Ideas for LED supplementation

Reefer Rob · #1 10-24-2012, 03:38 PM

I had no color separation with the LEDs 16" - 18" off the water, or since I removed the optics to reduce the intensity (and moved them down to 6")... but then I don't have sand.

I agree there are some missing spectrums, especially red in my case. I get no algae in the display at all, and almost no slime on the glass. Likely this is also effecting the corals.

I'll let you know what I think after I've added a few of Milads OCW LEDs.

Aquattro · #2 10-24-2012, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefer Rob

I had no color separation with the LEDs 16" - 18" off the water, or since I removed the optics to reduce the intensity (and moved them down to 6")... but then I don't have sand.

I agree there are some missing spectrums, especially red in my case. I get no algae in the display at all, and almost no slime on the glass. Likely this is also effecting the corals.

I'll let you know what I think after I've added a few of Milads OCW LEDs.

Mine are about 6 inches OWL, and I can see separation in a few corals. Not a big deal. I have no algae either, although I never did. I have a bit of slime these days due to the mass blue clove die off, but that's my own fault.

I've asked him about those as well, I'd be interested in trying something. Not sure what thy are exactly though, haven't read that linked thread yet.

Myka · #3 10-24-2012, 04:00 PM

Brad, try raising the Sols up higher. Sols have 70 degree optics, Vegas have 80 degree, and Radions have 130 degree optics. So the Sols and Vegas have to be up higher than Radions to avoid the color separation aka The Disco Effect.

Reefer Rob · #4 10-24-2012, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

Brad, try raising the Sols up higher. Sols have 70 degree optics, Vegas have 80 degree, and Radions have 130 degree optics. So the Sols and Vegas have to be up higher than Radions to avoid the color separation aka The Disco Effect.

Sols have 70 deg optics? Yikes! 6" is way too low. I had 80 deg and didn't like the look until I was above 14"

At a lower height I found I had "hot spots". Areas on the rocks where a coral would cook, and yet a coral a few inches away would look like it wasn't getting enough light. I took placing a few corals in those spots to convince myself it was actually happening, it seem impossible.

Myka · #5 10-24-2012, 04:23 PM

AI says: "How high above the water line should I mount my AI fixture? While mounting height is ultimately dependent upon your personal preference and aesthetic appeal, we would suggest 8-12 inches above the water line as the traditional mounting height. Mounting both higher and lower than the recommended heights can still deliver great growth characteristics; use a PAR meter if you have any questions on the actual light levels your corals are seeing."

I know many people mount them higher than that even...some as high as 24", most seem to like them around 12-14" height from what I've read.

Doug · #6 10-24-2012, 04:27 PM

Brad, you think the led,s have lower your evaporation rate that much? Is that in a hood? I have not had halides on my 30g but my 20 seemed to be about the same rate with either the leds or the halide. Mind you it was only a 150w over an open top.

Aquattro · #7 10-24-2012, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug

Brad, you think the led,s have lower your evaporation rate that much? Is that in a hood? I have not had halides on my 30g but my 20 seemed to be about the same rate with either the leds or the halide. Mind you it was only a 150w over an open top.

Doug, absolutely. I used to have water pouring down my windows, now, nothing. With MH, the lock on my front door rusted right through, I had to replace it as I couldn't get the key in the door.
MH run stupidly hot, I know I've got sunburn from working in the tank for more than 20 minutes. LED give off almost no heat. I also ran fans across the canopy to remove heat, which would certainly help move moisture into the house. No more fans with the LEDs

Aquattro · #8 10-24-2012, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefer Rob

At a lower height I found I had "hot spots". Areas on the rocks where a coral would cook, and yet a coral a few inches away would look like it wasn't getting enough light. I took placing a few corals in those spots to convince myself it was actually happening, it seem impossible.

I don't find I really have that issue at all...

Reefer Rob · #9 10-24-2012, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I don't find I really have that issue at all...

Oh... Ok I thought you said some of your corrals had lost color. In my case some of my corals lost flesh

Aquattro · #10 10-24-2012, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefer Rob

Oh... Ok I thought you said some of your corrals had lost color. In my case some of my corals lost flesh

Well, more changed color. If you look at Seacare's banner that scrolls across the top here, you can see a pink with blue milli. I had it like that in my tank for months, until switching to LED. Now's it's a really nice solid blue milli.
and my efflo at the bottom of the tank is duller than it was but that could be intensity related.