SPS and LED lights?

I've been using LED's on my tank for the last 5 months and have had some huge growth.

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The tanks only 6 months old and the frags are still very small. I'll post up some growth shots later today.

nice, could you tell me what brand led fixture you are using? do you have a build thread?
 
dangerrrr, in ne picture you have the fixture hanging then another pic you have it sitting on top of the tank, is there a reason for this? how is the coverage with this light? are you getting full front to back coverage?

btw how is australia? i may be visiting your country sometime next year!
thanks.
 
dangerrrr, in ne picture you have the fixture hanging then another pic you have it sitting on top of the tank, is there a reason for this? how is the coverage with this light? are you getting full front to back coverage?

btw how is australia? i may be visiting your country sometime next year!
thanks.

Australia is great as always! :cool:

When i first got the unit it was sitting directly on top of the tank with only a 3" clearance. However the spread was too direct so i decided to hang them from the ceiling at around 10 - 12". The coverage is ALOT better but it still doesnt light the whole tank front to back. About 85% I'd say!

HTH
 
The PAR numbers to get what we have running in the 14K bulbs is not effective or should I say hard to reach with LED's for a main light source. Read the numbers, seen the actual tests and it's not going to happen... but you still need full spectrum coverage that only halides, T5's and VHO's can deliever for main light sources.
Can you share your tests please? What LEDs were used, at what current, how far from the tank, any photos? There are plenty of posts on RC that suggest the opposite of what you are saying.

The only well documented test I have seen on reef central is this:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1761942
result from test:
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All mine were taken in a 34gallon tank at 10 and 13 " of depth with a milwaukee LUX meter
A LUX meter doesn't measure PAR and you can't really compare the two units.
 
1200 par with 80 degree optics.. Really?? I'm impressed.
Here are my stats using 24~ 12CWs and 12RBs on meanwels.
The results are without optics .. I know the par value may go up with lenses but shoot I have 60 degree optics and visually see only little difference with and without the lenses. If 16 leds with 80 optics is giving 1200 par then my 60 degree lenses should add another 1/3rd to that??? So 1800 par roughy?
Don't get me wrong but I doubt it. What are you using to measure the par readings?? How did you measure it? In water or out? All mine were taken in a 34gallon tank at 10 and 13 " of depth with a milwaukee LUX meter .. Ohh and at 3" I only measured 390 par.

PAR AND TEMPS

Measurements taken 10" an 13" of depth Fixtture is 3" above the waterline.
Voltage given for each measurement of input into the ballasts.

Voltage 13" ~ 10" temp on heatsink
9.9 120 ~ 181 159degrees
8.0 106 ~ 157
7.0 99 ~ 148 139degrees
6.0 86 ~ 132
5.0 74 ~ 113 121degrees
4.0 61 ~ 100
3.0 47 ~ 80
2.0 34 ~ 48
1.0 15 ~ 22

And the results of each individual color at the same settings and depth.
RB= royal blue and CW= Cool Whites measured at only 13" depth

Voltage 13" RB ~ CW
9.9 64 ~ 57
8.0 56 ~ 52
7.0 50 ~ 49
6.0 45 ~ 44
5.0 39 ~ 39
4.0 32 ~ 32
3.0 24 ~ 26
2.0 14 ~ 17
1.0 6 ~ 8

Interesting results.

I was surprised that it was that high as well, here is a picture for you showing the reading. This is basically at the surface with the sensor just above the surface of the water, if I drop it below the surface it drops to the high 900s due to reflection.

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I have heard people say that the 80 degree optics are not much different than the bare LEDs, but that was not my experience I don't remember the exact numbers as I didn't write them down but I did a reading with no optics and when I added the optics I believe the PAR about doubled. I originally had 40s on the fixture and hung it higher, with the 40s I was getting close to 2000 about 6" from the fixture in the air (I couldn't get any closer because that was as high as the meter would go).
 
Which eBay led's are you using? I have an AI hydra on a 54 corner and need two strips on either side to light some dark spots. I am contemplating another hydra ($500) or get 2 strips. I was looking at ecoxotic panarama pro, but I am open to suggestions. I measured and need a strip no larger than 18" but no smaller than 12"
 
I have been running a radion G1 with TIR lens for over a year now and love LEDs. You do have to learn how to program them and understand that les is more. They are way more powerful then other lighting so be carful. Here is a picture I took with at65% intensity with just blue and royal blues on.
If you have any other questions please ask

Michael
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