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LED Lighting Compendium

386K views 334 replies 148 participants last post by  iamaloner 
#1 · (Edited)
This thread is here to try and keep new and seasoned aquarists informed about LED lighting. Please post any information, especially relating to PAR vs Distance you have for the various LED lighting fixtures and emitters out there. I will add more information to the top post as people throw it in here. Please provide source links wherever possible.

:angryfire Please do not post here asking for suggestions about a certian light or recommendations for what light to choose. :angryfire This is a place for people to come and find actual information about commercial LED fixtures. If you want some suggestions, make a new thread in the lighting forum. This serves the dual purpose of not cluttering this thread and your issue getting more exposure for a suggestion. Thanks!

Deciphering This Thread
PAR Values(Source) - Thanks Gnomecatcher for the suggestion!
Values between 10-30 are considered low light.
Values between 30-80 are considered medium light.
Values between 80-120 are considered high light.
Keep in mind that these values are what is currently accepted by the community as accurate, and aren't set in stone.

Symbols
:eek: - Fixture designed for marine applications. This can be a problem in terms of high output or bad color for planted tanks.
:biggrin: - Fixture designed for freshwater planted applications. You shouldn't have to worry about output or color with these.

AquaIllumination Sol :eek:
PAR Data(Source) PAR Vs. Distance from source
400+ PAR @ 24"
300 PAR @ 30"
200 PAR @ 36"
Notes: Above information doesn't really do this fixture justice. Check out the source link, gives spectral output and PAR vs. distance with coverage. This fixture is meant for marine setups, so has very high PAR values. Dimming or raising the light high above the surface would be necessary for a planted setup.

AquaticLife LED 0.5W Expandable Fixtures
PAR Data not available
Notes: In response to an email i sent out, Dave Troop at AquaticLife responded saying their lights don't put out enough for plants, and are only meant for accent lighting or fish only setups (Source).

Current TrueLumen Pro LED StripLight
PAR Data(Source) PAR Vs. Distance from source
350 PAR @ surface
96 PAR @ 6"
57 PAR @ 12"
42 PAR @ 18"
31 PAR @ 24"
Notes: Numbers are for a single fixture. The source link shows numbers for multiple fixtures configured like a T5 setup as well, worth checking out.

E.Shine Systems 3G LED Aquarium Lights
PAR Data(Source)
Notes: The different configurations of this light series are much too extensive to list in this thread. Click on the source link for a full list of the 3G LED fixtures offered by E.Shine. Each page has very comprehensive PAR data, so just poke around a bit.

E.Shine Systems Aqua Washer
PAR Data(Source)
Notes: Complete graphical PAR data is provided in the source link for this fixture.

E.Shine Systems 60W CREE Classic
PAR Data(Source)
Notes: Complete graphical PAR data is provided in the source link for this fixture. Looks to be very high powered, more suited for marine use. Could use for plants if it was hung fairly high above the tank, or good for deep tanks.

Ecoxotic Panorama Freshwater Module :biggrin:
PAR Data(Source) PAR Vs. Distance from source
161 PAR @ surface (3" through air)
101 PAR @ 7"
60 PAR @ 12"
36 PAR @ 18"
Notes: One should easily cover the footprint of a 10 gallon tank with medium-high light.

Ecoxotic Stunner Strip
PAR Data(Source) PAR vs. Distance from source
105 PAR @ surface (3" through air)
86 PAR @ 7"
71 PAR @ 12"
59 PAR @ 15"
49 PAR @ 18"
Notes: Please note that the above reading is for a 4 strip array. I don't know why the testers did this since it gives us no real basis on which to judge this fixture. Good catch Erica.

Finnex FugeRay
PAR Data(Source) PAR vs. Distance from source
10" fixture: 49 PAR @ 6", 18 PAR @ 12", 9 PAR @ 18"
12" fixture: 62 PAR @ 6", 25 PAR @ 12", 13 PAR @ 18"
Notes: Amazingly low cost for an LED fixture that puts out medium light for nano tanks. Nice slim design, too. It's a good idea to check out the source link on this one, gives offset PAR values so coverage can be approximated. One of the easiest to read PAR charts i've seen. Also comes equipped with blue moonlights. Big thanks to Lowe for the data on these.

