Best Leds for Chaeto?

[TomLi]

Scored some Chaeto in a store across town Saturday. Will have to get a protocol worked out, but plan to look at how spectrum affects photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, etc.

Are you planning to test ufo amazon lights as well as the mars and viparspectra 300 watts or more just spectrum and kessil h380

 

[AQUAM]

Switched from custom led strip to this light,
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Asta-20-Multi-Color-Programmable/dp/B071LJC8HL

It’s surprisingly good especially at the price point.

 

[Dana Riddle]

Are you planning to test ufo amazon lights as well as the mars and viparspectra 300 watts or more just spectrum and kessil h380

I'm thinking the first round will test a LED built for me that mimics the Kessil Tuna blue, also 6500K, and pure red. Lots of hurdles - a jig must be built that holds the same clump of Chaeto in a stationary position during hours of multiple tests. PPFD measurements play a large part as well, so a close look must be made at the PAR sensor. The Apogee is much easier to use due to its size, but the LiCor might be the better choice. We'll see.

 

[BigJohnny]

I run a
RAYWAY 216W Full Spectrum UFO Led Grow Light
I got it from amazon $39 and grow more chaeto then I know what to do with.

Nice, very similar to what I purchased.

 

[BigJohnny]

Scored some Chaeto in a store across town Saturday. Will have to get a protocol worked out, but plan to look at how spectrum affects photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, etc.

Awesome!

 

[Bob Escher]

Hands down, best one I have ever used. I get about 3 gal of chaeto a month.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HLBEMOG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1513305475&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=Wyzm+plant&dpPl=1&dpID=41IJygzu+tL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

I have this one and yes it grows but I moved things around and now I don’t have anyplace to mount it

 

[stevieduk]

I thi

Hey Reefers,

I am trying to decide between these two LED "UFO" grow fixtures. My chaeto isn't keeping up with my increased bioload under the ol Par38 style bulb. My current Par38 is 24w with 9 red leds (630nm and 660nm) and 3 blue leds (460nm).

These two fixtures seem pretty similar except a slightly different mix of leds EXCEPT one has a 3000k Cree COB in the middle which I've never seen on one of these before.

Here is the first fixture:
Roleadro UFO 138W LED Grow Light for Home Grower https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RWYCRB2/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_8TYmAbT9YVVYY

Doesn't say how many leds of which type but just that they are 3w epi/bridgelux and include the following:

Full spectrum 9 band,including UV and IR: 430~440nm, 450~460nm, 610~615nm, 620~630nm, 650~660nm, white, IR(730nm) , UV 380~400nm, 470nm.

Here is the 2nd fixture with the Cree COB:
UFO Led Grow Light, Growstar 150W Full Spectrum Plant Light with Cree COB and Switch for Indoor Plants Seeding, Growing and Flowering. (150w) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07312WKX2/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_6VYmAbQH2G87R

Again doesn't say how many of each type but 3w epi/bridgelux plus a 30w Cree COB and include the following:

Red(650-660nm, 620-630nm), Orange(600-610nm), Blue(430-440nm, 450-460nm, 460-470nm), UV(380-400nm), IR(740-760nm), White(2700-3000K, 4200-4500K), Cree COB(3000K)

Thoughts? I think I can probably find a ufo with just the red n blue like the Par38 as well, there so many different ones on amazon and ebay. These both have 2 year warranties and decent reviews. I just don't know what's best.

I think everyone complicates lighting for chaeto. i just have to white spotlights, the type you have in a kitchen ceiling, and i cannot stop the stuff growing, im throwing it away or giving it away every two or three weeks

Hey Reefers,

I am trying to decide between these two LED "UFO" grow fixtures. My chaeto isn't keeping up with my increased bioload under the ol Par38 style bulb. My current Par38 is 24w with 9 red leds (630nm and 660nm) and 3 blue leds (460nm).

These two fixtures seem pretty similar except a slightly different mix of leds EXCEPT one has a 3000k Cree COB in the middle which I've never seen on one of these before.

Here is the first fixture:
Roleadro UFO 138W LED Grow Light for Home Grower https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RWYCRB2/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_8TYmAbT9YVVYY

Doesn't say how many leds of which type but just that they are 3w epi/bridgelux and include the following:

Full spectrum 9 band,including UV and IR: 430~440nm, 450~460nm, 610~615nm, 620~630nm, 650~660nm, white, IR(730nm) , UV 380~400nm, 470nm.

Here is the 2nd fixture with the Cree COB:
UFO Led Grow Light, Growstar 150W Full Spectrum Plant Light with Cree COB and Switch for Indoor Plants Seeding, Growing and Flowering. (150w) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07312WKX2/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_6VYmAbQH2G87R

Again doesn't say how many of each type but 3w epi/bridgelux plus a 30w Cree COB and include the following:

Red(650-660nm, 620-630nm), Orange(600-610nm), Blue(430-440nm, 450-460nm, 460-470nm), UV(380-400nm), IR(740-760nm), White(2700-3000K, 4200-4500K), Cree COB(3000K)

Thoughts? I think I can probably find a ufo with just the red n blue like the Par38 as well, there so many different ones on amazon and ebay. These both have 2 year warranties and decent reviews. I just don't know what's best.

 

[BigJohnny]

I thi

I think everyone complicates lighting for chaeto. i just have to white spotlights, the type you have in a kitchen ceiling, and i cannot stop the stuff growing, im throwing it away or giving it away every two or three weeks

Doesn't mean you couldn't grow it twice as fast with another light source

 

[Ferrell]

Savannah - The Paris of North America. One of my favorite cities.

