THE CORRECT LIGHT SPECTRUM

THE CORRECT LIGHT SPECTRUM IS IMPORTANT FOR REEF AQUARIUMS

Too often reef aquarists concentrate on providing ideal water chemistry that mimics that found on the reefs and less thought is given toward providing the ideal lighting spectrum for their corals.  Water chemistry on the reef is very stable as is the light spectrum that falls on the reefs.  The light spectrum will be the same whether you are 20 feet deep onFiji’s reefs or 20 feet deep onHawaii’s reefs. Duplicating the light spectrum is just as important as duplicating the water chemistry if we want our corals to grow and flourish.

To accomplish this, Orphek engineers have worked for years to provide a high Kelvin white LED to provide this spectrum in combination with UV, blue, and wide spectrum red LEDs.  The difference between our lights and theirs is that we use less blue and red to achieve the spectrum corals best respond to (400-550nm, 620-700nm).  With limited use of blue and red LEDs we can achieve a much higher PAR level than other fixtures provide.  Blue and red LEDs emit very low lumens per watt and excessive use of these LEDs lowers the overall PAR of the LED fixture.

Because we do not use orange, yellow, or green LEDs in our systems, the spectrum that nuisance algae flourish at is virtually eliminated.  We have conducted numerous experiments to back up this statement.  We have proven that excessive use of red, green, and yellow LEDs lead to excessive algae growth as well as the dreaded cyanobacteria.


You can see from viewing the video how much the use of colored LEDs promotes algae growth.  Many aquarists believe that the more colored LEDs there are in a fixture, the better it must be.  This is very untrue and is detrimental to coral growth and reproduction as well as triggering nuisance algae growth.

Low Kelvin white LEDs can produce the same nuisance algae growth.  Many LED manufacturers will use 7,000 to 10,000K off the shelf LEDs in their fixtures and an excessive amount of blue LEDs to compensate for the yellow tinge similar to that emitted by metal halide lamps in the 7,000 to 10,000 Kelvin range.  Most reef aquarists would not use lamps in this Kelvin range but freshwater aquarists would benefit their use in growing freshwater aquatic plants.  So, why use low Kelvin white LEDs in reef lighting systems?  Since no high Kelvin white LEDs are available, Orphek’s goal was to design and produce our own high Kelvin white LEDs in Kelvin temperatures ranging from 16,000-25,000K.  What we have successfully accomplished is to provide the correct full spectral range which allowed us to use a minimal amount of blue and our special wide spectrum red LEDs.  We do not use off the shelf 640 and 660nm red LEDs and use no algae promoting and PUR reducing orange, green, or yellow LEDs in any of our LED lighting systems.  No other LED manufacturing company can claim this.  What this does for the reef aquarist is to virtually eliminate the spectrum which nuisance algae flourish at and increase the PAR value in the PUR spectrum.

Typical 10K and 14K metal halide lamp spectrum which emits the
yellow, orange, and red spectrum. This can lead to nuisance algae growth.
Low Kelvin white LEDs can produce the same results.
Photo courtesy of Ushio Electric

Spectral curve of an Orphek LED Pendant

Multi-channel controllers

There are a few LED fixtures available, including our own Atlantik Pendant that allow different channels of light color to be independently controlled.  This is fine for short periods in the early morning and late evening viewing but during the photoperiod we recommend that all channels of light be on at an equal intensity.  Corals adapt to a specific spectrum and changing this throughout the day can be detrimental to the Zooxanthellae that provide the majority of their food.  The effect may look cool to you but we can assure you that it’s not cool for the corals.  On the reefs the spectrum never changes, just the intensity.

