Hi everyone,
I am reporting here some tests I did with my led fixtures to compare light intensity (in LUX, not in PAR).
My fixtures are 1 Viparspectra 165W (NO LENSES) and 1 Kessil A160WE.
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The main aim for me was to understand how to set up the viparspectra for having a light output similar to my new Kessil, the way is kept in most nano tanks similar to mine (32g long, 15" deep). It seems that most people keep those at max 60-70% intensity/ 35-45% color.
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I tested light output with a lux meter. I only did test output at water level because the lux meter is not waterproof, so I cannot test for light penetration in saltwater or how much light reaches with appropriate PAR the bottom of the tank.
Nevertheless:
With fixtures set at same distance from water level (8-9")
-Viparsp. at 70%B 0%W = KessilA160 70% intensity, 0% color
-Viparsp. at 55%B 1%W = KessilA160 65% intensity, 45% color
-Viparsp. at 0%B 100%W = KessilA160 80% intensity, 100% color
-Viparsp. at 100%B 100%W = KessilA160 cannot reach, at 100% is 20% weaker than the vipar.
On a side note, the vipar produces for example 20k lux consistently (at 100%W 0%B) in an area of around 20x30cm. The kessil produces comparable light intensity in an area of around 3x3cm. This is obviously at very short distance (8"/22cm). The kessil is known for producing more of a spotlight cone rather than a diffused light.
If the luxmeter is to be relied we can see that the blue channel produces much more light intensity than the white. Also at 55%B 1%W the vipar has equal light intensity as the kessil with the settings the way is kept on most nano tanks.
You can see why people with shallow tanks can keep the vipar with lenses on at minimal settings and grow stuff.
It might be interesting to get some feedback from some experienced folk here. I am wondering how much difference there could be in terms of PAR with comparable LUX intensities.
I am reporting here some tests I did with my led fixtures to compare light intensity (in LUX, not in PAR).
My fixtures are 1 Viparspectra 165W (NO LENSES) and 1 Kessil A160WE.
------------
The main aim for me was to understand how to set up the viparspectra for having a light output similar to my new Kessil, the way is kept in most nano tanks similar to mine (32g long, 15" deep). It seems that most people keep those at max 60-70% intensity/ 35-45% color.
-----------
I tested light output with a lux meter. I only did test output at water level because the lux meter is not waterproof, so I cannot test for light penetration in saltwater or how much light reaches with appropriate PAR the bottom of the tank.
Nevertheless:
With fixtures set at same distance from water level (8-9")
-Viparsp. at 70%B 0%W = KessilA160 70% intensity, 0% color
-Viparsp. at 55%B 1%W = KessilA160 65% intensity, 45% color
-Viparsp. at 0%B 100%W = KessilA160 80% intensity, 100% color
-Viparsp. at 100%B 100%W = KessilA160 cannot reach, at 100% is 20% weaker than the vipar.
On a side note, the vipar produces for example 20k lux consistently (at 100%W 0%B) in an area of around 20x30cm. The kessil produces comparable light intensity in an area of around 3x3cm. This is obviously at very short distance (8"/22cm). The kessil is known for producing more of a spotlight cone rather than a diffused light.
If the luxmeter is to be relied we can see that the blue channel produces much more light intensity than the white. Also at 55%B 1%W the vipar has equal light intensity as the kessil with the settings the way is kept on most nano tanks.
You can see why people with shallow tanks can keep the vipar with lenses on at minimal settings and grow stuff.
It might be interesting to get some feedback from some experienced folk here. I am wondering how much difference there could be in terms of PAR with comparable LUX intensities.
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