LED Intensity

[justincgdick]

From a mathematical perspective, you will have more uniform par if the lights are higher up, assuming you have lights strong enough. There will be a drastic difference between par at the surface and at the sand bed if the lights are in the rim. If you can raise the light up a few feet the difference in par will be less.

[WindowMaker]

there is also the factor that constantly running an LED at 100% will cut its lifespan almost in half.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by WindowMaker

there is also the factor that constantly running an LED at 100% will cut its lifespan almost in half.

That makes sense, but when the industry is stating X number of years worth of life, at what intensity are they rating them?

[troni]

Originally Posted by WindowMaker

there is also the factor that constantly running an LED at 100% will cut its lifespan almost in half.

its lifespan is determined by running at 100%.
what i think you mean running them at a lower percent will increase life.



I'm curious as how long till the spectrum starts to change, if at all.

[Nano]

Originally Posted by troni

I'm curious as how long till the spectrum starts to change, if at all.

I "Heard" once 5% per year at 100% but I am sure that not accurate, and could be more. also depending on the types of features you use (I.E) thunderstorms etc, it could cause varied results IMO.

[jorjef]

The way I approached buying my SOL's was sort of trial basis. I only ordered one the first time, I was 90% certain I would need a second with a 48" tank but with shipping being free for one or two I decided to see what one unit looked like. It took about five minutes to decide one was not enough and ordered the second. This same principal will work for anyone even if you had to start with say 3 or 4 and add units if needed.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by jorjef

The way I approached buying my SOL's was sort of trial basis. I only ordered one the first time, I was 90% certain I would need a second with a 48" tank but with shipping being free for one or two I decided to see what one unit looked like. It took about five minutes to decide one was not enough and ordered the second. This same principal will work for anyone even if you had to start with say 3 or 4 and add units if needed.

kinda my plan as well. I"ll start with 3 and see how that goes. Problem I have is that the tank may suffer before I can afford to buy more.

[muck]

Ask sbux for a V.I.P. discount card...

[jorjef]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

kinda my plan as well. I"ll start with 3 and see how that goes. Problem I have is that the tank may suffer before I can afford to buy more.

Just leave your existing lights in place, when the new ones arrive just get a bunch of people together to do a mock up and hold the lights over the tank for you as you sit back say "okay a little to the left, now up..no no the other up, you know down" All the time adjusting intensity to see how you like it. If you decide you need more units the original light is still there until the other unit arrives and swap out then.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by troni

I'm curious as how long till the spectrum starts to change, if at all.

the spectrum doesn't change on LED's only there intensity. and at there rated live they are usaly still at 85% of there new intensity. of course different brands/models will have different numbers.

as for the life span, running them at 50% or 100% will make no difference on life span if the junction temp is the same, so in other words if you can keep them below there max junction temp even at 100% the life will be longer. this is why it is very important to think out your cooling (heatsink/fan) setup when building your own LEDs. If you buying them you would assume the company did there home work to be able to allow them to be run at 100% while keeping the junction temp under the max.

Steve