The Planted Tank Forum banner

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.
 
See less See more
#252 ·
Colormax bulbs

First, sorry for the way that chart came out it was that way from Aqueon and I don't have the time to edit it for the forum :frown:
Second, looking at the color spectrum for the colormax bulbs for this fixture all they do is replace a couple of the white LEDs with red ones, so if you read the chart it will give you the PAR value for 1, 2, and 3 bulbs which should be pretty similar but what you do get is a shift of spectrum from blue to red slightly because of a peak in red light from the red LED's (the spectrum is on the side of the bulb package just compare them)...

so given that the plants absorb blue light (the daywhite bulbs have just a blue spike) better you would most likely get better growth from the day white bulbs, the red emitters will still help and not all together detract from your par too much I would think but are really only good to adjust the visible color to a warmer hue?

I was running 2 colormax and 1 daywhite over my tank, I just switched to 2 day whites and 1 colormax, and I think my growth is slightly better with 2 day whites in place, and not much of a color difference. I'm also thinking that if I bust off the tabs that hold the bulbs and strap 4 bulbs together and add another power supply I can fit 4 side by side in the fixture increasing the output.... or maybe i'll just mod it some more (already did the moonlight) and replace the aqueon bulbs with high output LED strips. sorry... rambling :)
 
#254 ·
One company will build an 18 watt led fixture using six-three watt emitters, another company will use 36-half watt emitters. Are there advantages of one build over the other? Does one have better light penetration then the other? Will one produce more heat then the other? Would it be adventagous for a home builder to use more smaller emitters and use a wider range of light wave lengthes of light produced? Just askin.
 
#257 ·
I'm planning on making a diy fixture, using LEDs from superbrightleds.com does anyone know if the will work? They have LEDs that put out the right spectrum. Just not sure if they can make it through 18" or so of water. The LEDs I was wanting to put in put out 7800k for the white I was also going to add some red, blue, and green to help bring out colors in the fish and plants. Not sure if 7800k is to high. Please give any advice/knowledge
 
#258 ·
Zack, are you giving up on your Aqueon Modular LEDs? I have 2 white and 1 colormax in a 24" fixture, I'm just not convinced yet. I am in Milwaukee, WI, so Aqueon is a local manufacturer for me. Pretty much all of the LFS's I visited vouched for them, saying they are legit for medium-light planted tanks.

I am also quite interested in a DIY LED fixture.
 
#263 ·
Illumina 260 5' LED by Aquaristik

Hello,

Has any research been done on the above mentioned LED fixture? I have white, both blues and the optional reds. This unit came to me when I purchased my 300 gallon deep dimension tank. It was set up for reef and I am told this is a great fixture for that purpose. Mine however is for a planted Discus tank. I assume this light has enough strength and spectrum for freshwater plants but I am trying to get a handle on the intensity setings for each of the colors as they are adjustable. I do not have a PAR meter and going back to the manufacturer asking about guidance for freshwater plants was a waste of time.

Any suggestions?

John
 
#264 ·
Hello,

Has any research been done on the above mentioned LED fixture? I have white, both blues and the optional reds. This unit came to me when I purchased my 300 gallon deep dimension tank. It was set up for reef and I am told this is a great fixture for that purpose. Mine however is for a planted Discus tank. I assume this light has enough strength and spectrum for freshwater plants but I am trying to get a handle on the intensity setings for each of the colors as they are adjustable. I do not have a PAR meter and going back to the manufacturer asking about guidance for freshwater plants was a waste of time.

Any suggestions?

John
 
#265 · (Edited)
Finnex Ray II & Marineland Plant LED

Chaos is coming over today and we are going to use his PAR meter to get the actual PAR on a 48" Finnex Ray II in a 75 gallon tank with the fixture resting 1/4" away from All-glass tank lids.

Here is a graphic showing what the manufacturer gives you for PAR for both fixtures. Later, I will add another image with the PAR results.

Triangle Font Symmetry Parallel Tints and shades


Font Rectangle Parallel Slope Diagram


Finnex PAR link:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=189944
 
#266 · (Edited)
Based on measurements taken a locations shown with a light meter.

Measurements not taken at the 24" depth.

Left measurement is taken directly under the light, the next one to the right at halfway between the tank wall and he light, and the far right measurement was taken as close to the tank glass as possible.

