led grow lights?

KodiakBear · 04-27-2007, 01:11 PM

I have been looking into the options with LED grow lights that are already popular with many... um... let's call them "indoor botanists." I found a company advertising an aquarium LED fixture (the ABP5)
I e-mailed them and they sent me some technical data on the fixture:

"For the serious aquarist, the Aqua-Bar provides excellent primary and supplemental grow lighting for all types of aquatic plants, algae, corals, and photosynthesizing bacteria. Cool operation prevents unwanted heating of aquariums. The Aqua-Bar provides an excellent addition to existing fluorescent lighting fixtures.

When asked, they told me that the light emits several different wavelengths clinically proven to provide optimal growth. However, it also says, "low light pollution minimizes interference with aquarium 'view lighting'." does 'low light pollution' translate to low intensity light? unsuitable for corals demanding high light conditions? Their website mentions "No 'White Light' Glare- Other plant grow lights use technologies generally used to light rooms and buildings, which makes them very bright to the human eye. The LED Grow-Master Grow Light delivers light that is very bright to plants, but relatively dim to people. Your plants get what they need without the 'white light' glare you don't want, making our grow lights welcome in your kitchen and living room, instead of your basement."

Since the terms Kelvin and Lumen do not apply to these LED fixtures (a fact of which SEVERAL LED manufacturers have assured me of), how can I determine if these lights provide optimal conditions for corals, AND NOT cyano bacteria? Or how much light is lost from surface to sand?
At $305 with never having to replace a bulb, it seems like a great thing (much more affordable then some other SW LED fixtures). They even come with kits to install them in most standard PC fixtures. I'm just leary of getting this and having cyano take over in a week! Any opinions?

BigAl07 · 04-27-2007, 04:03 PM

I think we are going to let you order one and be our test guinea pig *G*

Hope you get some GOOD remarks because it has LOTS of potential!

Allen

DaBird · 04-27-2007, 04:15 PM

The only thing that I've heard is that they are like pinpoint spots and so you need to figure a way to disperse the light, I've been thinking of getting some of these but my MH's are still new...Let us know if you go this route ....

2455coop · 04-27-2007, 10:13 PM

A similar light from Champion Lighting

Champion Lighting & Supply :: Lighting :: Solaris LED :: 24" 13KSolaris LED Illumination System.

cost about 1,241.99 and is said to be 13,000K.
I have had good luck purchasing stuff from this store, but my wife wouldnt let me buy this light... I only had enough attaboys for a 48" VHO with 2 bulbs

KodiakBear · 04-27-2007, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2455coop

A similar light from Champion Lighting

Champion Lighting & Supply :: Lighting :: Solaris LED :: 24" 13KSolaris LED Illumination System.

cost about 1,241.99 and is said to be 13,000K.
I have had good luck purchasing stuff from this store, but my wife wouldnt let me buy this light... I only had enough attaboys for a 48" VHO with 2 bulbs

I looked into the solaris a while back. Way too rich for my blood!

KodiakBear · 04-28-2007, 07:22 AM

Still e-mailing with the manufacturer. Today he sent me this:

"The blue color is in the 470nm range although
as you may know, LEDs vary in their bandwidth bell curve and we have
carefully chosen our blue specifically for plant growth.
If you would be kind enough to send me information on existing coral
lighting systems, we could tease out the active colors and make the LED
lights for you. The advantages of LEDs for specialized lighting are many,
and I think the most exciting potential is to create the specific color
required by the subject and not waste energy on unnecessary wavelengths."

Anyone know what the IDEAL wavelengths are? All my research into reef lighting always has a Kelvin rating, not the wavelength. What is the right wavelength for photosynthesis to occur in corals?

zimboy · 04-28-2007, 07:35 AM

You could always give solaris a call and tease some info out of them concerning their wavelengths.

DaveK · 04-28-2007, 08:24 AM

I did notice that their product does seem to be geared toward plant growth. I could see it doing wonders in a FW planted tank.

I also noticed that the pictures of the plant lighting, it seemed to produce a light similar to what we'd expect from 6500K MH bulbs in that it seemd to lean toward the reds and yellows.

Still at a price of only $305, it's a bargain. (Yes I did see the smaller unit, but the price difference would make me choose the larger unit)

KodiakBear · 04-28-2007, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimboy

You could always give solaris a call and tease some info out of them concerning their wavelengths.

No need to call. Just look at this: Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine - Product Review: A New Horizon in Lighting: PFO's Solaris LED System I think this site answered all my questions.

ycg675 · 01-06-2008, 01:16 AM

is this still an active thread? I looked into the same lights from what I think is the same manufacturer and I had the same questions. What was the outcome, can they make lights that will suit a reef aquarium? Are the lights going to be intense enough? Does anyone have any further information about this line of thought?

