Aquarium Lighting

[Carlrs]

We have once more updated the "Aquarium Lighting" article.

This is the most in depth and regularly updated for accuracy article on the subject of aquarium lighting, in particular for reef or planted aquarium use.

Unfortunately, while it is still my our most read article (& growing in popularity), it has gotten lost often in a sea of lame cut & paste articles, especially when it comes to Googles now almost useless spam filled search engine.

Reference:

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Lighting.html

Carl

[in...@hacienda-heights.net]

I agree, this is my go to reference for Aquarium Lighting and where I send my clients.

 

I do not get on the internet all too often, but when I do I never use Google Search, nothing but incorrect information and spam

 

G

[Carlrs]

Thanks G!

I track not only my articles, but others including the spam that now passes for information now on Google, and as each month passes it gets worse on Google, not better. Why anyone uses this search engine is beyond me.
IMHO, if you you use Google search YOU ARE part of the problem!!

Anyway, I have strayed off topic, but I will say that I have updated the "Aquarium Lighting" article once again to keep it as current and relevant as possible

This includes this quote from the PAR section as an area that many seem to not understand:
"Measuring PAR
Although Kelvins (as well as LUX conversions using questionable LUX to PAR conversion factors) are ways of getting rough estimates of PAR, only a Specific PAR Meter (also called Quantum Light Meters) can give you the best measurement of this aspect of determining your tanks lighting requirements (both at the surface and under the surface)

Currently accepted numbers measured as µMol•m²•sec (also referred to as micro mols or mmol) are 50 mmol for most plants or corals such as Nemezophyllia, while Acropora can require higher PAR outputs.
Keep in mind though, that if one light is using a shotgun approach to achieving a high PAR reading with wasted energy in spectrums outside known needed PUR, you may need a higher PAR reading, while the reverse may be true of a very efficient PUR light that might achieve excellent results at 50 mmol compared to the "shotgun" light that might require 200 mmol for the same corals or plants to achieve good results."
HOWEVER, keep in mind that a PAR Meter is NOT accurate in important light energy spikes WITHIN the 400 to 700 nanometer range, so while one light might measure a higher PAR mmol reading, another light might be still superior due to the more important PUR output.
This is where I have found the use of a PAR Meter to determine light efficiency VASTLY OVER RATED and why comparing lights based solely on PAR readings is folly!
As an example, just within the same brand of aquarium lights (AquaRay); A 12 Watt Fiji Blue LED fixture has a PAR of 38 at 400mm while the 12 watt Marine White LED has a PAR of 50 at 400mm. BOTH use the same amount of energy, and in fact the Fiji Blue is actually deeper penetrating, YET the Marine White has a higher PAR reading.
This is not to say the Marine White LED is bad, only to show the folly of rating a light based solely on PAR readings!!!!


Reference:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Lighting.html#par

Carl

[in...@hacienda-heights.net]

Great points as usual

G

On Friday, January 31, 2014 7:57:11 AM UTC-8, Carlrs wrote:

[Carlrs]

I have once more updated the Aquarium Lighting article

This time the summary section was updated, in part to call out the lemmings who continue to believe incorrect scientific information about lighting

Here is a quote:
"BE WARY of anyone who will shoot down the science that is explained here because it does not fit their view and the fact that they are unwilling to learn.
What is amazing to me, is that often many simply confuse what they like with the known facts of science.
Example; just because you might like green and yellow LED emitters, does NOT mean that this light energy, often measured in PAR values actually counts toward much if any of the useful light energy an acropora coral or aquarium plant requires!! If you like this light fine, but this does not change the known facts of lighting that this is mostly useless light.
Another act of scientific malpractice I have often noted is the simple fact that energy lost as heat is energy that is not going to light energy, which all lights are guilty of, but to widely varying degrees, yet many choose to ignore this most basic principle of science when comparing lights.
FINALLY, another example would be moon or lunar lights. I myself prefer blue lights for this, as have most of my clients, but this still does not make moon light blue, as the facts are it is NOT!!"

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Lighting.html#summary

Carl

[in...@hacienda-heights.net]

Exceptional points!

If only some persons with an open mind would read this instead of all the lemmings

G

[Carlrs]

I have continued to expand and update this article.

More was added in the PUR section, including a picture:



Reference for the PUR section:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Lighting.html#energy
Carl

[in...@hacienda-heights.net]

Carl;

I wrote a new blog post  a few weeks ago, if you have not read it, it deals with what a joke the amount of misinformation that is now put forth in a few popular aquarium keeping subjects. Including Aquarium Lighting

Here is the title:

"Aquarium Forums for Information such as LED Lighting, UV, Filters, more"

And link:

http://aquariumopinions.com/2014/03/25/aquarium-forums-for-information-such-as-led-lighting-uv-filters-more/

G

[Gregg H.]

Here is an website with some excellent information about Aquarium LED Lighting.

