The Modified Black Box Thread

[jason2459]

They do seem to be on target with the individual channels and when they are mixed even at low intensity.

As for the Kelvin it was kind of a disappointment to me as I was hoping to see at least up to 20k as I've been curious what K my lights are at. I feel 20K is way to blue and think I like something around 14K but what I feel is 14K may look like 10K to someone else and what I feel is 20K may look like 14K to someone else.

But as soon as any blue channel turns on my Kelvin reading goes NA.

 

[reeferfoxx]

They do seem to be on target with the individual channels and when they are mixed even at low intensity.

As for the Kelvin it was kind of a disappointment to me as I was hoping to see at least up to 20k as I've cleats been curious what K my lights are at. I feel 20K is way to blue and think I like something around 14K but what I feel is 14K may look like 10K to someone else and what I feel is 20K may look like 14K to someone else.

But as soon as any blue channel turns on my Kelvin reading goes NA.

As it should. Color temps with blue hit nanometers not kelvin. Once 20,000 hits you've crossed into nanometer fluorescent range.

 

[jason2459]

As it should. Color temps with blue hit nanometers not kelvin. Once 20,000 hits you've crossed into nanometer fluorescent range.

I would assume would assume up to 20K is measurable.

I would consider borrowing a color meter or look at Vetted App for the camera phone at this point.

What range is that, any Idea why?
I had assumed native color on the Mars at 14-16k. My color meter pegs out at 40k. it wont read blue only as its not actually a temperature.

What colormeter do you have?

 

[reeferfoxx]

I would assume would assume up to 20K is measurable.

What colormeter do you have?

My white channel on my modified box hits 17k+

Sorry no thats wrong. Its more like 15k. I'll to check it again. I had my 420nm going with that channel.

 

[prhoades2]

Following along. I'm running four of the Popular Grow boxes. Started changing out LED's this weekend based on my research and reading. Seems I'm making pretty much the same LED changes you guys have, no lenses yet.
I'm not happy with the reliability of 2 of the 4 boxes. One box does not dim on Blue in WIFI, only with the dimmer knob. It's not the WIFI board because I've swapped them around and the issue stays with the box. The other one, the WIFI board has quit working completely.
With the LED changes, looking like a much better light!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I feel 20K is way to blue

fwiw true 20k, like natural light and a 20k radium bulb(metered and confirmed my color meter) Is not that blue imo. My SB, (16k native in specs I believe) is bluer visually (and blurple 420 is) than the 20k mh. I have not temp'ed the SB.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

What colormeter do you have?

Minolta 3. Its now Kenco? SInce Minolta got out of photo and meters. Its calibrated at a lab as well and is as accurate as a sekonic now that they have started making color meters.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Color temps with blue hit nanometers not kelvin.

Not quite true. Temps are determined by the individual amount of each frequency of light measured in nm. Adding blue(say to an even 56k sunlight spread) should/does just increase CT just as only removing RY&O nm ranges from that will also increase the CT. SO, Its the ratios of NM used that determine the CT.

 

[reeferfoxx]

Not quite true. Temps are determined by the individual amount of each frequency of light measured in nm. Adding blue(say to an even 56k sunlight spread) should/does just increase CT just as only removing RY&O nm ranges from that will also increase the CT. SO, Its the ratios of NM used that determine the CT.

It was my understanding that natural daylight is roughly 5,000 to 6,500 kelvin. The frequency measurement in nm is measured by THz or Terahertz. If nanometers starts around 390nm to 700nm the THz (10^12 Hz) starts at 430-770 THz. When we add our blues the frequency changes almost immediately due to the white and blue combination.

So described here you see the wavelength change in fluorescence. Incandescent(left), Fluorescent(right)

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

5,000 to 6,500 kelvin.

correct. but 6500k is even. If you take the 2800k and make the slpe go the other way its a natural 20,000k curve. or just add a large peak in the blue aslo works.

the white and blue combination.

yup. and it depends on what range in nm the "blue" and "white" are or include in their range..

