and compared to MH by just their eye (even 20k XM) do see a difference in light - but the corals are getting more light than is apparent to the eye.
 
owsi... thanks, that's the same article everyone seems to be referring to but I thought there was another given all the flak. :D

Nick... you hit the nail on the head and thus the confusion and controversy on both parts.
 
So without reading this entire thread of one complaining about anothers post has anyone gotten one of these setups yet? Personally i think LED's are the way to go. I can't believe they are charging so much for them, sure it is a pretty case, but if you stuff it in your hood your aren't going to see it anyway. Can't wait for the price to come down.
 
most of the recent positive posters are owners, the complainers aren't in most cases. Think mine is great and living in Arizona this summer should be interesting. So far it gives off less room heat then the 300 watts of MH it replaced and zero Reef temp gain.
 
Wont go into detail for reason Im sure you can read on in this thread but i got the 48 and I love it so far as I ve posted previously.

Price sux, but thats the price. When the price comes down, there will probably be a better mousetrap that cost the same or more to take its place.
 
The system to me looks great.Price not so great.I am not like Rich to make others feel like they got ripped off.MH and led lights are no where near the same to compare.Its just a differant type of light.If the corals do well under this lighting system then that all that matters.You can't program MH lights like the way you can program a solaris.You are also getting multiple lighting spectrums in one unit.I would say the heat factor is whats also a seller.You can burn your corals with to much light but you can also kill everything in the tank by overheating it.I do think this system is worth it.Just the fact on electricity and not requireing a chiller is a good sell point.I am setting up another tank and I know that Mh are out of the question just to much heat.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9307135#post9307135 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snslarison
^^^^
What an Avatar!:eek1:

That made the thread worth while for me.:lol:
Click to expand...


Yea........I get that alot..:D
 
Yes biggie they are big.Where did you find her?I see she is poolside.Is that a saltwater pool?She has her own flotaion device,aswell as built in air bags.Who knows when they fall head or heels in love they tend to get a little dizzy.
 
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