Our new Atlantik LED Pendant provides four channels of light which can be independently controlled.  No green, yellow, or orange LEDs are used, just beneficial LEDs that promote the growth and color of the corals.  Colored LEDs may enhance the coral’s color but serves no useful purpose for their growth and reduces the overall PAR/PUR level available to the corals.  Yellow and green LEDs emit high lumens per watt and therefore give a higher PAR reading but the PAR level in the PUR spectrum is reduced. To learn more about spectral wavelengths and how they affect corals, please read here.

http://orphek.com/led/2012/07/understanding-spectral-wavelengths/

Orphek’s goal has always been to provide high PAR levels in the PUR spectrum and to promote growth of Chlorophyll A and B which further benefits the Zooxanthellae that corals depend on to live and grow.

Orphek LED lighting provides high PAR/PUR, low energy use, no nuisance algae, and no heat.  What’s not to love about it?

ATLANTIK BREAKS ALL LED PAR RATINGS

ATLANTIK BREAKS ALL LED PAR RATINGS

Our new Atlantik LED Pendant is excelling in all fields of LED technology including spectral quality, features, and exceedingly high PAR/PUR levels.  At present, no other LED lighting manufacturer has produced a LED Pendant that exceeds the PAR/PUR level of our Atlantik.





The Apogee Quantum Sensor was placed 2.4 meters (7.87 feet) above the Atlantik Pendant.

Not too many people have a tank 7+ feet deep but Orphek wanted to prove that their new Atlantik could easily light deep tanks with the PAR/PUR needed for growing all photosynthetic corals.



As you can see, the results were astonishing, a PAR reading of 156 which is enough intensity in the PUR spectrum to grow most corals. 

Growing corals in very deep tanks is no longer a problem with our new Atlantik LED Pendant.  One Atlantik will easily cover a 48”L x 30”W aquarium and will allow your corals to exhibit their full color and natural beauty.

Our new Atlantik features:

• Models for aquariums less than 36 inches and over 36 inches in depth.


• Provides wider coverage than the PR156, our previous flagship model. Two more rows of LEDs were added to increase coverage. Light output is 50% more than the PR156.


• Modular in design so all components can be easily replaced by the user.


• High PAR/PUR for very deep aquariums.


• High efficiency LED drivers.


• Will be continually improved with new software and user will be able to download newer versions from our web site as they become available.


• No Atlantik will ever be obsolete.


• Sunriseto sunset, dawn / dusk simulator.


• Full dimming capabilities.


• Ability to store three different lighting programs.


• Only one controller needed if multiple units are used.


• Four independent channels of lighting with unlimited control for each channel.


• Full color control over all LED channels.


• Mimics metal halide and T5 lighting or a combination of both.


• High performance enhancement and longevity.


• Eliminate the need for digital light controllers.


• Orphek can provide custom LEDs for each channel of lighting if desired

ORPHEK LED PHOTO ACCLIMATION MYTH OR FACT

ORPHEK LED PHOTO ACCLIMATION MYTH OR FACT

Coral reefs are likely one of the harshest environments in the world in terms of the sun’s intensity and the UV/IR rays that are emitted.  Metal halide and HQI lighting can produce these same effects.  Although at a lower level than the sun, their emissions can still be dangerous to our coral inhabitants and our eyes without a means of filtering these rays out.  This leads many reef aquarists to believe that high intensity LED lighting can also be just as dangerous to their livestock without proper filtering of these rays.




Orphek has recently conducted a test with SPS, LPS and soft corals under our LED lighting for two months to disprove any of these theories.  This test involved using different spectrums with the intensity remaining the same.  The test system was also supplemented with essential nutrients that corals require for good growth rate and color.  During the two month test PAR was maintained at 1200 which is much higher than what most aquarists can provide in their reef systems.  At no time did any of the experimental corals show any signs of stress such as recession, bleaching or loss of color.  All corals continued to grow and display very good color.

There are reports from aquarists who switched to high PAR/PUR Orphek LED systems that report coral recession and/or bleaching.  This in fact is not directly caused by our high intensity lighting but more so the lack of availability of nutrients needed by the corals.  Orphek high PAR/PUR LEDs will trigger corals to accelerate their growth rate which in turn will exhaust necessary nutrients from the system if they are not supplemented and maintained properly.

