Why red in my LED lights?

[w2inc]

If coral doesn't need red light to grow and it can potentially damage them then why are they in my lights? What might happen if I turn that channel off? (other than saving power and generating less heat)

 

[James M]

Following for the answer

 

[dantimdad]

Look at the DIY LED thread for an explanation

I go into detail about what spectrums are needed and how to obtain them.

No, in my experience and opinion, you don't need specific red LEDs. In fact, I think they are over hyped.

 

[Saveafish]

You don't need red. That's from people that just put all the colors in the lights to sell them. If they are 6500k than good. You get plenty of red spectrum in the whites.

 

[dantimdad]

6500K don't have much red but that's ok.

To reduce the number of LEDs used or utilize space and power more efficiently, manufacturers should do away with reds and 6500K and go to 2700K and 4500K if they use whites at all, which I don't believe are 100% necessary. These white LEDs have red, amber and other peaks in them that compensate for a lot or overdo a lot depending on your point of view.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

You need red

https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/2/aafeature

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

6500K don't have much red but that's ok.

To reduce the number of LEDs used or utilize space and power more efficiently, manufacturers should do away with reds and 6500K and go to 2700K and 4500K if they use whites at all, which I don't believe are 100% necessary. These white LEDs have red, amber and other peaks in them that compensate for a lot or overdo a lot depending on your point of view.

Please keep in mind , we can mix most any color temp in a number of ways.
A Hamilton and a radium are both 20k on the meter but look different for example

 

[jda]

Red can also facilitate energy from PSII to PSI in what is called the Emerson Effect. I would keep some red around in some form or another.

 

[w2inc]

You need red

https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/2/aafeature

So I am wondering if there has been more information since 2002. Here is a clip from the end of the article you linked.

" Future experiments involving spectral quality and its effects should include more data points, different lamps and perhaps different coral species. Clearly, more work is required before we have an answer to the "best lamp" question. For now, it appears that spectral quality might be subordinate to lamp intensity."

I also wonder if corals need, or are simply able to tolerate the red spectrum. Dana Riddle presented at MACNA 2018 and mentions that a little red won't hurt. Here is a link to a video of it, comments are between 10:30 and 13:00.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

So I am wondering if there has been more information since 2002. Here is a clip from the end of the article you linked.

" Future experiments involving spectral quality and its effects should include more data points, different lamps and perhaps different coral species. Clearly, more work is required before we have an answer to the "best lamp" question. For now, it appears that spectral quality might be subordinate to lamp intensity."

I also wonder if corals need, or are simply able to tolerate the red spectrum. Dana Riddle presented at MACNA 2018 and mentions that a little red won't hurt. Here is a link to a video of it, comments are between 10:30 and 13:00.

There was an article years ago where red was studied.
Most didn’t read it or read it till the end.
The experiment showed how only red effected coral. It died. Plants can adapt.
So now , most people think red is bad , whereas we’ve known coral likes and needs a bit of red

 

[dantimdad]

yes a little red can be useful. I think the OP was asking why there was a dedicated bulb in his fixture.

There is so little that actually gets put to use, having it's own separate bulb(s) seems wasteful. I agree.

Red/green/windex blue can all become quickly overwhelming.

 

[madweazl]

Hmm, many T5s employ quite a bit of red. Dont think there is a halide that doesnt. Sun has it, and it penetrates depths where many corals live so I dont see a compelling reason not to use it.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

yes a little red can be useful. I think the OP was asking why there was a dedicated bulb in his fixture.

There is so little that actually gets put to use, having it's own separate bulb(s) seems wasteful. I agree.

Red/green/windex blue can all become quickly overwhelming.

Likely because the method used to filter the raw led to the point only red comes out of the emitter decreases the overall intensity to the point it needs its own led to add the correct and balanced amount to the spectra produced by the fixture.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

yes a little red can be useful. I think the OP was asking why there was a dedicated bulb in his fixture.

There is so little that actually gets put to use, having it's own separate bulb(s) seems wasteful. I agree.

Red/green/windex blue can all become quickly overwhelming.

A fwiw , blue & green are a wide place on the spectrum, red is narrow as it shares its side of the spectrum with orange and yellow.

 

[Steven Garland]

I still can't wrap my head around why these big led companies still use trash/low CRI whites besides for money purposes and to add more leds and "spectrum".

Use neutral or warm whites (higher CRI whites cover g&r and replicate closer to the sun and rendition of colors is amazing,use 75-90+ CRI whites) to replace greens and reds,and use mint/lime to brighten the array and make it crisp and cut down the yellowish hue.

No problem on not running them,you can grown corals with a spectrum of 400-450nm. What do you think most vendors grow coral under nowadays,but basically all blues/violets.

 

[madweazl]

What do you think most vendors grow coral under nowadays,but basically all blues/violets.

Most use halides or augment LEDs with T5s which again, have quite a bit of "red."

 

[Steven Garland]

Most use halides or augment LEDs with T5s which again, have quite a bit of "red."

You are correct. But comparing halides to leds is like comparing grade a steak to tofu ;Yawn.

 

[madweazl]

You are correct. But comparing halides to leds is like comparing grade a steak to tofu ;Yawn.

I dont think anyone is comparing the technologies; I'm talking about spectrum specifically and why there is a good case to include red within an array.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

You are correct. But comparing halides to leds is like comparing grade a steak to tofu ;Yawn.

I dont think anyone is comparing the technologies; I'm talking about spectrum specifically and why there is a good case to include red within an array.

Sooo.... adding the red makes the tofu taste more like stake.

Pretty much wraps up this thread then.

 

[Steven Garland]

Basically