LED fixtures and PAR ratings

[jx4hansen]

Hello everyone this is my first post. I have been researching reef tanks for over 3 years and now ready to buy lighting.

I recently got to see the PACIFIC SUN unit at Barrier Reef Aquariums in Renton, Wa. and was very impressed.

I would like to know not only everyone's opinions but would like to get some actual PAR reading for the recommended led lights.

I have a 75 gallon 48x18x20 so I do not have to go all that deep. I plan on having a little of everything in the tank and want a clam.

So far I have my list in this order--

1. Pacific Sun
http://pacificsunusa.com
2. Aqua Illumination
http://www.aquaillumination.com
3. MaxSpect
http://delightings.com/index.cfm?GPID=30
5. Ecoxotic - Panorama
http://www.ecoxotic.com
4. TMC Aqua Ray
http://americanaquariumproducts.com/LEDLights.html


I am for sure going to purchase LED, just not sure which....

 

[Myteemouse]

My buddy has a pac sun deal and he's growing SPS if this helps at all.

 

[thatguy559]

the ecoxotic was the brand i was looking for. The tech guy told me for a 48"x24"x24" i would need 2 of the 12k fixtures. so thats what im going to start out with then work my way up to maybe 4 eventually. but i would like to know if there are par meter readings on these as well.



edit: i thought it was the cannon led series. http://www.ecoxotic.com/products/modular-led-lighting/cannon-led-pendants.html

 

[gothunder3022]

Do some searching on Dr. Sanjay Joshi and the fixture you're interested in, he may have done an evaluation of it. He's done several of the current LED fixtures.

 

[NC2WA]

gothunder,

got a link ???

 

[ntswift]

here's a link to one of them.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/5/aafeature2

 

[jx4hansen]

Wow thanks for the link....Aqua Illumination blows all of those tested away with PAR values but is very focused light.

It definitely pushed the ecoxotic to the bottom of the list.

Technology Lamp & Reflector Power Consumption Peak PPFD Values

Aquaillumination
(12" module) 24 LEDs (16W, 8B) 75W AT 18" Not tested AT 24" 364.9 AT 30" 255

KR-91
(30" module) 288W, 132B LEDs 124W AT 18" 66.8 AT 24" 42.8 AT 30" Not tested

Bluemoon Aquatics
(90W model) 90 LEDs (60W, 30B) 93W AT 18" 68 AT 24" 39.9 AT 30" Not tested

Ecoxotic Panorama
(17.5") 4 modules (32W, 16B) 49W AT 18" 68.2 AT 24" 47.4 AT 30" Not tested

 

[Xtremedave67]

sitting on this one for my LED purchase someday

 

[moto826]

i have the maxpect and like it every thing looks good

 

[jx4hansen]

I found some info posted on another forum for the 120w Pac sun. This is promising as pac sun makes higher power units. So far Pac Sun is first on my list.


Pacific Sun Modular Lamp 120W

$748.87

Pacific Sun Aquarium Modular Lamp
The PS Modular LED lamp has a color temperature about 14.000 or 16.000 Kelvin and a high percentage of the light output is at the blue end of the spectrum. Our lamp was the first LED Lamp to simulate the light conditions of a coral reef and the new lamp with an improved technology gives long-term color stability and results in an ever more realistic looking aquarium.
The corals show their natural colors, and the lighting encourages excellent growth. Our Modular LED lamps helps to transform your aquarium into a perfect reef tank.
Lamp dont need outside power supply, its have built switching mode power supply with above 97% efficiency. Lamp can be placed directly above the tank , its not need heat removal-equipment. Every lamp have built on three extra quit fans with double bearings.
Below are our 120w 16.000K Modular Lamp light test data :
2" depth - 1581 Par
12" depth - 551 Par
24" depth - 249 Par
Parameter: PS Modular
Input voltage 120/230VAC
Power: 120W
LED Qty 119pcs
Color White Cree Led 16.000K or 14.000K
Per watt Lumens 90-100lm (average)
Wavelength: Blue 420nm, Blue 455nm
Power Factor: 0.97
IP: IP50
Working environmental temperature -20 ~ +50degress
Covering area (1M height) 13 Square meter
Equal to MH/HPS light 300-400W
Packing size 45x26x12.3cm
Weight N.W 4.5kg /G.W 5kg
Indoor used only – dont use dripping water or dripping irrigation place to avoid light damage.

 

[jezzeaepi]

Has anyone found spectral plots of any LED lighting? Drives me crazy that none of the manufacturers publish them.

 

[Shane and John]

A hint with Pac Sun..Make absolutly sure that you buy a master /slave unit only...Do Not...I repeat..Do Not buy 2 independently operated units and try to run them in tandem on one tank..It doesnt work...I bought 2 units and tried to run them together...After countless hrs on the computer with programing and on the phone with pac sun I gave up..I currently am running the 160 watt master slave combo...3 watt cree led's..These are great units.If you decide Pac sun..Research what you want and then buy...Or..I can help you as I have gone through it with them..Pac sun reccomended me the 2 IO UNITS...So i wouldnt Trust their reccomendations at all...Great Units....customer service is ...well...ok.....when they get it right..which sometimes takes a lot....Hope that helps..

I have a 120 gallon tank with mostly lps and chalices..Adam...from post # 2 gave me a few sps to try to grow for an experiment...they have been in my tank for about 2 months..Both have grown about 1/4 of an inch or more and a Super Bright in color...Im not an sps guy but its been fun watching them grow!!