Finnex Ray II
PAR Data(Source) PAR vs. Distance from source
16" fixture: 130 PAR @ 6", 49 PAR @ 12", 27 PAR @ 18"
18" fixture: 153 PAR @ 6", 72 PAR @ 12", 37 PAR @ 18"
24" fixture: 179 PAR @ 6", 87 PAR @ 12", 55 PAR @ 18"
Notes: Great value priced fixture for various sized tanks. It's a good idea to check out the source link on this one, gives offset PAR values so coverage can be approximated. One of the easiest to read PAR charts i've seen. Big thanks to Lowe for the data on these.

Innovative Marine SKKYE Lights :eek:
PAR Data(Source)
Just look at the source link on this one, PAR data is very well explained.

Kessil A150 LED Aquarium Light :eek:
PAR Data(Source) PAR vs. Distance from source
2888 PAR @ 0"
2000 PAR @ surface (4" through air)
400-500 PAR @ 8"
80-90 PAR @ 15"
Notes: Very powerful lights, designed for reef applications. If you go through the thread in the source link, there is a lot more information pertaining to this light. An example I found interesting was the 20g long lit with a single one of these lights hung pretty high above the tank, and still growing corals (view here). Credit for PAR data goes to Frick.

Kessil A150W Amazon Sun :biggrin:
PAR Data(Source 1, Source 2) PAR vs. Distance from source
56 PAR @ 18"
42 PAR @ 21"
34 PAR @ 24"
Notes: Seem to be about perfect for getting medium light to most medium sized aquariums. Great coverage for such a small light. Credit for PAR data goes to propsi.

Marineland Single Bright
PAR Data(Source) PAR vs. Distance from source
18-24" fixture: 8 PAR @ 12", 3 PAR @ 24"
24-36" fixture: 10 PAR @ 12", 4 PAR @ 24"
36-48" fixture: 11 PAR @ 12", 4.5 PAR @ 24"
48-60" fixture: 16 PAR @ 12", 6 PAR @ 24"
Notes: Probably not suitable for even low light plants unless the tank is very shallow.

Marineland Double Bright
PAR Data(Source) PAR vs. Distance from source
18-24 inch fixture: 30 PAR @ 12", 17 PAR @ 24"
24-36 inch fixture: 35 PAR @ 12", 19 PAR @ 24"
36-48 inch fixture: 54 PAR @ 12", 26 PAR @ 24"
48-60 inch fixture: 73 PAR @ 12", 35 PAR @ 24"
Notes: Should provide low light for most tanks, depending on fixture size.

Marineland Reef Capable :eek:
PAR Data(Source) PAR vs. Distance from source
1876 PAR @ surface
253 PAR @ 6"
170 PAR @ 12"
110 PAR @ 18"
80 PAR @ 24"
Notes: Would probably have to be hung at least 1 foot above most tanks to prevent lots of algae. Great for high light on a tall tank as well. Thanks goes out again to AquaNerd blog, much better than the information in Marineland's catalog.

Maxspect Mazarra LED Lighting System :eek:
PAR Data(Source) PAR vs. Distance from source
350 PAR @ 20"
Notes: Check out the source link on this one, gives coverage data as well. This system is designed for reef applications, so put out very, very high PAR. They use the newest CREE XM-L emmiters, which are very powerful. Probably too powerful for anything a plant enthusiast could use. Click here for an image of what a reefer has done with this setup, and the extremely high PAR he's getting. Credit for PAR reedings on that image goes to Acrotrdco.

TMC AquaBeam 1500XG Ocean White :eek:
PAR Data(Source) PAR Vs. Distance from source
231 PAR @ surface (7” through air)
161 PAR @ 10”
104 PAR @ 14”
78 PAR @ 19”
52 PAR @ 25”
Notes: Uses 10 x 9000K Cree XP-G diodes.

TMC GroBeam 1000 Natural Daylight
PAR Data(Source) PAR Vs. Distance from source
195 PAR @ surface (7” through air)
120 PAR @ 10”
80 PAR @ 14”
52 PAR @ 19”
41 PAR @ 25”
Notes: Uses 10 x 6500K Cree XP-E Compact PowerLEDS.