Corals need more than a proper light source and calcium to grow and exhibit stunning color.  They also require magnesium and carbonates to develop new skeletal growth.  These three elements are the foundation blocks for all stony corals and must be maintained.

Calcium: 430-460ppm

Magnesium: 1290-1380ppm

Carbonates: 9-12dKH

These three foundation blocks alone, although necessary, will not allow corals to exhibit their full color and allow for rapid growth.  Other elements are also required to sustain a healthy colorful coral reef.  Our coral care supplementation program consists of the following:

Iodine, Bromine, and Fluorine are halogens that act as both antioxidants and oxidative agents which reduce coral bleaching.  Because of their high oxidative abilities they are depleted quickly and must be supplemented on a regular basis.  Iodine is also very useful for clams and invertebrates with exoskeletons.

Potassium and Boron play an essential role in the transportation of coral nutrients within the coral’s tissue and this also includes the nutrients that are provided by the Zooxanthellae.  These two elements also help with the formation of aragonite in the coral skeleton.

Manganese, Cobalt, Copper, Aluminum, Zinc, Chrome and Nickel are considered light metals and assist with many bio-chemical processes within the coral including respiration and production of chlorophyll.  Orphek LED lighting has a profound positive effect on chlorophyll A and B reproduction and is one reason corals exhibit wonderful color under Orphek LEDs.

Carbohydrates, Amino Acids, Fatty Acids, and Protein are directly absorbed by corals and are utilized in the process of coral protein production and tissue regeneration which helps the coral to expand its surface area to better absorb nutrients.

A good vitamin complex is useful for synthesis of chromo proteins and can duplicate the marine amino acids produced by Zooxanthellae.

Do not let this list of elements intimidate you; many companies are producing these elements already mixed in the proper proportions. Red Seais one example with their new Coral Program additives which include all of the above.  Above all, test for as many of these elements as possible.  Overdosing iodine, potassium, iron, and strontium can be detrimental to your reef.

Conclusions and Results of Test

• Photo acclimation is not required when using Orphek LED systems.  Orphek uses no dangerous UV or IR emitting LEDs.  Both metal halide and HQI lamps can produce dangerous levels of UV and IR, even when using protective filters.  Orphek LEDs use UV and IR LEDs that are safe for all corals and invertebrates.


• Light intensity in the wrong spectrum is detrimental to coral growth.


• A PAR of 150-300 in the PUR spectrum is all that is needed for good coral growth.


• Excessive use of green and yellow LEDs can have negative reactions with some corals and give false PAR/PUR readings.


• Supplementing nutrients and trace elements are necessary for good coral growth and color.

To further back up our statements we will soon be publishing a video taken of soft, SPS, and LPS corals grown under LEDs generating a PAR of 1000.  This will testify that photo acclimation is not required with our LED lighting systems and is compatible with all types of corals.

Our first post of coral color and fast growth can be read here.

http://orphek.com/led/2012/10/coral-color-and-fast-growth/

Orphek’s goal is not only to provide you with high technology LED lighting required for growing colorful corals fast, but also to educate you on the subject of growing corals.  We will continue to provide new information on our site as it becomes available.

Our systems provide:

1. No dangerous UV and IR light.


2. Minimal use of green and yellow LEDs which falsely increase PAR levels while providing no useful wavelength for growing corals.


3. No off the shelf white LEDs are used in our systems; we design our own 16K+ LEDs, the only true white LED that duplicates the Radium 20K metal halide lamp.