04-27-2007, 01:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
KodiakBear Plate Coral Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Woodbine, GA Posts: 795 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	led grow lights? I have been looking into the options with LED grow lights that are already popular with many... um... let's call them "indoor botanists." I found a company advertising an aquarium LED fixture (the ABP5) I e-mailed them and they sent me some technical data on the fixture: "For the serious aquarist, the Aqua-Bar provides excellent primary and supplemental grow lighting for all types of aquatic plants, algae, corals, and photosynthesizing bacteria. Cool operation prevents unwanted heating of aquariums. The Aqua-Bar provides an excellent addition to existing fluorescent lighting fixtures. When asked, they told me that the light emits several different wavelengths clinically proven to provide optimal growth. However, it also says, "low light pollution minimizes interference with aquarium 'view lighting'." does 'low light pollution' translate to low intensity light? unsuitable for corals demanding high light conditions? Their website mentions "No 'White Light' Glare- Other plant grow lights use technologies generally used to light rooms and buildings, which makes them very bright to the human eye. The LED Grow-Master Grow Light delivers light that is very bright to plants, but relatively dim to people. Your plants get what they need without the 'white light' glare you don't want, making our grow lights welcome in your kitchen and living room, instead of your basement." Since the terms Kelvin and Lumen do not apply to these LED fixtures (a fact of which SEVERAL LED manufacturers have assured me of), how can I determine if these lights provide optimal conditions for corals, AND NOT cyano bacteria? Or how much light is lost from surface to sand? At $305 with never having to replace a bulb, it seems like a great thing (much more affordable then some other SW LED fixtures). They even come with kits to install them in most standard PC fixtures. I'm just leary of getting this and having cyano take over in a week! Any opinions? __________________ Isaiah 6:8 I once prayed God would grant me patience. The next day I was starting a reef aquarium. My Confession

04-27-2007, 04:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 12,799 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: led grow lights? I think we are going to let you order one and be our test guinea pig G Hope you get some GOOD remarks because it has LOTS of potential! Allen __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. >((((º> Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Allen's home-made formula...(-NO3=WC%) This means if you change 50% of your total water volume (That's EVERYTHING) you'll get a net reduction of (NO3) somewhere around 50%. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!! Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Now in STORAGE and Dry-Docked BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef

04-27-2007, 04:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
DaBird Smart Alec with feathers Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Spring Branch, Texas Posts: 1,042 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: led grow lights? The only thing that I've heard is that they are like pinpoint spots and so you need to figure a way to disperse the light, I've been thinking of getting some of these but my MH's are still new...Let us know if you go this route .... __________________ "When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging..." Will Rogers 75 gal Oceanic started in 2001 30 gal fuge/sump 125 lb. LR, 100 lb. LS 2x 250w Reflux MH 12,000k pendants Remora pro skimmer W/1200 mag. Hydor Korlia #4, 6 assorted PHs. 1 pair of Ocellaris, Powder Blue Tang, Yellow Tang, Regal Tang, Scooter, Lawnmower, Red Mandarin, Flame Angel, 2 chromis, Copperband, 1 Emerald, 2 Blue legs, 1 Zebra hermit... Acros,Rainbow Monti, Leathers, Zoos, Zoos and more Zoos, Shrooms...

04-27-2007, 10:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
2455coop Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Amarillo,Texas Posts: 266 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: led grow lights? A similar light from Champion Lighting Champion Lighting & Supply :: Lighting :: Solaris LED :: 24" 13KSolaris LED Illumination System. cost about 1,241.99 and is said to be 13,000K. I have had good luck purchasing stuff from this store, but my wife wouldnt let me buy this light... I only had enough attaboys for a 48" VHO with 2 bulbs __________________ Bill 75 gal D.A.S. 15 gal refugium

04-28-2007, 07:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
KodiakBear Plate Coral Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Woodbine, GA Posts: 795 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: led grow lights? Still e-mailing with the manufacturer. Today he sent me this: "The blue color is in the 470nm range although as you may know, LEDs vary in their bandwidth bell curve and we have carefully chosen our blue specifically for plant growth. If you would be kind enough to send me information on existing coral lighting systems, we could tease out the active colors and make the LED lights for you. The advantages of LEDs for specialized lighting are many, and I think the most exciting potential is to create the specific color required by the subject and not waste energy on unnecessary wavelengths." Anyone know what the IDEAL wavelengths are? All my research into reef lighting always has a Kelvin rating, not the wavelength. What is the right wavelength for photosynthesis to occur in corals? __________________ Isaiah 6:8 I once prayed God would grant me patience. The next day I was starting a reef aquarium. My Confession

04-28-2007, 07:35 AM	#7 (permalink)
zimboy Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 296 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: led grow lights? You could always give solaris a call and tease some info out of them concerning their wavelengths.

04-28-2007, 08:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
DaveK Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Philadelpahia, PA Posts: 653 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: led grow lights? I did notice that their product does seem to be geared toward plant growth. I could see it doing wonders in a FW planted tank. I also noticed that the pictures of the plant lighting, it seemed to produce a light similar to what we'd expect from 6500K MH bulbs in that it seemd to lean toward the reds and yellows. Still at a price of only $305, it's a bargain. (Yes I did see the smaller unit, but the price difference would make me choose the larger unit)

01-06-2008, 01:16 AM	#10 (permalink)
ycg675 Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: miami Posts: 2 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: led grow lights? is this still an active thread? I looked into the same lights from what I think is the same manufacturer and I had the same questions. What was the outcome, can they make lights that will suit a reef aquarium? Are the lights going to be intense enough? Does anyone have any further information about this line of thought?

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