beastium
Active Member
LED's are great but you have to consider the wavelengths as they are pinpointed in each chip rather than having an array of wavelengths caused by a gas burning bulb. Also they emit light from a small point thus spread is a challenge.
Kessil's have multichips which have like 9 tiny diodes on one chip I believe, which create a full-spectrum look and provide a variety of wavelength.
I built my own 100W multichip which has 100 tiny diodes on one chip, and 3 channels that separate the 10 different colors by white, violet, and blue, and they are all controlled independently via Storm controller by Coralux. Overall cost was ~$220. I am very happy with the function of the controller, the full spectrum provided, but the only drawback to me is that since everything is emitted from one point, the light is blocked by structures along the sides. I am looking into a reflector to improve the situation.
Many LED's only have 10,000K and 460nm blue, which is the bulk of the necessary wavelength required for photosynthesis and coloration, but where MH and T5 excel is in providing the narrow frequencies that certain corals need to retain their unique colors. Having a large panel with only 14-16,000K white chips would be good, providing a well rounded spectrum, but will not provide the blue fluorescence that we all love. Same thing with MH though. Further research is required still for me to know what would be the best ratio when broken down to just 100 units. I know that red wavelength is crucial, but studies have shown that it's only up to a certain intensity, beyond which the red wavelength negatively impacts growth. Thats why I only have 3 Red out of the 100 diodes. I threw in 380nm, 390nm, 400nm, 410nm, 420nm, 430nm, 440nm, 450nm, 460nm, 470nm, 490nm, 520nm, 660nm, 8000K, 12000K, and 20000K, but I'm not a scientist so I dont know if I chose the right ratio per the 100 chips.
All in all I'd say that LED's are awesome for their aesthetic value, long life and low-heat, but will require the right mix and quantity of chips plus good spread in order to truly make T5 or MH obsolete as reef lighting.
Kessil's have multichips which have like 9 tiny diodes on one chip I believe, which create a full-spectrum look and provide a variety of wavelength.
I built my own 100W multichip which has 100 tiny diodes on one chip, and 3 channels that separate the 10 different colors by white, violet, and blue, and they are all controlled independently via Storm controller by Coralux. Overall cost was ~$220. I am very happy with the function of the controller, the full spectrum provided, but the only drawback to me is that since everything is emitted from one point, the light is blocked by structures along the sides. I am looking into a reflector to improve the situation.
Many LED's only have 10,000K and 460nm blue, which is the bulk of the necessary wavelength required for photosynthesis and coloration, but where MH and T5 excel is in providing the narrow frequencies that certain corals need to retain their unique colors. Having a large panel with only 14-16,000K white chips would be good, providing a well rounded spectrum, but will not provide the blue fluorescence that we all love. Same thing with MH though. Further research is required still for me to know what would be the best ratio when broken down to just 100 units. I know that red wavelength is crucial, but studies have shown that it's only up to a certain intensity, beyond which the red wavelength negatively impacts growth. Thats why I only have 3 Red out of the 100 diodes. I threw in 380nm, 390nm, 400nm, 410nm, 420nm, 430nm, 440nm, 450nm, 460nm, 470nm, 490nm, 520nm, 660nm, 8000K, 12000K, and 20000K, but I'm not a scientist so I dont know if I chose the right ratio per the 100 chips.
All in all I'd say that LED's are awesome for their aesthetic value, long life and low-heat, but will require the right mix and quantity of chips plus good spread in order to truly make T5 or MH obsolete as reef lighting.