 

[reeferfoxx]

So back to the point. Depending on LED, seneye would measure up to 20,000 kelvin. Only way to achieve that is true 20,000 kelvin diodes independent. Not even sure there is a higher spectrum diode to exceed 20k? Even CFL contain mercury which would only be achieved by changing wavelengths. It always confuses me when people say 15k-18k spectrum for optimal coral growth. It is in fact warm in color and coral would not "glow" in the way that would suit our preference.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

So back to the point. Depending on LED, seneye would measure up to 20,000 kelvin. Only way to achieve that is true 20,000 kelvin diodes independent. Not even sure there is a higher spectrum diode to exceed 20k? Even CFL contain mercury which would only be achieved by changing wavelengths. It always confuses me when people say 15k-18k spectrum for optimal coral growth. It is in fact warm in color and coral would not "glow" in the way that would suit our preference.

Correct. keep in mind it may also be they have never metered a light, just wen by whats on the box.

It is in fact warm in color and coral would not "glow" in the way that would suit our preference.

its warm relatively.. and keep in mind the color mixing variables. you can make a 16k light that is more heavily aqua, add 418 420nm(actinic) and the increase in CT is relatively low but fluorescence still increases. .

 

[reeferfoxx]

you can make a 16k light that is more heavily aqua, add 418 420nm(actinic) and the increase in CT is relatively low but fluorescence still increases.

Yes exactly. I thought about that after I made my post.

Give me a few hours. I really am curious now as my modified light has 10-14k and 18-20k diodes on the white channel. Also I want to get those Mars Aqua measurements done too despite Lux inconsistencies. Ultimate reef user was taking par measurements with his galaxy hydro and using the Seneye and I noticed his lux readings were relatively low considering the 70% white and 100% blue at 12 inches.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yes exactly. I thought about that after I made my post.

Give me a few hours. I really am curious now as my modified light has 10-14k and 18-20k diodes on the white channel. Also I want to get those Mars Aqua measurements done too despite Lux inconsistencies. Ultimate reef user was taking par measurements with his galaxy hydro and using the Seneye and I noticed his lux readings were relatively low considering the 70% white and 100% blue at 12 inches.

cool can wait to see them.

Also I want to get those Mars Aqua measurements done too despite Lux inconsistencies.

I would use the handheld. I bet it hold up to what we have seen about them in terms of par(seney & others) and all the lux references as well.

 

[reeferfoxx]

I would use the handheld. I bet it hold up to what we have seen about them in terms of par(seney & others) and all the lux references as well.

Good idea!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Good idea!

if you moved to san diego I would drive over my color meter.

 

[reeferfoxx]

if you moved to san diego I would drive over my color meter.

I used to live there! Born and raised! Raised on Mission blvd, lived in claremont, santee, lakeside, and el cajon.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I used to live there! Born and raised!

NO!
I dint think natives were allowed to move! Or were genetically predisposed not to.
Im a few blocks south of SDSU on College. Small world.

 

[reeferfoxx]

NO!
I dint think natives were allowed to move! Or were genetically predisposed not to.
Im a few blocks south of SDSU on College. Small world.

I think you are right! My acclimation period after moving did nothing but stunt osmosis. I can't get through a day in the mid-west without dosing medications.

 

[reeferfoxx]

MARS AQUA Unofficial PAR measurements via Seneye Reef Monitor and LX-1010B LUX meter.
This is a round about measurement of the Mars Aqua reef LED light at 12 inches above water. This light unit has 90° lenses on all blue channel diodes and 120° lenses on all white channel diodes.

Description / Kelvin / PAR / PUR / LUX
White ON 1%-- 6,572 - 68 - 60% - 5,110
White Fan ON 30%-- 6,777 - 125 - 60% - 10,190
White Est. 50% -- 7,184 - 215 - 61% - 17,050
White 100% -- 7,226 - 401 - 62% - 31,200

Blue ON 1% -- 52- 76%- 5,260
Blue Fan ON 30% -- 115- 77%- 10,250
Blue Est. 50% -- 155- 77%- 15,220
Blue 100%-- 355- 78%- 30,700

White/Blue ON(50/50)-- 132- 67%- 10,500
W/B Fan ON 30%(50/50)-- 216- 68%- 19,150
W/B Est. 50/50%-- 401- 68%- 30,900
W/B 100% (50/50)-- 830- 69%- 61,000

Common User Settings
W/B 30%/70% -- 385- 72%- 32,800
W/B 50%/100%-- 550- 71%- 45,500

Kelvin measurements did not register after blue channel was initiated.