uv leds worth while?

[jjoos99]

I am planning on reworking my diy led lights and am wondering if adding any true ultraviolet leds are of any benefit? The ones I am looking at are rated at 400-410nm. What do you think?
thanks
Jeff

[theatrus]

That's honestly not true UV by any stretch. I do think it's worth having spectrum at 420nm-400nm.

[jjoos99]

I have a 3 heat sink system and redid one of them about 6 months or so ago. I added 4 green, 7 hyper violet (415-425nm) and a few uv (400-410nm). I do have to say the colors do look better under this setup but I lost alot of par by doing so. I have alot of the original cree blues (not sure of the number) that came out when leds first started out on the scene and I will be replacing them with royal blues. Thinking of cutting out 4 of the uv leds and also replacing them with the royal blues. Hopefully all of this will bump up my par. Anyone know anything good or bad about the punch leds that Steves sells?
thanks
Jeff

[colorful1180]

My corals are happy when I added 2 violet (415-425nm) on whites channel.

[nuxx]

Doesn't seem like UV can penetrate very deep as well...

I think the only true UV LEDs are Kessils.

[jimbob321]

Warnings and Handling Instructions:

UV-LEDs emit invisible ultraviolet radiation when in operation, which may be harmful to eyes or skin, even for brief periods. Do NOT look directly into the UV-LED during operation. Be sure that you and all persons in the vicinity wear adequate " UV " Safety protection for eyes and skin. If you incorporate a UV-LED into a product, be sure to provide WARNING labels.
http://www.mouser.com/ultraviolet_leds/

[lpsouth1978]

Originally Posted by jjoos99

I have a 3 heat sink system and redid one of them about 6 months or so ago. I added 4 green, 7 hyper violet (415-425nm) and a few uv (400-410nm). I do have to say the colors do look better under this setup but I lost alot of par by doing so.

How do you know you lost a lot of PAR? The quantum Meters (mostly Apogee) that are available to most of us are incapable of accurately measuring PAR at these wavelengths. While the water will quickly filter out UV light, much will reach in to the tank a foot or more (depending on power level, of course). IME the more colors you use in your setup, the better the colors will look, just be careful how much you use. It is easy to use too much red and green.

[jjoos99]

Originally Posted by lpsouth1978

How do you know you lost a lot of PAR? The quantum Meters (mostly Apogee) that are available to most of us are incapable of accurately measuring PAR at these wavelengths. While the water will quickly filter out UV light, much will reach in to the tank a foot or more (depending on power level, of course). IME the more colors you use in your setup, the better the colors will look, just be careful how much you use. It is easy to use too much red and green.

Yes I am going by what the apogee par meter is telling me. Right now I have only 4 green lights in my 48 led sink and it is quite strong but doesnt overpower the looks of the other colors. My planned colors are 23 royal blues, 12 whites, 6 violets, 2 uv violets, and 4 greens.
thanks
Jeff