Another user also posted PAR readings for the same fixture: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=293242&highlight=
 

Attachments

#267 ·
Just bought an additional kessil 150w amazon

I've been running a single amazon 150w kessil over my 32gal Ada tank for a year now with fairly well results. Only issue would be my wendtii seems to be growing fairly tall and my liliopsis brasilinsis is not very thick. The additional light should make the tank thrive. Ill post a b4 and after photo once I've installed it and ran it for a week.

BTW these lights kick ass one just does not spread out well enought to cover the 24" tank. I have to raise it a good 8-10" above the surface to get corner to corner coverage.
 
#268 ·
I've just received the BeamsWork Green Element EVO Reef LED Light Fixture 18" from Aquatraders.com. It has 10 3 watt LEDs, three of which are Actinic 460nm LEDs. I did some simple PAR readings with my seney Reef (it's probably not as professional as some but it may give a bit of an idea for the ratings). I thought I'd share (since I couldn't find any online yet). All the ratings are taken through a 1/4" glass cover in my 90g tank without the brackets (directly laying on the glass). 21" was the lowest I could go.

All lights:
0" - 778 PAR
4" - 350 PAR
8" - 258 PAR
12" - 168 PAR
18" - 105 PAR
21" - 80 PAR

Actinic 460nm LEDs ONLY:
12" - 85 PAR
18" - 44 PAR

I've also done some readings for the 48" Odyssea T5 HO (also bought from aquatraders.com) but I'll have to find another thread to post those since this is LED only.
 
#269 ·
Are all of these measurements taken through just air and water? Most glass is only about 90% transparent, and additionally many types of glass are more strongly adsorbing in the UV spectrum. If I have a glass cover between my light and the water how much of an effect does it have on the PAR value?

I'd suspect a 10-20% change, but that is just a guess, does anyone have any data available? It will vary due to different spectra, but a rough estimate can probably be applied to all existing data if we get a few samples.
 
#305 ·
Current LED



I have had the Current Satellite + on my 46 bow planted tank for 6 months. I am not impressed. Not sure about PAR values but the fixture is dimmer than my T5 fixture and the plants are not doing as well as they were with the T5's. I still have 1 T5 bulb on the tank with the Current LED.

Several species of stem plants are rotting at the base or have totally died. I could not keep Pogostomen Helferi alive but my HC is doing fine. Growth of all plants has slowed. I am not sure it the problem is the penetration of light to the bottom of the tank or the spectrum.
 
#274 ·
ok so the par data is as follows

at 22inch deep 18 inch of water to substraight
standard 55 gal tank so 12 inch wide

at bottem edge of glass 55

bottem middle of tank 78

bottem front of glass 56

middle of tank say 12inch down mid 120 at edges 144 middle

at almost the surface i get a 250 edges and near 300 at middle

and that is 1 light at 100% i dimed it down to 90 and saw about a 3 par drop

this was all tested with a hoppy diy par light he built and calibrated

light is the build my led 48inch 60 led show tank spectrum
 
#279 ·
All of those readings were taken with a clear shot to the fixture. I removed as many floaters as possible from all of the tanks and whatever remained was pushed to the very edges. I would be happy to take the readings again though with all of them completely removed. I also have several of the 20w floods I could take measurements on as well if anyone is interested. Same goes with cheap 100w matrixes. Readings on Zoo-Meds new fixtures as well as AI Sols, Vegas, and Radion 1st gens are in the making.
 
#281 ·
Eheim Aquastyle Power LED (x2)

Hi all,

I just got Hoppy's PAR meter, so I would like to share some readings from my 9 gallon Aquastyle shrimp cube tank (12"x12"x14")

From substrate to the top it's 13" of water column.
I have two lights over the tank, got the extra one on line ($85).
Lights are 1.5" above the water.

Readings:

at the bottom (13.5" from the light) I got 55 PAR
midway - 85
just bellow the light - 300

Cheers.
Denis

 
#282 ·
Hi all,

I just got Hoppy's PAR meter, so I would like to share some readings from my 9 gallon Aquastyle shrimp cube tank (12"x12"x14")

From substrate to the top it's 13" of water column.
I have two lights over the tank, got the extra one on line ($85).
Lights are 1.5" above the water.

Readings:

at the bottom (13.5" from the light) I got 55 PAR
midway - 85
just bellow the light - 300

Cheers.
Denis

Mahalo Denis!

I've got a similar setup w/ 2 PowerLEDs over a DoAqua 30cm cube. Was wondering what my substrate surface PAR reading would be. I have a mix of Hydrocotyle and HC that will be covering the foreground of my re-scape. I really appreciate you sharing your findings. Thanks again.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top