Changing the spectrum of Chinese black box led light

[Tangina20]

Does anyone have experience changing the spectrum on their Chinese black box led light? I’ve read online that blue lights around 450nm and 10k white lights are best for coral growth? I was also wondering if I need to get rid of the red and green and yellow led’s. If I take them out should I replace them with blues or whites?



Here is a diagram of my current spectrum.

 

[TheEngineer]

@redfishbluefish has torn down quite a few IIRC.

 

[redfishbluefish]

If you're comfortable soldering, it's fairly simple. You'll need:

Soldering iron
Solder
Solder sucker or solder wick
Thermal grease
New LED beads.

 

[Tangina20]

If you're comfortable soldering, it's fairly simple. You'll need:

Soldering iron
Solder
Solder sucker or solder wick
Thermal grease
New LED beads.

Do you have any recommendations on what spectrums to change out? And where to get the diodes?

 

[hart24601]

I have replaced some before, however why are you wanting to change spectrum? Most of these haveore white than most like to view.

 

[Tangina20]

I have replaced some before, however why are you wanting to change spectrum? Most of these haveore white than most like to view.

I am looking for better growth, from what I found researching 6500k whites are very good for it.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I'm very happy with my current fixtures...SBReef Lights Basic. Here's the makeup of theirs:

According to their website, 450 and 420 blues are important. Check the info HERE.

 

[hart24601]

I would suggest choosing a spectrum you like to view. The growth benefits of particular spectrums do not seem consistent amoung coral species - that is some grow faster under different spectrums and even then I don't think we have conclusive evidence of what spectrum for what species and the growth gained by switching. It seems more a point for arguing with other hobbiests than anything!

The intensity of the light (par) is probably going to play a much larger role. Also flow and chemistry are going to have much greater impact to growth than spectrum ime.

I would also consider feeding the coral size appropriate foods. Many scientific studies have clearly shown amazing growth increases with feeding. Baby brine shrimp for sps.

Just food for thought. Compared to the above change in spectrum I don't think will provide significant growth changes and certainly not with all species of coral.

You could also just run the blue channel a bit lower unless you are not getting the PAR you want running all at 100%

 

[Tangina20]

I would suggest choosing a spectrum you like to view. The growth benefits of particular spectrums do not seem consistent amoung coral species - that is some grow faster under different spectrums and even then I don't think we have conclusive evidence of what spectrum for what species and the growth gained by switching. It seems more a point for arguing with other hobbiests than anything!

The intensity of the light (par) is probably going to play a much larger role. Also flow and chemistry are going to have much greater impact to growth than spectrum ime.

I would also consider feeding the coral size appropriate foods. Many scientific studies have clearly shown amazing growth increases with feeding. Baby brine shrimp for sps.

Just food for thought. Compared to the above change in spectrum I don't think will provide significant growth changes and certainly not with all species of coral.

You could also just run the blue channel a bit lower unless you are not getting the PAR you want running all at 100%

What white and blue spectrum is best for viewing in your opinion?

 

[dantimdad]

I am about to start on a mod thread with a pictorial for doing just this.

I will post as soon as I start.

 

[dantimdad]

From what I have seen and researched. You need to lose two of those reds and change them to 420nm. Make almost all the blues 445 to 455 nm blues and throw in some more 420nm. Honestly I would only leave about 2 to 4 of the 470s they make the tank look like windex in my opinion and growth is better under royal blues and violets.

 

[hart24601]

What white and blue spectrum is best for viewing in your opinion?

That SB reef spectrum looks solid and also the post above about 420s is good advise too!

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Does anyone have experience changing the spectrum on their Chinese black box led light? I’ve read online that blue lights around 450nm and 10k white lights are best for coral growth? I was also wondering if I need to get rid of the red and green and yellow led’s. If I take them out should I replace them with blues or whites?



Here is a diagram of my current spectrum.

Remove 6 whites and replace them with 440-450 blues, remove the 6 3000k and replace them with 1400k, remove 2 reds and replace with 410-420 uv.

 

[Tangina20]

Thanks for the advice, does anyone know where to buy the led lights? And should I buy Cree led?

 

[Tangina20]

I am about to start on a mod thread with a pictorial for doing just this.

I will post as soon as I start.

Awesome that will help a lot!

 

[dantimdad]

I am just waiting on the rest of the unmounted violets and the thermal adhesive to get here and I will get started.

 

[symon_say]

If you don't have soldering skills you can get a retrofit kit from sb reef lights.

 

[dantimdad]

If you don't have soldering skills you can get a retrofit kit from sb reef lights.

Forgot about this.

 

[symon_say]

Forgot about this.

Any reason in particular?

 

[dantimdad]

I forgot about it being available. Not that I want anyone to forget it. LOL!

It's a viable alternative for those who happen to have a black box and don't want to solder in LEDs to get a better spectrum.