The first picture alone says a lot.

The should be required reading for moderators over at Reef Central or PNAMAS!! lol

http://aap.atrixnet.com/?p=338

G

[Carlrs]

I have once more updated the "Aquarium Lighting" article, especially in light of the constant omission of important facts by popular aquarium keeping personalities such as Sanjay Joshi and Mr. Saltwater Tank

Here are a few important quotes that are often omitted by others because it gets in the way of marketing of often inferior LED lights:

"Lights that occupy mostly the middle spectrum (500-600/ green-yellow) such as "warm White (2700- 3500K ) will produce LITTLE USEFUL PAR, in other words less PUR (which is discussed in more depth in the next section), unfortunately this FACT is commonly ignored by many, including popular aquarium keeping personalities."

"PUR (Photosynthetically Usable Radiation) also known as "Useful Light Energy" is what concerns us as aquarium keepers even considerably more than PAR in providing correct lighting.
Yet there is a lot of confusion, especially when considering LED Lights as many sellers and aquarium keeping personalities such as "Mr. Saltwater Tank" will hype high PAR values while ignoring PUR."


Reference:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Lighting.html





Carl

[Gregg H.]

Yes, I am familiar with these two.

Mr. Saltwater Tank has a very pleasant mannerism and I think this is what attracts my customers to watching his videos.

Unfortunately he does not do a very good job of researching his facts. However, I recall reading some comments some time ago where he was called out for his omission of the importance of PUR, yet he continues to do so, so I personally do not trust him.

Sanjay Joshi; here is a guy I have heard has a pHs in marketing with la lot less time in the hobby than you, who has a done a brilliant job with marketing and making very convincing graphs that persons with little knowledge or have bought the marketing ploys presented in forums such as Reef Central or PNWMAS simply gobble up.

In my opinion, both practice information presentation and marketing by omission of the facts, similar to how the news media also omit facts to spin readers/viewers to their view points.

A sad statement on our hobby/industry at best

G

[Gregg H.]

Hey;

I made a post dealing with Reef Central's crap.

Since I believe Trigger is your employee, I hope you find it interesting:

http://aquariumopinions.com/2014/12/29/aquaray-aquarium-led-reef-central/

G

[Carlrs]

Yes, he works for me!

BTW, I updated the "Aquarium Lighting" article to include a new picture demonstrating just how much light a 13 watt T2 light can produce











http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Lighting.html

Carl

[Carlrs]

We have added a new picture to our "Aquarium Lighting" article demonstrating the difference between two different lights, but with the same Kelvin rating.


The picture to the left shows a spectrograph of two 6500K aquarium lights. One is an AquaRay GroBeam and the other is a 6500 Aquarium CFL. The LED is rated at 12 watts while the CFL is 13 watts.

While similar, it is clear to see the LED has more blue and a lower blue amount as well as more red, less green and, the same yellow.

The point this makes/demonstrates is that while both lights are rated as 6500K, they are still not the same in their light energy output. Even among LED lights we can have differences of spectrographs depending upon emitters used.

Carl

[Carlrs]

This article from "Aquarium Answers" compliments my Aquarium Lighting article:

http://www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2012/03/pur-vs-par-in-aquarium-lighting.html

Carl

[Carlrs]

For those looking for the best light for their planted aquarium, superior to all others including the BML;
The GroBeam 1500 is now on sale for a limited time

SPECIAL: AquaGro 1500 Ultima: 30 Watt GroBeam- $224.99 Only until Dec. 16

While most Aquarium LEDs when used correctly can keep a reef or high light planted aquarium, no others can match the AAP AquaRay line for these reasons:

*Highest output light energy per input energy (electrical input).

*Highest PUR using patented designs and licensed emitters that provide optimum light energy with less need to mix emitters to achieve this.

*Most options for light spread and more; Large and small tiles, strips, patented mounting system also optionally available.

*The highest water-resistant rating of any major LED (IP67). This means your electronic lighting device that is placed in a wet aquatic environment has a chance of lasting more than a couple years (yes a LED is an electronic device like your Smart Phone, not a light in the traditional sense) .

*The longest and best warranty of 5 years for the fixture. This warranty is also for full replacement, not a weeks long repair, nor are there exceptions as with many others requiring a certain percentage of emitters be out before a warranty can be utilized.

*In the end, often what may seem like a bargain or even a comparable quality light is not when long term costs and quality are considered.

LED Aquarium Light | Reef & Planted Lighting | AquaRay & GroBeam

On Friday, January 31, 2014 at 7:57:11 AM UTC-8, Carlrs wrote:

[Gregg H.]

Good deal; my favorite freshwater LED light with the least amounts of problems

G

[Carlrs]

BTW;
Great article about aquarium LED warranties and problems.
Time is starting the bear out the importance of a good warranty!!

https://aquariumopinions.com/2013/12/16/aquarium-led-warranties-reef-or-planted/

Carl