WingoLED Fluval Edge Savior
PAR Data(Source)
Notes: Click on the source link for par data here, shows PAR values for various points at the bottom of the aquarium. Very nice solution for the Fluval Edge line of aquariums, where space and coverage are in inherent issue with this tank design. Credit for PAR data goes to WingoAgency.

WingoLED PAR38 Bulbs
PAR38 15x1W WingoLED DayLight 12,000K
PAR38 12x1W WingoLED TriBand 60 degree
PAR38 18x1W WingoLED Perfect Sprectrum
PAR38 15x1W WingoLED DayLight 6,700K
Notes: Just click on the links for these individually, great graphical par data is provided. Credit for PAR data goes to WingoAgency.
 
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#181 ·
Oh and a little tidbit for reference. I had mild success growing low light plants under completely blue actinic LEDs designed for corals. This leads me to believe that actinic light would work just fine for plants if it met the PAR right requirements of the plant in question.

Oh and about these posts, I am still AWOL and busy with life, just got some free time during my break between quarters. If you have any questions about these two posts hopefully someone will clarify (bless you hoppy) because I probably won't be around to do so. Happy growing!
 
#182 ·
Thank you so much. For the first time, I think I actually have a comprehensive understanding of the values and stuff that I am looking at when I purchase or research lamps and fixtures. I really appreciate your simple explanations and examples, but I still have one question left unanswered, this being more application oriented than technical:

Given that the fixture/lamps are putting out desirable PAR ratings at various tank levels, are the color temperatures offered by LED fixtures (designed for reef applications) desirable for planted applications? For example, many LED fixtures are classified by color temp (which I now understand is not the whole story) but it is still the largest chunk of information I have on the lamp at my disposal. So, can I use 10K mixed with actinic LEDs over a planted tank with equal growth and health to what I would see out of a tank that uses comparable t5s of a plant specific color temperature?

Sorry if I made that confusing lol you guys must hate my questions.

Joe
 
#184 ·
What about the Innovative Marine Utility light? It comes in actinic, 10KK and 65KK. Theres a good chance two or three of these will be my next lighting purchase.

It says 120 lumens per watt on the website but I feel like thats not enough info...They don't say anything about its spread or coverage at x inches over the substrate. Just from fooling with them at the store I'd say you'd need one per 15". Theyre designed for refugium use.


Joe
 
#195 · (Edited)
I had 100+umol at the substrate and can't get my co2 high enough to prevent stunting in some plants. That's with a sump and overflow, so lots of o2.

Now, that isn't the light saturation point. I believe that is 600umol or more, but dot quote me. In my specific setup, with my livestock, after 130umol a the substrate or so I can't add any more co2 due to negative effects on the fish. I only double my par from the bottom to top because my light is raised so high. I'm not sure how others are running such high light tanks.
 
#200 ·
My PAR measurements for a Marineland 18" - 24" Double Bright LED

Just measured my Marineland 18" to 24" Double Bright with a PAR meter and got seriously low readings.

For "reference":

The tank is 10G. 20"L x 10"W x 12"H
The substrate is 3" @ highest point and 1" @ lowest sloping diagonally.
Glass lid (required for this fixture) on top and it has a brown opaque hinge at the center...
The fixture is centered on top and mounted on the tank's edge (as close to the lid as the mounting legs will allow it)
Water level up to the rim.
Apogee PAR meter QMSS-ELEC

I am not an expert in measuring PAR and what I did is place the sensor in the tank and kept it upright. Also the PAR meter is not mine so I can't say when was it last calibrated, etc.

On the corners: 005-008
front and back sides: 012-015
left and right sides: 008-011
Center lengthwise: 025-034

Like I said before, these measurements may be off since I am not an expert and can't vouch for the instrument's calibration but my plants do show signs of inadequate PAR.
 
#203 ·
The hinge does block the blue LEDs in the center...