 

[DolphinLVR]

A hint with Pac Sun..Make absolutly sure that you buy a master /slave unit only...Do Not...I repeat..Do Not buy 2 independently operated units and try to run them in tandem on one tank..It doesnt work...I bought 2 units and tried to run them together...After countless hrs on the computer with programing and on the phone with pac sun I gave up..I currently am running the 160 watt master slave combo...3 watt cree led's..These are great units.If you decide Pac sun..Research what you want and then buy...Or..I can help you as I have gone through it with them..Pac sun reccomended me the 2 IO UNITS...So i wouldnt Trust their reccomendations at all...Great Units....customer service is ...well...ok.....when they get it right..which sometimes takes a lot....Hope that helps..

I have a 120 gallon tank with mostly lps and chalices..Adam...from post # 2 gave me a few sps to try to grow for an experiment...they have been in my tank for about 2 months..Both have grown about 1/4 of an inch or more and a Super Bright in color...Im not an sps guy but its been fun watching them grow!!

Shane Buddy! Glad you got the lights and are happy with them! I still need to get a light demanding SPS for my tank.

 

[Shane and John]

Jeff....you wont be dissapointed...These in my tank are growing like Crazy...Hope your doing well and hope your tank is also
Did you get the new pac sun software?I have not...Im a bit nervous to..lol..After all my issues,and Finally getting it Right...Im scared to mess with it!!

 

[DolphinLVR]

Jeff....you wont be dissapointed...These in my tank are growing like Crazy...Hope your doing well and hope your tank is also
Did you get the new pac sun software?I have not...Im a bit nervous to..lol..After all my issues,and Finally getting it Right...Im scared to mess with it!!

No I havent gotten it yet, I will take a look at it and see and I'll let you know

 

[jx4hansen]

I know a couple of you have purchased Pacific Sun LED's from Barrier Reef Aquariums....on the group buy
Can you give me any insight into these units?

I see that there is a sale for them on Reef Central

> 1- 160W Master - 1099
> 1- 160W Slave - 899

How do these compare to the prices you guys paid??

I am working on a 75 gallon build which I am buying parts to be able to upgrade to a 120 after that.

 

[dragoneggs]

I have a couple of Maxspect 160W on my Elos 160XL tank... I love them. Best price for performance by far!

 

[FreakinReefin]

I know a couple of you have purchased Pacific Sun LED's from Barrier Reef Aquariums....on the group buy
Can you give me any insight into these units?

I see that there is a sale for them on Reef Central

> 1- 160W Master - 1099
> 1- 160W Slave - 899

How do these compare to the prices you guys paid??

I am working on a 75 gallon build which I am buying parts to be able to upgrade to a 120 after that.

I'm pretty sure that's what I paid for them. They are great lights(160w m/s combo) and I am really excited to track growth. I ended up making the same mistake originally by ordering the two 75w IO units. They are apparently being fixed right now, however I wouldn't garauntee it. Either way you just want to get LEDs with options to adjust...dim and change color. Otherwise they are little more than just a light. Although LED light is really amazing what show in a very colorful tank.

 

[Acro76]

LED's are changing so fast it is hard to evaluate them, as new manufacturers and new fixtures are constantly being released.

Here are a few criteria I use to evaluate fixtures through my own research and practical experience with AI, Ecoxotic, Acan Lighting, Reefbrite, Current USA, and others.

1. Aluminum heat sink - Both size and design play a huge role in your LED's lasting 3 months or 12 years. Fans can also help, the nicer units have temperature controlled fans. Yeah you can save a bundle making your own, but if you don't design it right, your LED's will fry! Part of the price of an LED fixture is warranty, reputation (do they take care of customers?), and design.

2. Lens design - LED's can be like a laser beam if not properly focused into the tank, leading to bleached and stressed corals. 60 degree or higher optics can really help spread the light from a beam to a useful reef aquarium light.

3. CREE LED's - Cree has been at the forefront of LED design and efficiency. A cheaper light may not have these state of the art LEDs. But beware, high demand for the newest LED's may push back production times and make you wait weeks or months for your fixture.

4. PAR/Lumens - PAR is often used to evaluate fixtures, but it is not quite as important as you probably think it is! Very low PAR LED fixtures have burned up many a hot coral, so there is clearly some other factors at play. When switching out for LED lighting, go conservative and take your time increasing intensity. Higher PAR is nice for very deep tanks, or for SPS corals, but only if you can control it... Lumens or LUX is not very useful, as it includes light spectra not even utilized by corals.

5. Dimmable or at the very least switchable! - LED's are dimmable from 0% to 100% which makes for some great dawn to dusk effects, cloud effects, lighting storms, and also helps acclimate new corals or ease the transition from other lighting types to LED. Unlike MH or t5 the technology to dim LED is very reliable and really not expensive (google Orbtech LED patent to see why it adds to fixture cost!). At the very least your LED light should be able to have all white LED on or off, and all blue LED on or off with a switch or timer.

6. LED types, options, and upgradability. As LED technology advances so quickly, those of us willing to shell out big bucks are the "early adopters". Will we be screwed when the latest advances hit the market? The combination of a successful form factor (with efficient cooling and lens design) and established brands with good sales are the most likely to be easily upgradeable.

Good luck!

 

[capdippe]

I'm not sure, but how do you get the full light spectrum from LED's? I thought that you can't house sps's or deep corals due to that? Am I wrong?