I'm currently using a Maxspect Ethereal over my Mangrove trees. But I have a Kessil H80 Tuna Flora which would use less electricity. Is it okay to use this in the grow setting (pink) for Mangroves or is it better to use the 165 watt Ethereal? Or could I use the H80 on a different spectrum like blue?
First what size are these tree? Seedlings? 2 feet tall?
Second colors can change the plants growth form.. All red light (or or mostly) vs all blue light (or mostly) changes growth patterns and leaf shape. "I" have no idea of how this affects mangroves though high red usually stimulated plant elongation and all blue can stunt them.
Your mangroves are not CO2 restricted and natively receive tons of par. (up to 2000 for short periods of time)
Point is unless seedlings I see no reason to use a 15W led over such sun loving plants.
If seedlings fine for now but will be replaced in the future.
The "problem" w/ the Ethereal is that so much power is dedicated to blue which is only a problem for visible plant height growth (possibly).
Clear blue skys are like 10000K so it's not like they don't "see" higher blue than the normal 5500-6500k daylight
You do have 2 channels (A & B) that are predominantly full spectrum.
And as to red/blue.. certainly works..Random thread.. "I" don't care for the look preferring a natural light approach.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/mangrove-lagoon.739121/
I'd stick to pg 3.. for your own sanity.. :)
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lighting-for-mangroves.330879/page-3
People seem to gravitate around about 200 PAR is a sweet spot.
In lux daylight terms that is about 9000 LUX
Use a lux meter via phone or app IF using whitish light.
https://www.waveformlighting.com/horticulture/convert-lux-to-ppfd-online-calculator
This gives some light type choices..Your red/blue Kessil would show about 2400 LUX (= to 200par)
