Can Plant LED lighting be used on a reef?

richmorris25 · 04/06/2008, 10:20 AM

Let me know what you think - for 250.00, it could be an option for new lighting - or at least supplent my T5s.

While on ebay i came across LED lighting for plants. First thought that came to mind was the solaris fixture that goes for thousands.

Check out this link: http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduc...productID=52375

Cut and paste from the site:

ere it is: the latest in growing technology, the LED GROW LIGHT.

SAVE ENERGY, REDUCE HEAT, GIVE PLANTS THE LIGHT THEY LOVE AND NOTHING ELSE!

FOUR PACK!!!

This Four Pack of 225 LED MIXED Blue/Red Spectrum Panel provides the BEST spectrum for ALL STAGES OF PLANT GROWTH!

Each 12" x 12" panel uses approximately 16 watts and comes with it's own 6' Grounded Power Cord!

Measures: 12" wide x 12" long x 1 1/4"

RED LIGHT = 645-655 Nanometers (NM)

BLUE LIGHT = 460 - 470 Nanometers (NM)

BLUE LIGHT is important for the formation of chlorophyll, chloroplast development (chloroplasts are the little organs inside cells where photosynthesis takes place, more of them = more photosynthesis = more plant growth), also, photosynthesis circadian rhythm (knowing when lights are on and off â€“ related to flowering too) and the production of some enzymes in plants is controlled by blue light. In land plants, a decrease in blue light also might signal to a leaf that it is a shade leafâ€¦ meaning it thinks it is not in good light, so it wonâ€™t make chloroplasts, which means no matter how many photons of light hit that leaf it will not produce the maximum amount of energy that it could.

RED LIGHT stimulates phytochrome responses such as stem elongation, flowering, and other plant morphology changes. {HPS lights have more yellow/red which is why they lead to elongated stems, and great flowering} Red light can increase starch accumulation in some plants (that is like animals gaining fat, extra energy).

You get the BEST of BOTH WORLDS, both BLUE and RED Light with these L.E.D. panels!

Can be used by itself to grow plants or to supplement HPS (High Pressure Sodium), MH (Metal Halide) or Fluorescent Grow Lights!

Why use our LED GROW LIGHTS to grow plants?
The basic idea is that a growing plant uses only a narrow band of the lighting spectrum for chlorophyll production. Up to now the only choice has been Sodium or Halide lights which both produce a very wide band of lighting and less than 10% of a Sodium or Halide lamps output is actually used by the plant.

With the advent of LED lighting, we can custom tailor the output of the lamp to match exactly the band of light required for Chlorophyll production!

What does all this mean?
This means that almost 100% of the power input for our LED GROW LIGHT is used for plant production.

What are the other benefits?
Another great benefit of the LED GROW LIGHT is the very small amount of heat produced. The LED GROW LIGHT operates completely cool to the touch and plants can actually grow right up to the fixture, try that with any Sodium or Halide lamp.

What is the benefit of lower heat levels?

* No HEAT SIGNATURE detectable by infrared cameras.
* No fans required for cooling
* No heat damage to plants
* No high temperature lights to worry about

Also, the LED GROW LIGHT does not require a ballast and simply plugs into any standard household outlet.

The LED GROW LIGHT is manufactured using long life LED lights. These lights have a rated life of over 100,000 hours (there are 8,760 hours in a year).

LEDs are nearly 100% efficient at plant growth! This is 10 times the efficiency of a Sodium or Halide light!

Light Emitting Diode (L.E.D.) technology is the absolute newest technology in plant growth! These lights represent the cutting edge of horticultural lighting. LED lights are currently being used by NASA for growing plants in outer space!

richmorris25 · 04/06/2008, 04:05 PM

bump...

JNye · 04/06/2008, 09:36 PM

bump...i think they might work but not optimal...if you make your own fixture I think you can find LEDs in any spectrum you want and order them out. I don't know where but i have heard of people doing this. and its way cheaper then a solaris.

