WMAS Discussion Forum : T5 101? what is spectrum&PAR? http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 02 Jul 2026 02:40:14 +0000 Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:06:33 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=52549 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[T5 101? what is spectrum&PAR? : maybe not exactly the same......]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52549&PID=441063&title=t5-101-what-is-spectrumpar#441063 Author: phys
Subject: 52549
Posted: November 25 2011 at 2:06pm

maybe not exactly the same... Ai uses xp-g cree and im not sure what exact model the panoramas have. Xp-g do give more light than the xr-e models...]]> Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:06:33 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52549&PID=441063&title=t5-101-what-is-spectrumpar#441063 <![CDATA[T5 101? what is spectrum&PAR? : i just looked at the panorama...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52549&PID=441062&title=t5-101-what-is-spectrumpar#441062 Author: phys
Subject: 52549
Posted: November 25 2011 at 2:03pm

i just looked at the panorama pros. They have exactly the same leds as AI. The rgb models have even been stated by the company that they should not be used as the primary lighting source. Im not sure what you are referring to when you say limited spectra because all LEDs have that... And thats one of the reasons to have them. Tuneable spectra to get light where you want it. It doesnt matter where the LEDs are made as long ss they are to the same standard quality. adding optics will do what you stated IF you leave it too close to the tank. Thats why many people move the fixture higher when they have optics. The wider the optics, the closer you can be. Thanks for reminding me to add this bit of info.]]> Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:03:21 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52549&PID=441062&title=t5-101-what-is-spectrumpar#441062 <![CDATA[T5 101? what is spectrum&PAR? : phys wrote:I had some xenia,...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52549&PID=441034&title=t5-101-what-is-spectrumpar#441034 Author: Ryan Thompson
Subject: 52549
Posted: November 25 2011 at 9:28am

Originally posted by phys phys wrote:

I had some xenia, galaxia and mushrooms live off and grow off less than you have there so for those, if you dont mind slow growth, they should work. The brands i really havent seen a difference in except their lifespan. Just get some 10k Kelvin and an actinic. You'll see people debate on which is better but really, apples to apples, theyd be similar but yea, you may get a bad one here or there.

i would suggest the AI LEDs.. They look like they design them similar to how i built mine (led choice that is). If you choose them, do 70 deg optics (since the tank isnt too deep) and the warmer (12000 k) leds. They'll provide better color for coral that weren't taken from deeper waters. You should get a 50/50 white/blue combo instead of their 2w/1b combo. Im not sure but they may be using cree blue leds instead of royal blue. The issue there is the spectral response is at 450-470nm instead of 420nm. The peak sensivity of corals is at about 420nm i believe.
The panorama strips use older tech and less powerful LEDs which means they may not last as long and will have to be driven at 100%. They're mostly for filler light in my opinion.



I was going to stay out of this thread until this misinformation was written.

The new Ecoxotic stuff uses CREE LEDs along with some other brands. Did you know that CREE doesn't even manufacture their stuff anymore? They have outsourced it to China and other companies now.

Also ALL (minus the PAR38 bulb) of Ecoxotic's stuff is dimmable if you choose. So you don't have to run them at 100% like stated. The Panorama PRO LEDs are being driven at like 1.7w each and they use 3w LEDs. You do the math.

AIs are the VERY last LED system I would touch. Limited spectrum and I personally don't like optics. They create major hotspots and can easily burn your corals. What are hot spots? Well, the optics focus the light into a given area. Move slightly out of that given area and PAR can drop significantly.

Ecoxotic has a slew of colors to play with as well. Not just white and blue. White and blue has been and always will be a terrible choice for lighting our tanks. It was that way with power compacts, T5's, VHOs and many other types of lighting. Why would LEDs be any different?

MY advice is this, go see some AI LED tanks and decide if that is what you want. You will have to buy the controller if you want any serious type of control over the color.

Go see some other LED lit tanks and see what you think. I will have the new Ecoxotic Panorama PRO fixture here next week hopefully. I already have 3 of the PRO modules and 3 stunners here that I can show you and what each color does for the tank.





Edited by Ryan Thompson - November 25 2011 at 9:31am]]> Fri, 25 Nov 2011 09:28:43 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52549&PID=441034&title=t5-101-what-is-spectrumpar#441034 <![CDATA[T5 101? what is spectrum&PAR? : contact the company for a...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52549&PID=440990&title=t5-101-what-is-spectrumpar#440990 Author: phys
Subject: 52549
Posted: November 24 2011 at 3:42pm

contact the company for a reference or special order.. I found them with a quick google search.]]> Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:42:13 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52549&PID=440990&title=t5-101-what-is-spectrumpar#440990 <![CDATA[T5 101? what is spectrum&PAR? : Thank you so much! AI it is! i&#039;m...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52549&PID=440986&title=t5-101-what-is-spectrumpar#440986 Author: herrera
Subject: 52549
Posted: November 24 2011 at 2:36pm

Thank you so much!Smile  AI it is! i'm excited. The only AI sol i can find for $399 is either all white, or all blue. Do you know of a site, that will sell them for that price with 50/50 w/70degree optics?  Also i take it i can't control the density with out purchasing the controller?:/

