Why all the AI's for sale?

[Jakegr]

Originally Posted by tripsandfalls

In terms of growth, there are photosynthetic pigments that absorb into the visible as well (and even approaching the near IR... or well into the red), but the most common ones (the chlorophylls) absorb around the wavelengths that 'blue' and 'white' LEDs emit. http://reefbuilders.com/2010/08/23/c...nfrared-light/

Just a slight correction. Chlorophylls a and b absorb best at about 475 and 680 nm. They utilize energy from 680 nm photons more efficiently than at 475 nm as the former have an energy content closely matching the ideal level of chlorophyll excitation. In terms of growth, we are primarily concerned with chlorophylls a and b. The more colourful pigments (carotenoids) serve more of a photoprotective role and do not have a major impact on growth, at least in algae.

White LEDs as I'm sure you know are a mix of wavelengths. So you can't say a pigment absorbs best at the wavelengths white LEDs emit, since they emit a very broad spectrum.

[mark]

so I'm getting nothing specifically wrong with the AI Sols, other than maybe aesthetics re:SPS

[subman]

No nothing at all wrong with them. Growth is great and color is good.

Unfortunately it seems lately any thread started with leds in the title attracts all the people with no experience with them to feel the need to tell everyone what's wrong with all LEDs.

[Madreefer]

Originally Posted by subman

No nothing at all wrong with them. Growth is great and color is good.

Unfortunately it seems lately any thread started with leds in the title attracts all the people with no experience with them to feel the need to tell everyone what's wrong with all LEDs.

Haha my thoughts exactly. Well put. I like my Sols. Big learning curve and would buy them again.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Madreefer

Haha my thoughts exactly. Well put. I like my Sols. Big learning curve and would buy them again.

Agreed. While I tend to go on about missing my MH, these are great alternatives and I would buy them again.

[Pan]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Agreed. While I tend to go on about missing my MH, these are great alternatives and I would buy them again.

I'm coming around.....seems the shimmer is there with my pendants.... but hanging them over coke cans in a cardboard tank takes away from the experience.

anyone locally have pics of kessil a350 (its the adjustble one...tuna i think) and orpkek dif-100 (growing on me more and more....but i'd need three i think....well maybe two and the kessil....maybe a smaller one. Will allow me to do the spotlighting effect i want....Heard back from my japanese friend i'd need a lot of money to get the MH spotlights i was hoping for....

[Aquattro]

I've seen the Kessils on a tank and think they're a nice light, but not really giving a spotlight effect.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by mark

so I'm getting nothing specifically wrong with the AI Sols, other than maybe aesthetics re:SPS

No, not even that. They're fine. If you stood in front of my tank, you'd agree they do a decent job with SPS.

[tripsandfalls]

Originally Posted by Jakegr

Just a slight correction. Chlorophylls a and b absorb best at about 475 and 680 nm. They utilize energy from 680 nm photons more efficiently than at 475 nm as the former have an energy content closely matching the ideal level of chlorophyll excitation. In terms of growth, we are primarily concerned with chlorophylls a and b. The more colourful pigments (carotenoids) serve more of a photoprotective role and do not have a major impact on growth, at least in algae.

Sure re: carotenoids. I was always under the impression that they also act as accessory pigments, extending the range of wavelengths absorbed to drive photosynthesis. As far as the chlorophylls go, based on their absorption cross section, it looks like they absorb more light at lower wavelengths, so I'm not sure what you mean by the ideal level of chlorophyll excitation. Unless you mean the amount of energy transferred to catalyse oxygen evolution? In which case sure... They dump all the excess energy from the higher energy (shorter wavelength) photons off as heat (via internal conversion).

White LEDs as I'm sure you know are a mix of wavelengths. So you can't say a pigment absorbs best at the wavelengths white LEDs emit, since they emit a very broad spectrum.

Yes, of course. I was thinking yellow for some reason. Should've had a coffee pre-post.

Are you a biologist, or just an enthusiast?