Using 6500k fuge LED for grow out?

[r00onmac]

I picked up a 6500k LED setup (24" long, 48x 0.5w LEDs) cheap from someone who used it for a planted freshwater tank that they took down for over my sump. The chaeto that I put in has doubled in size within a week or two and has turned a nice solid green color so I know that the spectrum is good for photosynthesis

Could I potentially stick some frags down there for "grow out" purposes? most of the stuff LFS sell here are TINY and I'm actually scared that the hermits and snails in the display would just bombard anything that is too tiny but if I let things grow out a bit in the fuge/sump area and then placed it in the display once it is a little bit bigger I am sure it would have a fighting chance.

 

[hobbzz]

I wouldn't think so, but I could be wrong. If you used a 6500k mh or t5 bulb, it would actually be full spectrum with a spike in that 6500k region. It would work, but brown out a little. But all 6500k leds will have little to no output (likely none) in any range other than 6500k. Leds have extremely narrow spectral output. You could always try it, and move them back to the display if needed. Just keep a close eye on them, take pics every day to compare.

 

[r00onmac]

I figured they might brown out but don't the photosynthetic symbionts inside the coral use the same light as a plant would? So if the chaeto grows wouldn't the coral? I could be TOTALLY a off base, that's why I am asking.

So far one vote for "probably not viable", any more votes?

 

[hobbzz]

Since you already have them I say try it and watch closely. It shouldn't hurt anything, just might not grow. I am not sure about different species of zooxanthellae.

 

[jayball]

Using 6500k fuge LED for grow out?

I wouldn't think so, but I could be wrong. If you used a 6500k mh or t5 bulb, it would actually be full spectrum with a spike in that 6500k region. It would work, but brown out a little. But all 6500k leds will have little to no output (likely none) in any range other than 6500k. Leds have extremely narrow spectral output. You could always try it, and move them back to the display if needed. Just keep a close eye on them, take pics every day to compare.

I think you are confused, the only part of the spectrum that white led are missing is the uv and cyan color. K is a color tempature, not a color.

 

[organism]

What is the wattage on the LED's? Freshwater lights aren't made for the high par that corals need... My guess is you'd end up with brown frags that just kind of sit there.

 

[r00onmac]

Stats are above: there are 48 0.5watt LEDs but they sit about an inch above the rim and the water is an inch below that... So if I made a rack out of egg crate thy could potentially sit about three inches below the lights.

When I put them over the main display it started to grow algae as deep as 8 inches or so which tells me that it penetrates pretty well

 

[organism]

Algae can grow from a light bulb, but unfortunately for corals .5 watt isn't going to cut it...

 

[r00onmac]

Not even 48 of them? lol

 

[Mebbid]

It depends, how spread out are the bulbs and are there any lenses on them?

What are the dimensions of the fixture?

 

[organism]

Not even 48 of them? lol

Not even 48 of them, feel free to ask about 48 LED's over 8 square feet in the lighting forum for second opinions.

 

[r00onmac]

Not even 48 of them, feel free to ask about 48 LED's over 8 square feet in the lighting forum for second opinions.

Over 8 square feet? The fixture is only 24" by ~4" and is over two sections of my sump where I may put frags

 

[Mebbid]

Over 8 square feet? The fixture is only 24" by ~4" and is over two sections of my sump where I may put frags

It should work for softies just fine and may work for some lps assuming they arent going to be a long way from the fixture. They will need a long acclimation to normal lighrs though.

 

[organism]

Over 8 square feet? The fixture is only 24" by ~4" and is over two sections of my sump where I may put frags

Oops, for some reason I misread 24"x48", my bad. Make a thread in the lighting forum, you need to hear a lot more opinions before doing something that might kill a lot of corals and waste you money, and that's where you'll find them.