Grew up in Savannah. It’s a great place to visit but a lot like your comment on Hawaii LOL

 

[tigé21v]

Since we have a group of peeps here all interested in cheato, maybe one of you can answer this question-
Does the new growth of a strand of chaeto happen at both ends of the strand?
(my BFF Google has continually let me down on this one)

 

[P-Dub]

H

I run a
RAYWAY 216W Full Spectrum UFO Led Grow Light
I got it from amazon $39 and grow more chaeto then I know what to do with.

How big is your display, your fuge, and how long have you had it up and running?

 

[ccerone]

I have used this bulb for almost 2 years. Every 2 weeks I pull handfuls of chaeto out of my fuge.

 

[BigJohnny]

I have used this bulb for almost 2 years. Every 2 weeks I pull handfuls of chaeto out of my fuge.

That is the bulb I've been using. Great par38.

I personally just need more oomph, hence the upgrade.

 

[Lasse]

Since we have a group of peeps here all interested in cheato, maybe one of you can answer this question-
Does the new growth of a strand of chaeto happen at both ends of the strand?
(my BFF Google has continually let me down on this one)

Good question. If they get equal intensity of light - why not?

Sincerely Lasse

 

[BigJohnny]

Got the Growstar 150w led set up today, thing is a beast and I love the look of the 3000k Cree COB. I will do par testing tomorrow vs my marshydro par38.

 

[mdd1986]

I have the mars 300 and I think its way too big for my sump (12x10"x10" size fuge). The light spell is also a huge issue. How does the UFO style compare when it comes to light bleed?

 

[BigJohnny]

I have the mars 300 and I think its way too big for my sump (12x10"x10" size fuge). The light spell is also a huge issue. How does the UFO style compare when it comes to light bleed?

My fuge is 10.5" x 17.25" x 11.5" so I can relate, the Mars Hydro 300 basically lit up my whole sump (40b) at an appropriate mounting height for the chaeto.

The Growstar UFO I purchased is significantly smaller than the Mars hydro 300, about a 6-7" diameter circle. I currently have it mounted 8" above my fuge water line, which is the lowest I could put it for the chaeto (maybe too low I'll see how it reacts and also check par today). There is still definitely some significant light spillage. My fuge baffles are blacked out, so that helps a lot but it still spills over the top into my other sections.

The problem with these led grow lights is that they really are designed to have some good coverage for growing wide plants (most are designed for cannabis) where they want that spread of +24" at 12".

I'd say it's about 50% less light spillage vs the Mars hydro 300 and 200% more than my par38. My par 38 had a reflector and more focused lenses (not to mention it was smaller), and the Mars hydro was more powerful so I had to mount it higher, plus more spread due to the width of the fixture, even turned up/down.

I will see how much algae growth I get elsewhere but I'm already considering hanging some soft plastic dividers down from the inside top of my stand. My skimmer grew some algae even from the par38 so well see. Regardless, definitely an improvement over the Mars hydro 300 and I needed the upgrade.

 

[mdd1986]

My fuge is 10.5" x 17.25" x 11.5" so I can relate, the Mars Hydro 300 basically lit up my whole sump (40b) at an appropriate mounting height for the chaeto.

The Growstar UFO I purchased is significantly smaller than the Mars hydro 300, about a 6-7" diameter circle. I currently have it mounted 8" above my fuge water line, which is the lowest I could put it for the chaeto (maybe too low I'll see how it reacts and also check par today). There is still definitely some significant light spillage. My fuge baffles are blacked out, so that helps a lot but it still spills over the top into my other sections.

The problem with these led grow lights is that they really are designed to have some good coverage for growing wide plants (most are designed for cannabis) where they want that spread of +24" at 12".

I'd say it's about 50% less light spillage vs the Mars hydro 300 and 200% more than my par38. My par 38 had a reflector and more focused lenses (not to mention it was smaller), and the Mars hydro was more powerful so I had to mount it higher, plus more spread due to the width of the fixture, even turned up/down.

I will see how much algae growth I get elsewhere but I'm already considering hanging some soft plastic dividers down from the inside top of my stand. My skimmer grew some algae even from the par38 so well see. Regardless, definitely an improvement over the Mars hydro 300 and I needed the upgrade.

Thanks for the insight. Yea that is what I was afraid of. I may just get some pieces of white acrylic to mount on the sides of the mars fixture to prevent the light spill. I don't want algae growing all over my sump and skimmer like you mentioned.

 

[BigJohnny]

Thanks for the insight. Yea that is what I was afraid of. I may just get some pieces of white acrylic to mount on the sides of the mars fixture to prevent the light spill. I don't want algae growing all over my sump and skimmer like you mentioned.

No problem. One thing to consider is the reflective properties of the material you use to block out the light. I'm not sure but the white acrylic may cause some more light to be focused on the chaeto by bouncing off the sides (I'm no expert). I plan to use this black plastic stuff that Jason fox and wwc use on their 700 and 900 respectively in place of a canopy. It's black and just hangs down in front of the lights. Also since it's soft and flexible much easier to move aside during maintenance. Maybe the black would absorb the light rather than reflect it into the refugium. Just a thought.

 

[Shigshwa]

I run a
RAYWAY 216W Full Spectrum UFO Led Grow Light
I got it from amazon $39 and grow more chaeto then I know what to do with.

I took your word for it, and bought it. It seems to have a similar wattage to the H380, although the Kessil likely has more efficient LEDs. I now have a DT on top, and a grow op in the sump, ha ha.