Doctors issue warning about the use of LED's

[Cyclist]

Anyone see this artical on CNN? http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/21/health/led-streetlights-ama/index.html

Very interesting and has me thinking that I need to get rid of my LED lights over the tank because I do have small children that can look directly at the leds. Better safe then sorry.

Going to go T5

 

[dbrewsky]

Appears to be a poorly researched article and I would not compare these statements to LED technology in general, especially not to reef tank applications!

 

[ReefPiracy]

I stare at the sun, zero issues.

 

[Cyclist]

Appears to be a poorly researched article and I would not compare these statements to LED technology in general, especially not to reef tank applications!

Your very quick at verifying sources. I disagree, after doing a quick Google search I am finding plenty on this subject that supports their findings.

Further research show plenty of opinions supporting and refuting.

 

[cmcoker]

I'll just add that, anecdotally, I can't look at my t5 bulbs any more easily than the leds. I would think if your concern is protecting your children from looking at the light source a canopy would be a better solution.

All of the light sources we use on a reef tank are high output and lots of blue.

That's what stuck out to me the most about the article they seem concerned with the high blue peaks in the lights..

 

[Cyclist]

That's what stuck out to me also. I also noted that also includes the more dangerous UV led or any UV light for that mater.

 

[Doob]

I'll just add that, anecdotally, I can't look at my t5 bulbs any more easily than the leds. I would think if your concern is protecting your children from looking at the light source a canopy would be a better solution.

All of the light sources we use on a reef tank are high output and lots of blue.

That's what stuck out to me the most about the article they seem concerned with the high blue peaks in the lights..

+1

T5s won't be any better if its the blue that's what causes problems.

My eyes hurt on sunny days with bright blue sky's too.

 

[Rickyrooz]

I think LED's on the road are great, "suppresses melatonin levels five times more than high pressure sodium lamps". Now I don't have to worry about falling asleep at the wheel!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I'm going with, they are issuing it as a warning that they shouldn't use cheap untested junk just to save a buck. It took a long time to make the switch over from green"cool white/warm white" tubes to full spectrum, in places of work and business, until science showed how bad it was for humans esp emotionally(see european circadian reset and depression studies using daylight sources). In California I believe it is now Code.

+1 canopy or curtaining the light. My new one is cloth. Fwiw your tank will look "apparently" better as your eye is not having to make the constant perceptual judgment between the source of the light and the subject.
Cinematography 101.

 

[dbrewsky]

Yes staring directly into led could cause damage to your eyes, especially younger eyes. But same applies to any high intensity point-source light. You are replicating sunlight over these tanks and its a well known fact that staring at the sun will cause eye damage. Furthermore, uv led/mh without shielding/sunlight all deliver uv at damaging levels.

I agree that the best way to avoid contact with the direct lighting will be to utilize a canopy. I have been very happy with my canopy over previous tanks with free standing lighting.

 

[FranklinDattein]

On a related token, there has been some articles recently, stating that being exposed blue and white lights a few hours before bed, will affect sleeping.
It includes anything that emits light, including smartphones.

 

[Reeflogic]

I have a brain cloud, now I know the source... Save me Joe!!

 

[cmcoker]

On a related token, there has been some articles recently, stating that being exposed blue and white lights a few hours before bed, will affect sleeping.
It includes anything that emits light, including smartphones.

On the effects of blue light, my anatomy professor said during lecture that the amount of blue light we are exposed to is what triggers puberty. Used to be just the sky, now it's screens and that's reason for earlier onset of puberty.. Effects the amygdala I believe.

 

[sundog101]

I think we'll survive

 

[PatW]

They were talking about street lights. Humans need dark periods. Lights which are high wavelength like incandescent do not mess up our photo period. High wavelength LED street lights are fine. But the low wave length LED s mess up photo periods. Using low wave length LED lights on your reef tank is fine unless you have them on late at night. As long as you get your normal night period of about 8 hours without bright low wave length lights, you should be fine.

 

[beadlocked450r]

Is anybody really suprised? Go figure staring at a bright light for long periods will cause eye damage, (who knew)? Guess what? If you listen to loud music too much you can go deaf! Jus sayin....

 

[adestafi]

Not much left to do in this life where there isn't a risk of something happening to you.

 

[Harry_Y]

It's the blue part that is bad for you. I used to have a T5 Fixture that made my eyes hurt.

The best is to build a shield to prevent looking directly at the bulbs.

I run MH now and made a holder for my night lights that doubles as a shield.

 

[Robink]

On a related token, there has been some articles recently, stating that being exposed blue and white lights a few hours before bed, will affect sleeping.
It includes anything that emits light, including smartphones.

No wonder I can't sleep!!!

 

[mkj]

The article is correct. There's also a Harvard article from about 2 years ago stating the same conclusion. I'm sure google could find it if someone wants to look. Eye doctors have been saying this for decades. The science behind this article isn't new news. Having LEDs that use this wavelength is fairly new though and is why people aren't informed about single wavelength source.This is also why manufactures are trying to take out these wavelengths from LCD/LED TVs and computer screens which many people stare at all day. All animal retinas absorbed this wavelength deeper. Same principle as blue light reaching deeper depths in water. The 400-450 wavelength range damages our retinas quick then others. This is why older people wear giant sunglasses that cover their entire faces. The more time your eyes absorb light in the 400-450 range the sooner you will need these glasses. Doesn't matter where the light comes from its just that LEDs over tanks are very powerful and because LEDs are single wavelength our eyes get hit with a direct dose. People who stare at their tanks "over time" will need these glasses sooner in life just like people who spend most of their time outside without sunglasses.