Can 30w get 300 par?

dawson reynolds

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I saw a 30 watt light on amazon that was getting over 300 par in a test at the surface. I was told that a 30 watt light cannot got that par but a a80 that is only 15 Watts can get close to 150 par. Can someone explain this?
 

reeferfoxx

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Can you link the light?
 

reeferfoxx

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As far as I can tell that is just a redesigned Lumini Asta 20? I've created a par chart for the Asta 20 here.

Lumini Asta 20 Marine

61biLex9-xL._SL1300_.jpg

Light tested dry at 100% intensity outside of water with 180 degree lens.

3 inches from center
3inchpar.jpg

5 Inches from center
5inchpar.jpg

9 inches from center
9inchpar.jpg

9" from light with a 10" diameter, I measure par values 5 inches from center on each side.

parlayout.jpg

Final thoughts. It's a decent pico light with an extremely long gooseneck. Not designed for anything larger than a 10g cube.
 

chipmunkofdoom2

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Surface PAR, while useful, is not the total story. This is likely only a few inches below the light. Almost any LED light is probably going to produce impressive numbers if you put a PAR or lux meter a few inches directly below the center of the light.

Check the post by @reeferfoxx then check this post for some unofficial Kessil A80 PAR numbers. The PAR numbers for the Kessil A80 are almost exactly the same as the numbers posted by @reeferfoxx at the 12" mark. Similarly, the Kessil A80 probably measures about 300 PAR if you were to measure it right below the diode. About 12" down in the tank, where the PAR really matters, don't expect more than 50 - 70, from the Kessil or the Koto you purchased.
 

oreo54

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PAR is dependent on power and area lit..
Made up example:
you can get 1000PAR w/ 30W IF you lens it to cover the area of a penny..

For a round about proof..
https://www.rapidtables.com/calc/light/lumen-to-lux-calculator.html

Say you have a 30W LED that was measured to produce 2000 Lumens
over a 2 foot diameter you would calculate 1713 LUX which one can guessitimate is about 25PAR

Change the diameter to 1/2ft you get 27410 LUX or 409PAR (conversion factor is divide LUX by 67) out of the same 2000 lumens.

1635 PAR at 1/4" diameter 2000 Lumens

ROUGHLY.. current LED's are around 100Lumens/Watt..
 
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rock_lobster

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Yes of course it can at 6 inches below. Ive measured them at 600 PAR at 6 inches but 200 Par at 12 inches.
 
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dawson reynolds

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Surface PAR, while useful, is not the total story. This is likely only a few inches below the light. Almost any LED light is probably going to produce impressive numbers if you put a PAR or lux meter a few inches directly below the center of the light.

Check the post by @reeferfoxx then check this post for some unofficial Kessil A80 PAR numbers. The PAR numbers for the Kessil A80 are almost exactly the same as the numbers posted by @reeferfoxx at the 12" mark. Similarly, the Kessil A80 probably measures about 300 PAR if you were to measure it right below the diode. About 12" down in the tank, where the PAR really matters, don't expect more than 50 - 70, from the Kessil or the Koto you purchased.[/QUOTEI didn’t mention that he was also getting about 100 par at the bottom of a nuvo 10. Would this light be able to grow most corals then?
 

reeferfoxx

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It would grow softies and lps. Might have to double it up for any sps.
 

jda

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IF the area is small enough, you can. I can max out my PAR meter (Apogee 510) if I get close enough tot he lights... but I would cover an area like the size of a silver dollar.
 

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