Anyone ever used "Grow Lights" for coral?

[tbaum101]

I have a guy who is a handyman type and he is a big fan of "herbal" supplements. I knew he would know someone who had LED's. Turns out I was right. An older gentleman was going to start a growing operation and decided he just didn't have it in him to really do. So he has a bunch of full spectrum grow lights. All of them are brand new. I want to start a big coral grow room and lighting being as expensive as it is, wouldn't mind saving some money where possible. These supposedly are good for growing and flowering in the same light...If you know what I mean. Any thoughts?

 

[twentyleagues]

The first issues is the output.
Second issue is the spectrum especially the "flowering" red spectrum.

 

[tbaum101]

I know too much red spectrum can be fatal for some corals but a certain amount is good. I run my daytime lights at 33% now. Do they go higher on grow lights?

 

[anthonymckay]

I think the issue is more that "red" spectrum will promote algae growth, and corals need light in the "blue" spectrum

 

[dmsc2fs]

The lights will be great for a refugium and that’s about it,

 

[twentyleagues]

I know too much red spectrum can be fatal for some corals but a certain amount is good. I run my daytime lights at 33% now. Do they go higher on grow lights?

They will be much more red than that. 50% more at least. I agree they would be good macro lights. Blooms are like 80% red and orange 15% blue and 5% white. Grows are usually mostly white with some blue and sometimes red mixed in. Depending on the macro I'd go with the grows over the bloom also.
IMO not a good light for coral looks or growth.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I have a guy who is a handyman type and he is a big fan of "herbal" supplements. I knew he would know someone who had LED's. Turns out I was right. An older gentleman was going to start a growing operation and decided he just didn't have it in him to really do. So he has a bunch of full spectrum grow lights. All of them are brand new. I want to start a big coral grow room and lighting being as expensive as it is, wouldn't mind saving some money where possible. These supposedly are good for growing and flowering in the same light...If you know what I mean. Any thoughts?

Great if you want to grow algae and sell it.

 

[metro6775]

I bet you can grow some killer chaeto with those bulbs bro!

 

[Septurn]

I have a guy who is a handyman type and he is a big fan of "herbal" supplements. I knew he would know someone who had LED's. Turns out I was right. An older gentleman was going to start a growing operation and decided he just didn't have it in him to really do. So he has a bunch of full spectrum grow lights. All of them are brand new. I want to start a big coral grow room and lighting being as expensive as it is, wouldn't mind saving some money where possible. These supposedly are good for growing and flowering in the same light...If you know what I mean. Any thoughts?

The output matters a lot

 

[VintageReefer]

Are the channels / colors tunable?
Do you know the brand and model ?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I used my old herb growing lights for soft corals (leathers, pally's, mushrooms) for about a year until I moved everything. Everything was healthy and alive and even grew a little, but it all stayed brown. The colour spectrum for plants is not the same as corals, corals will brown out and have no colour pop.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I have a guy who is a handyman type and he is a big fan of "herbal" supplements. I knew he would know someone who had LED's. Turns out I was right. An older gentleman was going to start a growing operation and decided he just didn't have it in him to really do. So he has a bunch of full spectrum grow lights. All of them are brand new. I want to start a big coral grow room and lighting being as expensive as it is, wouldn't mind saving some money where possible. These supposedly are good for growing and flowering in the same light...If you know what I mean. Any thoughts?

As has been mentioned, the spectrum and output of the light is key here.


Do you know the specific light model of the LED's?

If you do, you may be able to find the Spectral Power Distribution Chart/Graph (shows basically how much of each color of light is produced by the fixture) and PPFD Chart (basically a map of the PAR output of the fixture).

Knowing the spectrum and output of the light would help us say if it would be a good idea to use them or not. Similarly, knowing if you can adjust the spectrum put out by the light would also be useful.

 

[tbaum101]

As has been mentioned, the spectrum and output of the light is key here.


Do you know the specific light model of the LED's?

If you do, you may be able to find the Spectral Power Distribution Chart/Graph (shows basically how much of each color of light is produced by the fixture) and PPFD Chart (basically a map of the PAR output of the fixture).

Knowing the spectrum and output of the light would help us say if it would be a good idea to use them or not. Similarly, knowing if you can adjust the spectrum put out by the light would also be useful.

I'm trying to find out that very thing...But they're slow getting back to me (go figure). Asked for Manufacturer and model at a minimum as well as any spectrum information. For the price, I figured I'd at least look into it. That halides from back in the day pulled double duty..was hoping for the same with LED's