PAR Readings for Noopsyche K7 Pro III on my 125

[exnisstech]

I’m using the V3 on my rimmed 125 also. To avoid getting shadowing I have 6 of them over my tank and I’m very happy with the coverage.

I was waiting for you to come in and glad another noop fan is in on this...

I also have six k7 V3 mounted over a 180g 72x24x24 with braces and am happy with them. My canopy only allows me to get them 7" off the water so I'm not getting the spread I could if they were mounted higher. 2 in the center are mounted long wise front to back the others horizontal. I'm. Not even close to 100% and get 350 par on the borrow where my clams are.

 

[Projects with Sam]

One of my customers who got some XR30 shades used the silver duct tape on the underside of the shades I printed him. works like a charm he says.

I eventually plan to lazer-cut reflective inserts for my light shades...

 

[N1tew0lf1212]

I also have six k7 V3 mounted over a 180g 72x24x24 with braces and am happy with them. My canopy only allows me to get them 7" off the water so I'm not getting the spread I could if they were mounted higher. 2 in the center are mounted long wise front to back the others horizontal. I'm. Not even close to 100% and get 350 par on the borrow where my clams are. View attachment 3126344

Yet another noop fan @tbrown3589 where you at?

 

[N1tew0lf1212]

@Projects with Sam welcome to the noop party roll out that beautiful shade footage lol

 

[Gtinnel]

Why is it I suddenly feel like I should get my par meter out and see where my lights are? I think I remember saying I need to raise my light intensity some, but I never did it.

 

[Projects with Sam]

such sturdy lights. I even dropped one accidentally from like 5' and it was fine

 

[N1tew0lf1212]

such sturdy lights. I even dropped one accidentally from like 5' and it was fine

Thats slaptastic

 

[Projects with Sam]

Thats slaptastic

or @tbrown3589 's favorite...

 

[tbrown3589]

I took PAR readings in my standard 125 gallon display tank (72 inches long, 21 inches tall) and thought I'd share in case anyone else is looking at a similar setup. I used the Apogee SQ-420 meter.

I have 3 lights on this tank: one in the center, and one centered on each overflow box. They are positioned 10 inches above the water. I took readings with the all lights except red+green at 50%, (red+green at 10% each), then another with lights at 100% (red+green still at 10%).

*Readings marked with an asterisk are directly beneath the horizontal brace, adding a good bit of shadow.

View attachment 3125939


View attachment 3125940



Here's one final set of readings with lights at 50% again, but I lowered the lights to 7 inches above the water. Most numbers don't go up substantially, but there are several more shaded spots where the readings actually go down. Looks like 10 inches above the water produces much more consistent results.

View attachment 3125942

This obviously won't be the same for everyone, and there are lots of shady spots under the rocks, etc. But hopefully this gives you some idea of what 3 of these lights can output over a 6 ft tank. Big thanks to @Zach B!

Question: this is with the whites at 50% or 100% as well?

I'm running two V3 140s (outside sections) and a V3 75 and Pro II 90 in the middle but I keep my whites at 10% for peak. I run my reds and greens at closer to 35% for peak and all blue and UV channels at 100% for peak.

 

[franx]

Question: this is with the whites at 50% or 100% as well?

I'm running two V3 140s (outside sections) and a V3 75 and Pro II 90 in the middle but I keep my whites at 10% for peak. I run my reds and greens at closer to 35% for peak and all blue and UV channels at 100% for peak.

Yes, I had the whites at the same level as the blues for these readings. When I get a chance tomorrow, I’ll copy your settings and take a few readings for you.

 

[tbrown3589]

Yes, I had the whites at the same level as the blues for these readings. When I get a chance tomorrow, I’ll copy your settings and take a few readings for you.

I'm curious. I'm not sure how much it's been studied but people have stated that "white" PAR doesn't actually matter since the blue spectrum is what the corals utilize. I wonder how much PAR actually adds to the total and if it's usable PAR.

Good information though, thanks!

My rockwork is similar to your setup as well so this helps.

 

[franx]

Yeah that’s a good question. I just took the readings with the settings I’m using, just because I don’t like the tank to look too blue. But if the corals can’t use it, it would be worth adjusting for the purposes of taking the readings.

 

[tbrown3589]

Like I said, I'm not sure how much it's been studied or if it's even been proven. I haven't looked into it much, just have heard it repeated and it made me curious.

@Dana Riddle might chime in?

Is white light PAR usable or only certain blue spectrums?

 

[tbrown3589]

Interesting read.

PUR vs PAR? What is more important when setting up your LED reef tank lighting? - BRStv Reef FAQs

PAR VS. PUR. At First it was as simple as the number of bulbs we needed then someone measured PAR and told us that was the holy grail and we all need to set our LED’s to a PAR number. Now, we all hear about PUR and that it is a better measurement for aquarium light output. Here’s

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Projects with Sam]

I thought PUR was a water filter.

 

[nereefpat]

Thanks for doing this, @franx !

 

[tbrown3589]

I thought PUR was a water filter.

I mean, not to get all technical or anything but PUR makes energy for the corals making them hungry so they filter the water so... Yes?

 

[franx]

@tbrown3589 I haven't had the chance to mark up a photo, but I took some readings at the same spots with the white lights completely off (and kept red+green at 10%).

With the blue/UV/cyan channels at 50%, I'm seeing levels on average 70% of the numbers with whites on. With blue/UV/cyan at 100%, levels are about 85% of the numbers with whites on.

 

[tbrown3589]

@tbrown3589 I haven't had the chance to mark up a photo, but I took some readings at the same spots with the white lights completely off (and kept red+green at 10%).

With the blue/UV/cyan channels at 50%, I'm seeing levels on average 70% of the numbers with whites on. With blue/UV/cyan at 100%, levels are about 85% of the numbers with whites on.

That's great info. Thanks!

I have used the Photone app in the past and got decently similar results. I think the Pro III has higher PAR than the V3 due to a more focused lens, correct @noopsyche ?

 

[Eagle_Steve]

I'm curious. I'm not sure how much it's been studied but people have stated that "white" PAR doesn't actually matter since the blue spectrum is what the corals utilize. I wonder how much PAR actually adds to the total and if it's usable PAR.

Good information though, thanks!

My rockwork is similar to your setup as well so this helps.

View attachment 3126355

White LEDs do output in the useable spectrum for corals.

Below is a typical 3w warm white LED chip (like what's used in Black Boxes). Your eyes just do not "see" it, as the other "colors" phase it out. Cool white LEDs typically increase quite a bit in the 420-480 range when compared to the warm white LEDs.

Typical Warm White 3w LED

Typical 3w Coolwhite LED