WLachnit · 04/06/2008, 11:20 PM

I would be curious about these as well since they appear to be a fraction of the cost relative to Solaris.

silverwolf72 · 04/07/2008, 01:00 AM

Looks like they use 16W, so there not using the same HO LEDs(comes out to .07W Per LED). So I don't think this would work for reefing purposes. Might work OK for a Refuge or something shallow not requireing much PAR

richmorris25 · 04/07/2008, 01:59 PM

What about using on a 12 gallon nano. Not too deep - and my nano is all softies. I would need much more par for my 120 - any comments? Anyone ever attempt using plant LEDs? The Blue lighting is roughly 460NM.

Thanks,

Rich

silverwolf72 · 04/07/2008, 11:15 PM

Would prob work fine for a nano

njdevilsfan · 04/08/2008, 01:17 AM

this might be what you are talking about

i use it over my refuge

ConcreteReefer · 04/08/2008, 04:43 AM

I bought one a few weeks ago and have been using over my fuge as well- I got the led "tube" which is water resistant. It seems really dim to me, not too impressed.

ConcreteReefer · 04/08/2008, 04:46 AM

Here is what I bought- "24 led bar aquarium plant growing & lighting power"

here's a pic:

richmorris25 · 04/08/2008, 07:21 AM

I guess its prob only efficient enough for a fuge. High light corals would likely not fare well if the intensity is not as good. Anymore feedback would be great. thanks again for your replies.

pjf · 04/08/2008, 09:31 PM

The spectrum of the LED light appears predominately red and targeted towards terrestrial plants. Corals require a light spectrum that is predominately blue. The LED's specifications do not list wavelengths shorter than 460nm.

Source:
Photobehavior of stony corals: responses to light spectra and intensity
O. Levy*, Z. Dubinsky and Y. Achituv, The Journal of Experimental Biology 206, 4041-4049, 2003

04/06/2008, 10:20 AM	#1
richmorris25 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Springfield, PA Posts: 84	Can Plant LED lighting be used on a reef? Let me know what you think - for 250.00, it could be an option for new lighting - or at least supplent my T5s. While on ebay i came across LED lighting for plants. First thought that came to mind was the solaris fixture that goes for thousands. Check out this link: http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduc...productID=52375 Cut and paste from the site: ere it is: the latest in growing technology, the LED GROW LIGHT. SAVE ENERGY, REDUCE HEAT, GIVE PLANTS THE LIGHT THEY LOVE AND NOTHING ELSE! FOUR PACK!!! This Four Pack of 225 LED MIXED Blue/Red Spectrum Panel provides the BEST spectrum for ALL STAGES OF PLANT GROWTH! Each 12" x 12" panel uses approximately 16 watts and comes with it's own 6' Grounded Power Cord! Measures: 12" wide x 12" long x 1 1/4" RED LIGHT = 645-655 Nanometers (NM) BLUE LIGHT = 460 - 470 Nanometers (NM) BLUE LIGHT is important for the formation of chlorophyll, chloroplast development (chloroplasts are the little organs inside cells where photosynthesis takes place, more of them = more photosynthesis = more plant growth), also, photosynthesis circadian rhythm (knowing when lights are on and off â€“ related to flowering too) and the production of some enzymes in plants is controlled by blue light. In land plants, a decrease in blue light also might signal to a leaf that it is a shade leafâ€¦ meaning it thinks it is not in good light, so it wonâ€™t make chloroplasts, which means no matter how many photons of light hit that leaf it will not produce the maximum amount of energy that it could. RED LIGHT stimulates phytochrome responses such as stem elongation, flowering, and other plant morphology changes. {HPS lights have more yellow/red which is why they lead to elongated stems, and great flowering} Red light can increase starch accumulation in some plants (that is like animals gaining fat, extra energy). You get the BEST of BOTH WORLDS, both BLUE and RED Light with these L.E.D. panels! Can be used by itself to grow plants or to supplement HPS (High Pressure Sodium), MH (Metal Halide) or Fluorescent Grow Lights! Why use our LED GROW LIGHTS to grow plants? The basic idea is that a growing plant uses only a narrow band of the lighting spectrum for chlorophyll production. Up to now the only choice has been Sodium or Halide lights which both produce a very wide band of lighting and less than 10% of a Sodium or Halide lamps output is actually used by the plant. With the advent of LED lighting, we can custom tailor the output of the lamp to match exactly the band of light required for Chlorophyll production! What does all this mean? This means that almost 100% of the power input for our LED GROW LIGHT is used for plant production. What are the other benefits? Another great benefit of the LED GROW LIGHT is the very small amount of heat produced. The LED GROW LIGHT operates completely cool to the touch and plants can actually grow right up to the fixture, try that with any Sodium or Halide lamp. What is the benefit of lower heat levels? * No HEAT SIGNATURE detectable by infrared cameras. * No fans required for cooling * No heat damage to plants * No high temperature lights to worry about Also, the LED GROW LIGHT does not require a ballast and simply plugs into any standard household outlet. The LED GROW LIGHT is manufactured using long life LED lights. These lights have a rated life of over 100,000 hours (there are 8,760 hours in a year). LEDs are nearly 100% efficient at plant growth! This is 10 times the efficiency of a Sodium or Halide light! Light Emitting Diode (L.E.D.) technology is the absolute newest technology in plant growth! These lights represent the cutting edge of horticultural lighting. LED lights are currently being used by NASA for growing plants in outer space! __________________ Please... don't tell my wife :) Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Oceanic / 2x 250 Halides. 40 Gallon Sump - Mixed Softies, LPS and SPS.

