Cheap fuge LED PAR readings

Vwluv10338 · Dec 23, 2020

Well my SQ420 came in yesterday so I was messing around taking readings. My 29 gallon struggles to keep any nutrients in the system despite heavy feedings. I have a 2.5g fuge section with a cheap led over it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07NVRW1C5?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I moved some macro into my 120g and added a Steves led build over it and ran it pretty low. My nutrients are higher in that tank despite having no fish and I tested the led about an inch under the water and got 150 par. Not bad I guess but I had nothing to compare it to. I walked over to my 29g and tested the led in the above post and it read 1200 PAR. It’s mounted about two inches off the water and I had reduced its photo period also removed my skimmer cup at thanksgiving trying to keep some nutrients in my system. Have bottomed out twice and had to overcome dinos. If you are looking for a cheap fuge light I think this fits the bill. They also have ones with more of the same COB LED.

garbled · Dec 23, 2020

Do you have a killawatt or apex that could display the power consumption on that fixture?

Vwluv10338 · Dec 23, 2020

garbled said:
Do you have a killawatt or apex that could display the power consumption on that fixture?

I do have an apex but it’s not hooked up yet. Usually the cheap LEDs under rate their wattage but it is important to remember that I’m running this one to two inches off the water and the reading was taken one inch under water so it was pretty close.

Dana Riddle · Dec 23, 2020

Wow - a PAR of 1200 is impressive (especially for the price) and probably excessive. Almost any coral exposed to this much light will go into photoinhibition - same goes for most (if not all) macro-algae. Reducing photoperiod won't prevent this.

Vwluv10338 · Dec 23, 2020

Dana Riddle said:
Wow - a PAR of 1200 is impressive (especially for the price) and probably excessive. Almost any coral exposed to this much light will go into photoinhibition - same goes for most (if not all) macro-algae. Reducing photoperiod won't prevent this.

It grows right up to the point that the only spots that die are what is sticking out of the water. I did some more testing tonight and the PAR drops off quickly which is to be expected but I’m still impressed with it. I wish it was dimmable. A few inches under water and the par drops to 300ish

blasterman · Dec 23, 2020

Told you so. Bwawawaw

I use a 20watt white one. I have to diffuse it through a glass block to keep it from burning cheato. All things considered a white one should throw more PAR than a red one per watt.

I got money on my 20watt one mopping the floor PAR wise vs a Kessel at double the wattage. When I see these guys running 380s on their fuge I snort mountain dew through my nose.

Another trick with cheato is to blow an airstone through it. Makes it more efficient and not have dead spots. Nitrate good bye. I can't run my cheato light more than 6 hours or I have to dose nitrate.

Vwluv10338 · Dec 23, 2020

blasterman said:
Told you so. Bwawawaw I use a 20watt white one. I have to diffuse it through a glass block to keep it from burning cheato. All things considered a white one should throw more PAR than a red one per watt.

I got money on my 20watt one mopping the floor PAR wise vs a Kessel at double the wattage. When I see these guys running 380s on their fuge I snort mountain dew through my nose.

Another trick with cheato is to blow an airstone through it. Makes it more efficient and not have dead spots. Nitrate good bye. I can't run my cheato light more than 6 hours or I have to dose nitrate.

Exactly. I have not had the cup on my skimmer for a month and still cut back the time my fuge light is on.