Building and LED aquarium lamp

[Erasmus]

Hey there!

I've been contacted by some folks who are planning to build an LED aquarium lamp. Right now they use a 250W metal-halide lamp to light up the 3 meters (10 foot) aquarium. The disadvantage they told me is that the lamp heats up the water too much and that they don't have control over the emitted wavelengths of light. They have some data about which wavelengths are best for which corals and they want to select those specific wavelengths of LEDs for an optimal growth of the corals.

I agreed to assist them in their project. Also I have some good resources for LEDs so I will also supply the LEDs. If you have some good advice, please post here

By the way, the datasheet of the HID lamp is here : http://www.blv.pl/media/File/blv_metal/nepturion/BLVMedia0014505.pdf

Cheers!
Erasmus

 

[LukeA]

10500lm is a LOT of light.

 

[olrac]

Here are some examples of commercially available units

http://www.tropicalfishstore.com/solaris.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKY0Z1vVFQg

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+10704+18689&pcatid=18689


Also I have a number of Reef Tanks and spectrum is critical with 10000K being the low end and 20000k the higher end. Noontime on a real reef is between 14000 and 20000 kelvin. Also don't forget about supplying some actinic wavelength Led lighting as well.

Hope this helps:wave:

PS, the wave length is critical for the health of the algae(zooxanthllae) that live inside the corals and have a symbiotic relationship with the corals and provide them food through photosynthesis.