Edited by herrera - November 24 2011 at 2:44pm]]> Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:36:15 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52549&PID=440986&title=t5-101-what-is-spectrumpar#440986 <![CDATA[T5 101? what is spectrum&PAR? : I had some xenia, galaxia and...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52549&PID=440984&title=t5-101-what-is-spectrumpar#440984 Author: phys
Subject: 52549
Posted: November 24 2011 at 1:24pm

I had some xenia, galaxia and mushrooms live off and grow off less than you have there so for those, if you dont mind slow growth, they should work. The brands i really havent seen a difference in except their lifespan. Just get some 10k Kelvin and an actinic. You'll see people debate on which is better but really, apples to apples, theyd be similar but yea, you may get a bad one here or there.

i would suggest the AI LEDs.. They look like they design them similar to how i built mine (led choice that is). If you choose them, do 70 deg optics (since the tank isnt too deep) and the warmer (12000 k) leds. They'll provide better color for coral that weren't taken from deeper waters. You should get a 50/50 white/blue combo instead of their 2w/1b combo. Im not sure but they may be using cree blue leds instead of royal blue. The issue there is the spectral response is at 450-470nm instead of 420nm. The peak sensivity of corals is at about 420nm i believe.
The panorama strips use older tech and less powerful LEDs which means they may not last as long and will have to be driven at 100%. They're mostly for filler light in my opinion.
]]> Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:24:17 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52549&PID=440984&title=t5-101-what-is-spectrumpar#440984 <![CDATA[T5 101? what is spectrum&PAR? : Right now i have x2 24&#034;Coralife...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52549&PID=440980&title=t5-101-what-is-spectrumpar#440980 Author: herrera
Subject: 52549
Posted: November 24 2011 at 12:33pm

Right now i have x2 24"Coralife 65w The bulbs need to be changed. what brand should get for PC?  I don't dare to try making my own LED.

I'm hung up on either getting the AI Sol (75watts) or adding on to my Ecoxotic with 4 additional Panorama Pro LED strips (76Watts)  Both would be the same price. I think the AI might put out more PAR, but i'm worried the lighting may look a lot different, next to my Ecoxotic.  Which route do you think i should go with this?
]]> Thu, 24 Nov 2011 12:33:53 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52549&PID=440980&title=t5-101-what-is-spectrumpar#440980 <![CDATA[T5 101? what is spectrum&PAR? : this actually brings me to...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52549&PID=440823&title=t5-101-what-is-spectrumpar#440823 Author: phys
Subject: 52549
Posted: November 23 2011 at 1:57am

this actually brings me to another point.... If you build your own LED system (which is actually fairly simple), you can design it to run with a certain amount of LEDs and start with fewer then you originally designed it for (taking into account not to over drive them, electrically speaking) and then add more if needed. If you'd like to know how i built mine for about 250$, let me know. It has 24 50/50 actinic/white leds... Had i known, i would have built it with less but that comes from experience! ]]> Wed, 23 Nov 2011 01:57:04 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52549&PID=440823&title=t5-101-what-is-spectrumpar#440823 <![CDATA[T5 101? what is spectrum&PAR? : the 30-50% helps to extend...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52549&PID=440822&title=t5-101-what-is-spectrumpar#440822 Author: phys
Subject: 52549
Posted: November 23 2011 at 1:51am

the 30-50% helps to extend the LEDs life span. The higher you run them, the faster they burn out. You could get a smaller fixture if you want the same PAR, but you'd run them hotter and decrease their life by running them at full capacity. You can have too much PAR, too much light can harm the coral. Sometimes the coral will expell their zooanthelle (the organisms that live in the coral which are the photosynthetic lifeforms that give coral energy) when its too bright. One explanation is that the coral cannot handle the amount of energy production or they expell it since they do not need as much. This can cause bleaching. So when you get any light source, start at a low output level and increase it slowly over time until you notice your coral retacting soon after you do. I've dont this on my 20 gal setup and as soon as i raise the intensity at all, most coral retract within about 10 min.]]> Wed, 23 Nov 2011 01:51:07 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52549&PID=440822&title=t5-101-what-is-spectrumpar#440822 <![CDATA[T5 101? what is spectrum&PAR? : here is link that also helped...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52549&PID=440820&title=t5-101-what-is-spectrumpar#440820 Author: herrera
Subject: 52549
Posted: November 23 2011 at 12:52am

here is link that also helped me understand a bit better Smile
 
So today while researching i found out you can have to much PAR.  how do you determain if your lighting is overkill?
 
And for example everyone who has an AI LED only have there intensity around 30%-50% is this because the PAR would be to high? or why are they not turning up the intensity
So today while researching i found out you can have to much PAR.  how do you determain if your lighting is overkill?
 
And for example everyone who has an AI LED only have there intensity around 30%-50% is this because the PAR would be to high? or why are they not turning up the intensity?
]]> Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:52:45 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52549&PID=440820&title=t5-101-what-is-spectrumpar#440820