Help understanding shimmer, disco, etc

[jakebarrierreef]

In reading LED light comparison threads, users often report levels of “shimmer” or “disco effect” to compare how different light sources behave. I only have experience with an AI Prime and I’m struggling to understand what these differences look like in-person.

Does anyone have solid video comparisons of light types?

For example, how is the shimmer of a puck light (Prime, Reefi) different from a point source (Kessil) than panel (Reefbreeders) than strip (Orphek, AI Blade)?

 

[GlassMunky]

Disco effect and shimmer are different things.
Disco effect is where you see the indfividual colors of leds on the sand or rocks.
Shimmer is like the effect you see in the ocean with areas of brighter lights shimmering over the reef.

 

[GlassMunky]

Disco Ball Effect - Definition

Hey everyone, while doing research on LED lighting I often hear the term disco ball effect but I have never seen it defined. I have done a search on the boards here at NR and I have yet to find a definition. Is it when all of the colors do not blend together and you will get shots of individual c...

www.nano-reef.com

This graphic explains the disco effect

 

[GlassMunky]

This is shimmer

 

[Reefering1]

In my opinion, all led lights(most) create a fast moving disco ball effect. Only Halides give a realistic, sun- like, caustic lines (shimmer).
Surface agitation Influences blending of light going into the water. If using led, you can put a diffuser under the fixture. I use one, like what you find in drop ceiling fluorescent lighting, under my 3 hydra64s. Otherwise the tank would be unbearable to look at until halides come on. You can move the diffuser. the closer to the light, the less effective it will be. Further from the light(closer to the water) and it will diffuser the light better, thus giving you control of the disco ball effect