Without glass lid I am getting about the same measurements except directly underneath the fixture

On the corners: 005 - 011
Front and Back sides: 012 - 015
Left and right sides: 010 - 012
Center lengthwise: 020 - 054

The Center lengthwise fluctuated a lot and within very short distances. It would be over 50 right under the center of the fixture and then a little bit to the right or left of that it would be somewhere in the 20s. Then 30s or 40s as I moved the sensor underneath the group of LEDs on either side and then 10s on the tank's edge... for example [10-34-20-54-24-38-14].
 
#204 ·
That fluctuation means you get "spotlighting" with that fixture at that distance. Either the LEDs have optics or they are spaced too far apart. With any LED light there will be a fluctuation in intensity as you move from directly under one LED to directly under the next one, but that fluctuation shouldn't be that extreme, in my opinion.
 
#205 ·
rvel, check out this thread: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=134094
the op had 2 double brights on top of his 12g and ended up using just one around 8" above the top of the tank.

raising yours up would at least help to reduce the fluctuation of PAR across the substrate
 
#206 ·
Thanks guys for your replies. It is my understanding that the longer ones like the 36" used in the thread link S&KGray posted are better that the short one. In my case, I decided that this fixture doesn't work for me. It requires a lid because it is not resistant to water at all and that makes summer temperatures hard to deal with. Also I wanted a more uniform spread at the substrate but being so close to the top this will not happen and by rising it higher I lose PAR which is already very low in some areas of the tank... And most important, my plants don't like it.
 
#208 ·
The finnex ray II, I dont see any par values for a 36'' fixture. I was trying to estimate it but I cant lol. Can anyone help me?

Finnex Ray II
PAR Data(Source) PAR vs. Distance from source
16" fixture: 130 PAR @ 6", 49 PAR @ 12", 27 PAR @ 18"
18" fixture: 153 PAR @ 6", 72 PAR @ 12", 37 PAR @ 18"
24" fixture: 179 PAR @ 6", 87 PAR @ 12", 55 PAR @ 18"
Notes: Great value priced fixture for various sized tanks. It's a good idea to check out the source link on this one, gives offset PAR values so coverage can be approximated. One of the easiest to read PAR charts i've seen. Big thanks to Lowe for the data on these.
 
#210 ·
PAR Values(Source) - Thanks Gnomecatcher for the suggestion!
Values between 10-30 are considered low light.
Values between 30-80 are considered medium light.
Values between 80-120 are considered high light.
Keep in mind that these values are what is currently accepted by the community as accurate, and aren't set in stone.

Finnex FugeRay
PAR Data(Source) PAR vs. Distance from source
10" fixture: 49 PAR @ 6", 18 PAR @ 12", 9 PAR @ 18"
12" fixture: 62 PAR @ 6", 25 PAR @ 12", 13 PAR @ 18"
Notes: Amazingly low cost for an LED fixture that puts out medium light for nano tanks. Nice slim design, too. It's a good idea to check out the source link on this one, gives offset PAR values so coverage can be approximated. One of the easiest to read PAR charts i've seen. Also comes equipped with blue moonlights. Big thanks to Lowe for the data on these.

Finnex Ray II
PAR Data(Source) PAR vs. Distance from source
16" fixture: 130 PAR @ 6", 49 PAR @ 12", 27 PAR @ 18"
18" fixture: 153 PAR @ 6", 72 PAR @ 12", 37 PAR @ 18"
24" fixture: 179 PAR @ 6", 87 PAR @ 12", 55 PAR @ 18"
Notes: Great value priced fixture for various sized tanks. It's a good idea to check out the source link on this one, gives offset PAR values so coverage can be approximated. One of the easiest to read PAR charts i've seen. Big thanks to Lowe for the data on these.
The source link for these two fixtures links right back to this thread. I would like to see the source link for these fixtures.
 
#214 ·
Has anyone ever tested the par of a compact fluorescent light bulb like in a room light? I was thinking about changing over to those to possibly save some mula on the electric bill but keep all my plants alive. Currently have 160 watts... IK watts, that was what I was told I needed when I started my tank 6 weeks ago, over my 72 bow (4xT12 6500k). I saw something on youtube about this kid who used Compact Fluorescent light bulbs over his tank and had some good results over the two weeks. Is that a bad idea to change over and does the watts mater on those at all for PAR readings?
 
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