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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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#291 ·
Fluval LED Aqualife & Plant Full Spectrum Performance LED Strip Light

Model A3981:
91 - 115 cm(36 - 46 in) (Other sizes available)

Full spectrum LED mix for FW plant growth and viewing.
Wattage: 35W
Lumens: 2980 LM
Lux: 5952
CRI: 5200K

PAR is approx 300 closest to the source measured at 3” depth, per Fluval.
 
#292 ·
Has anyone used Orphek's lights yet and tested them? I reached out and they have a Planted Tank version of their Atlantik (pendant) now. Their SW setups show high PAR out of water and decent in-tank SW setups. Can't get much info from them on what the FW system puts out and at what ranges.
 
#299 ·
"I think" is where I'm at on this one so could anyone say "I know" ?
Is/are the bulbs(white) on a Finnex Ray II the same bulbs as the Planted+
or are the bulbs(white) on the Planted+ the same as on the Fugeray ?
This question has come up many times because the Fugeray is much lower in PAR than a Ray II.
 
#300 ·
Don't know if this piece of information is available, just want to give out my first contribution to the community. It is about the PAR values for the Finnex Ray2



According to the Finnex representative, the Finnex Ray2 is better than the Planted Plus for big tanks
 
#311 ·
If my tank is 20 inches deep, and then say I have 3-4 inches of substrate, would either the Planted+ or Ray2 be enough for high-light requiring carpet plants? They would be sitting at 17 inches below the rank rim at the lowest. According to OP a PAR above 80 is considered high. I guess its cutting it too close?
 
#304 ·
Can we get the Fluval and Marineland planted tank light in here?

For the Marineland the (not very specific) manufacturer specs are ...our light has 1 watt, 6,500K white leds and 3 watt RGB LEDS (RGB means 460 nm blue, 660 nm red, and 660 green). Each type is a different spectrum and serves a different purpose for plant growth. PAR/LUX at a depth of 12" would be 172/10530 and at 24" would be 83/4810. These numbers are for all four models.
 
#307 ·
I cannot find the blog that described a DIY retrofit of the stock light on the Fluval Spec V with solderless Cree LEDs.ÂÂ[censored]

Does anyone recall this discussion or have a recommendation for how this is done on the Fluval SpecÂÂ[censored]V?

Your advice would be appreciated.ÂÂ[censored]


Sincerely,ÂÂ[censored]


BarryG
 
#308 ·
i was just about to buy two marineland dual led light fixtures. My tank dimensions are 36x18x18" and i will have about 2.5in of soil when i put it together. My question is that i think 1of the 36"-48" would do good for low to at most mid so i was thinking in this case that two of them would give me a high range? IS this what i should be doing or should i only be getting one fixture. Also i would like to add that they would be hanging about 1foot above the water. Hope someone can answer this question! It would really help in my decision making before i go out and blow through 500$
 
#313 · (Edited)
This illustrates a point with LEDs if you notice the wavelengths they output.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2198810

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/...uatic-plant-club/86658-experiments-light.html

Note how T5's and MH output more light in those needed wavelengths; hence why I wouldn't use LEDs alone but rather as a supplement to MH or T5
not really...
It is an option, and one reefers lean to but in no way holds w/ a proper choice of LED's.. just ask the hort. world, when factoring in cost of operation..
sure 350W MH beats out a 20W led setup by sheer brute force and wasted watts..



http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/aquarium_lighting.html

In tests for plant nurseries (Green House, Hydroponics) full spectrum LEDs such as the newer generation TMC GroBeam Aquarium Lights, 3-10w LED Grow Lights, or even the older generation LED Grow Lights have been proven to surpass even Metal Halide Lights in both growth and useful output.

The picture to the left is the plant growth results comparing the same Kelvin output LED and Metal Halide Lights as measured by a PAR Meter (please click to enlarge view).
LED Summary; The bottom line is when you compare an LED Aquarium light to the many popular CFLs and even T5s in terms of lumens per watt, focused lumens, PAR, PUR, lower wasted yellow/green light energy, low heat output, energy consumption, long life (25,000 to 50,000 hours vs. 8000 hours), the modern recent generations of LED Fixtures are generally the best available aquarium light.
This includes the patented emitter ultra premium high PUR per watt AquaRay AquaBeam or GroBeam LEDs as well as the still VERY capable Aqua Illuminations, EcoTech Radion, ZetLight (aka Maxspect), and few others.
Most premium LEDs are a better light even in long term cost since (as an example) a 12 Watt Aqua Ray GroBeam 6500K daylight (either #600 Strip or Mini #400 Tile) can easily replace a up to a 80 Watt power compact (also daylight) when you compare ALL aspects of lighting as presented in this article.

When compared to even older T8/T12 aquarium lights, a forth generation TMC AquaBeam & GroBeam High End LEDs require only 15% (or less) of the wattage for the required light energy of a planted or reef aquarium.
This is as little as .6 watt per gallon for high light planted aquariums and .8 watt per gallon for Reef for the TMC AquaRay and 1.25 -1.5 watt per gallon for the ZetLight, EcoTech & Aqua Illuminations, and 1.75 -2.25 for many other LEDs such as the Ocean Revive, Taotronics, etc. (Acroporas may require a higher wattage input per gallon)

Any flaws of LED aquarium lights are quickly disappearing and based on the energy savings for the premium high PUR LEDs with PWM technology as compared to MH.
In fact for Planted Freshwater the top LED Lights (with the highest PUR) have few limits in their applications.
 
#316 ·
The video was not to endorse any LED, so I did not provide PAR or PUR values. Keep in mind PAR values can be very mis-leading because a LED could have a smaller PAR number, but have more PUR. Making an overall fixture with less "PAR" having much more growing power.

It's recommended to take a look at each emitter used in a LED to see our the PAR values are coming about.

Someone cannot say, oh this plant takes "this much PAR" to grow, because PAR is subjective from LED fixture to fixture.

http://www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2012/03/pur-vs-par-in-aquarium-lighting.html
 
#318 ·
almost any LED w/ 1W or better emitters.. Or "a 'lot" of .5W ones..

how much is the budget and how much control do you want?
65-75's are wide so how much shading at the surface will you tolerate?
 
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