Thread: LED Panel
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Old 03-19-2010, 10:00 PM
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+1 to Dolf. 13W is 13W and any comparisons to 195W lights is just BS marketing. Also, yes, lumens does not equal PAR. Those small LEDs look bright to the human eye but they are actually not putting out alot of lumens and almost no PAR. A white 3W LED looks brighter to the eye and generates more lumens then a blue 3W LED but they actually put out similar PAR numbers.

I would not even buy that Marine Depot one Dolf linked to. It uses 1 watt emitters with no optics so would probably only be good for LPS and lower light corals in a relatively shallow tank.

So it is complicated. But you have to remember that corals etc require the intense light of a tropical sun to grow and flourish. That is why people use high powered metal halides or T5HO and why PC lighting is not recommended for SPS. You need intense lights and with LEDs you can only get that with 3W emitters and also need to add optics to focus the light for better penetration into the tank.

The best place for LED info right now is nano-reef.com. Lots of DIY fixtures and testing has been done by the members there. Reefcentral has a bit as well. What really needs to be done is some side by side testing to really show what is required.

To get an idea of a igh quality fixture that will support growth of even the highest light demanding corals/clams look at the Aqua Illuminations ones. They are pricey and for the most part that is because the LEDs and drivers needed are more expensive as well as needing a good heatsink and cooling for the LEDs. Sadly, there are no cheap shortcuts with LED lighting right now. In 10 years you will be able to buy LED fixtures for the price of an inexpensive MH fixture but not now.
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