04/06/2008, 04:05 PM	#2
richmorris25 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Springfield, PA Posts: 84	anyone :) bump... __________________ Please... don't tell my wife :) Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Oceanic / 2x 250 Halides. 40 Gallon Sump - Mixed Softies, LPS and SPS.

04/06/2008, 09:36 PM	#3
JNye Moved On Up Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lansing, IL Posts: 2,230	bump...i think they might work but not optimal...if you make your own fixture I think you can find LEDs in any spectrum you want and order them out. I don't know where but i have heard of people doing this. and its way cheaper then a solaris. __________________ Joe Current Tank Info: it don't matter just don't bite it

04/07/2008, 01:59 PM	#6
richmorris25 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Springfield, PA Posts: 84	LED for a Nano What about using on a 12 gallon nano. Not too deep - and my nano is all softies. I would need much more par for my 120 - any comments? Anyone ever attempt using plant LEDs? The Blue lighting is roughly 460NM. Thanks, Rich __________________ Please... don't tell my wife :) Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Oceanic / 2x 250 Halides. 40 Gallon Sump - Mixed Softies, LPS and SPS.

04/08/2008, 01:17 AM	#8
njdevilsfan Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: texas Posts: 658	this might be what you are talking about i use it over my refuge __________________ SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS Current Tank Info: 210lps,75anemone,60frag,20

04/06/2008, 11:20 PM	#4
WLachnit Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,722	I would be curious about these as well since they appear to be a fraction of the cost relative to Solaris.

04/07/2008, 01:00 AM	#5
silverwolf72 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lake Forrest CA Posts: 1,732	Looks like they use 16W, so there not using the same HO LEDs(comes out to .07W Per LED). So I don't think this would work for reefing purposes. Might work OK for a Refuge or something shallow not requireing much PAR

04/07/2008, 11:15 PM	#7
silverwolf72 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lake Forrest CA Posts: 1,732	Would prob work fine for a nano

04/08/2008, 04:43 AM	#9
ConcreteReefer Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SW FLA Posts: 996	I bought one a few weeks ago and have been using over my fuge as well- I got the led "tube" which is water resistant. It seems really dim to me, not too impressed.

04/08/2008, 04:46 AM	#10
ConcreteReefer Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SW FLA Posts: 996	Here is what I bought- "24 led bar aquarium plant growing & lighting power" here's a pic:

04/08/2008, 07:21 AM	#11
richmorris25 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Springfield, PA Posts: 84	thats the exact unit... I guess its prob only efficient enough for a fuge. High light corals would likely not fare well if the intensity is not as good. Anymore feedback would be great. thanks again for your replies. __________________ Please... don't tell my wife :) Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Oceanic / 2x 250 Halides. 40 Gallon Sump - Mixed Softies, LPS and SPS.

04/08/2008, 09:31 PM	#12
pjf Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,954	The spectrum of the LED light appears predominately red and targeted towards terrestrial plants. Corals require a light spectrum that is predominately blue. The LED's specifications do not list wavelengths shorter than 460nm. Source: Photobehavior of stony corals: responses to light spectra and intensity O. Levy*, Z. Dubinsky and Y. Achituv, The Journal of Experimental Biology 206, 4041-4049, 2003