Understanding RGB LED - Mythbusting

[Kolognekoral]

I was asking about their ability to penetrate the water in such small quantities.


how do you feel about their ability to penetrate the water column or rather lack of ability since they are filtered out first. Wouldnt using a small balance of radiation outside of Faux white(bleached blue) and blue LEDs be beneficial. Also, in their latest applications they seemed to be used in small numbers, thereby mitigating negative effects. I might be totally wrong but I think small scale hobbyist lighting wont penetrate well enough to show to show measurable negative effects. This is entirely a hunch so please do keep us informed on your personal observations.

OK, I follow you. As most tanks are less that 30", we will get very good penetration with red LEDs, as they are extremely powerful, especially when copmpared to the red found in the spectrum of T5 and most halides that incorporate it. I am finding with the single 4 LED red module I can get strong zooxanthellae reduction running at 50% under 50cm of water, that's almost 2 feet. Also, this is 630nm red, not higher, which pentrates even less. 660-670nm would be theoretically less effective at zoxanthellae reduction, but I really don't know if we would note the difference in our shallow tanks. Also, I've not found data to support one specific area of the red spectrum as being especially effective at zooxanthellae reduction. One would think that any light that typically does not penetrate to the level(s) our corals inhabit should be suspect and incorporated with caution. We are still learning.

I will be very interested to read reports from those incorporating the currently available R and G supplements, as this is still in the pioneer stages. The technology is ripe, but is the aquarist? As Einstein once noted; the difference between the genius and the idiot is that the genius has its limits. :headwally:

 

[Kolognekoral]

People have been using Red light over their tanks for a long time.
Such as the T5 bulbs from ATI or KZ.
When used in moderation you should not have any issue.
The nm of the Red used is also important, if you remeber with the ATI bulb it took them a few generations to get it right.

Absolutely correct! The KZ Fiji Purple is the classic example of a lighting with red wavelength bleaching effect kept under control. As I recall, they peak around 660nm. This has made the classic Zeovit look possible, as it supports the reduction of zooxanthellae plus augments colours that we otherwise would not see due to the missing wavelengths. Of course, one must keep in mind that this is not the natural condition of most of these corals. We are pushing the envelope quite a bit. Corals ARE amazingly adaptable, give a chance.

I must admit, I find the candy look not really my thing, as I prefer the richer notes one may achieve with less bleaching, but this is controlable with practice. With the advent of top of the line LED fixtures, we are given a completely new method of customising our lighting, however, this leaves much of the work-decisions to the aquarist. Always dangerous as most of us love to play the experimenting fool! I keep the skeletons of misunderstood corals on a shelf to remind me of past follies. I've learned a lot.

Jamie

 

[hobbzz]

So the addition of green and red leds in small amounts should actually add some spectrum that we would not otherwise be seeing in a typical b/w mix? Or are the current red, green, and violet leds not actually peaking in the nm range correctly associated with those colors? Are they just mixtures of other colors to give the appearance of being a true actinic etc?

Im doing about 42 leds over a 40 breeder, and was going to do 6 of those in green (2), red (2), and violet (2) to add some spectrum for the corals. But as far as whats pleasing to my eye, I would do fine without them if they are of no actual benefit to the corals.