long term led par levels discussion

[roman1]

I would think if you took par readings from older lights from reputable led companies like ecotech and compared that with the numbers they advertised when bought new , one would have a fairly good representation of what percentage of par they have lost. One problem I see is par is affected by other things such as “old” aquarium water and “new aquarium water. I do know that dirty water affects par readings as well.

 

[Armydogracing]

I would think if you took par readings from older lights from reputable led companies like ecotech and compared that with the numbers they advertised when bought new , one would have a fairly good representation of what percentage of par they have lost. One problem I see is par is affected by other things such as “old” aquarium water and “new aquarium water. I do know that dirty water affects par readings as well.

Hmm good point about tank water but it should be close to the same water clarity if it’s the same Tank unless they slacked a bit ;)

Not sure if that would be a very good comparison to go off of what they advertised as I would think each light might vary a bit.

 

[roman1]

Hmm good point about tank water but it should be close to the same water clarity if it’s the same Tank unless they slacked a bit ;)

Not sure if that would be a very good comparison to go off of what they advertised as I would think each light might vary a bit.

I would like to think that a company as big as ecotech their quality control would be pretty tight on specs amongst the materials they use and their performance measured at time of production or at least a sample pulled after so many produced.

 

[Armydogracing]

I would like to think that a company as big as ecotech their quality control would be pretty tight on specs amongst the materials they use and their performance measured at time of production or at least a sample pulled after so many produced.

Very true

 

[Armydogracing]

Does anyone know if a company like BRS has done testing on led lights? I know they do extensive testing then vids on a lot of different things for reef tanks.

 

[roman1]

I just bought a new gen 4 Radion Pro xr30 for my tank to try out to see if I want to upgrade or not. So currently I have gen3’s and a gen 4 on my tank. I am trying to get our clubs par meter to see how much par I really do have. Having all of the lights set at the same coral lab settings I can definitely tell that the new gen 4 is much brighter. Although it is not a fair comparison because they changed optics as well as leds but I can tell there is a difference between the two generations.

 

[Armydogracing]

I think I am going to get the apex par meter so I always get readings

 

[roman1]

I think I am going to get the apex par meter so I always get readings

And you were a reef angel holdout for a long time haha.

 

[Armydogracing]

And you were a reef angel holdout for a long time haha.

Yes I did lol. I’m really digging the fusion

 

[roman1]

Welcome to the dark side

 

[Armydogracing]

I’m hoping someone that takes notes like me can post some actual par readings.

I personally use a washable marker and write the reading on the outside of the tank then at the end take a picture of it so I can compare to my next readings in the same area

 

[Mark Gray]

I think I am going to get the apex par meter so I always get readings

I want to know how you like it, I have bought my second Apex just waiting on the tank to deliver

 

[roman1]

I’m hoping someone that takes notes like me can post some actual par readings.

I personally use a washable marker and write the reading on the outside of the tank then at the end take a picture of it so I can compare to my next readings in the same area

That’s too technical for me. You have an apex now. There are places for you to log such activities.

 

[Armydogracing]

I want to know how you like it, I have bought my second Apex just waiting on the tank to deliver

I’ll definitely make a post about it when I get it or post in here.

That’s too technical for me. You have an apex now. There are places for you to log such activities.

Haha I like being able to look at where I took the reading. I do however use the calendar and notes to remind me to change gfo, zeo, carbon and clean the algae scrubber along with test measurements

 

[roman1]

I just started using it to track my levels since switching to calcium reactor

 

[roman1]

I’ll try to get a par meter this weekend and take some measurements

 

[elFloyd]

Good discussion... I am running three year old Onyx LEDs and also question if PAR has changed. I recently purchased a PAR meter and wanted to compare manufacturers original published PAR to my reading now. Unfortunately I found that most (if not all) manufacturers’ PAR readings are through the air (i.e. without water).

And to complicate the discussion... does LED spectrum shift with age?

 

[Armydogracing]

Good discussion... I am running three year old Onyx LEDs and also question if PAR has changed. I recently purchased a PAR meter and wanted to compare manufacturers original published PAR to my reading now. Unfortunately I found that most (if not all) manufacturers’ PAR readings are through the air (i.e. without water).

And to complicate the discussion... does LED spectrum shift with age?

Hmm good point about if the spectrum changes with age.

I honestly didn’t know they took the readings outside of the water. I was always told to not put the par meter up to the leds as it can ruin the sensor.

 

[roman1]

This is a chart from Ecotech Marine . I would assume they are taking these readings in the water .

 

[elFloyd]

Mmmm.... now you are making me re-think what I said. The Ecotech drawing sure shows water. The Orphek images show out of water, and comparison to other fixtures, I assume also out of water. Guess the take-away is to confirm how manufacturers take their readings to compare apples to apples.