4. High PAR/PUR.


5. Most PAR per dollar.


6. Most systems are upgradable.


7. No wasted money on thunderstorm and disco effects or other selling gimmicks.

Orphek LEDs have remained on the market since their inception and is indicative to our success in LED technology.  Our goal is to continually improve our lighting and provide the lowest cost possible to our clients.  Our systems have been tested in over 1,000 different types of aquariums throughout the world.  Check our photo gallery and see the results for yourself.

http://orphek.com/led/gallery-marine-reef-aquarium-photos/

Do take a look at our newest LED technology, the PR72, which we believe will be our best selling pendant capable of growing corals in depths up to 38 inches.  Two PR72 Pendants will cover a 48"x24"x 30" and provide a PAR reading of 150 in the corners.

http://orphek.com/led/orphek-products/pr72-reef/

CORAL COLOR and FAST GROWTH

CORAL COLOR and  FAST GROWTH = PR72 AND WATER CHEMISTRY

The PR72 LED Pendant is one of Orphek’s latest products recently unveiled at MACNA 2012.  This milestone was fueled by Orphek’s desire to produce an affordable dimmable LED pendant which would fulfill the needs of many reefkeepers without sacrificing PAR/PUR values.

The PR72 uses the same high technology LEDs found in their best selling LED pendant, the PR156.  It comes equipped with a RJ45 cable that will interface with the Neptune VDM Lighting Module for no extra charge.

Using our advanced PR156 LED technology allows the PR72 to penetrate tanks 28 inches in depth with enough PAR/PUR to support all coral growth.  PAR tests were carried out on the PR72 at the recent MACNA Conference in Dallas, Texas and the results were stunning

With proper calcium, dKH, magnesium and other needed water chemistry maintained; your corals will grow at a rapid pace due to the intensity of our LEDs, and the focus we place on tuning our LEDs to produce the spectral curves corals best respond to. Corals will color up faster because our high technology LED lighting triggers rapid growth of zooxanthellae which gives corals their beautiful colors and is a necessary component for their survival and growth.





One PR72 will effectively cover a 20” x 20” x 24” tank providing ideal PAR/PUR levels for all coral inhabitants.

A user of our PR72s reported these PAR figures taken with an Apogee Quantum
meter and sensor. The pendants are hanging 14 ½” above the water surface and
produced a PAR reading of 205 at a 31” distance

INITIAL PAR TESTING ON THE ORPHEK PR72 DIMMABLE LED PENDANT

Latest PAR tests on the Orphek PR72 have been quite impressive.  The test aquarium (37.5 x 16.5 x 22.5 in inches) features two PR72 pendants hung at 13.5 inch centers above the aquarium with the lenses at 14 inches from the water surface.  Not shown is the PAR reading of 919 taken at the water’s surface which is 14” below the pendant’s lens.  The center PAR reading of 193 was taken directly in the center of the pendants.  If we add 14” (distance from pendant lens to water surface) to the lower right reading of 205 taken at 17” aquarium depth, the PAR reading of 205 is quite impressive at 31” of total distance from the Quantum sensor.
To better understand the importance of PAR/PUR relationship with spectral quality please read here.

Understanding Spectral Wavelengths

YOU’VE GOT DEEP, WE HAVE DIF100 LED Lighting

YOU’VE GOT DEEP, WE HAVE DIF100

We are hearing from more and more aquarists reporting their success with our DIF100 Pendants being used over their deep reef aquariums.
F. Samuel Slobusky who owns Wet Work Reefs in New Orleans, recently wrote to us describing with photos, his success with Orphek DIF100 LED lighting in his beautiful 479 gallon, 42 inch deep reef tank.





Each side consists of one Orphek DIF100 18k with 90 degree lens and one Orphek DIF100 25k with 90 degree lens.  An Orphek DIF30 blue with a 120 degree lens is also used for a total of 230 watts per side.  Samuel stated to us that within a week of installation, all of the corals, particularly those at the bottom of the display, are much fuller, with better color and polyp extension.

November 2011

June 2012

August 2012

The Acropora species above has nearly doubled in size in less than seven months.

Samuel also reported amazing growth and color at the deepest part of his system.

This Squamosa sp thrives at a depth of 39 inches

A light demanding Favia species at 38 inches deep

Proven success stories like this and many others we receive certainly defy the theory that 400 watt metal halide lighting is needed for deep reef aquariums.  If you have a deep tank, upgrading to Orphek LEDs will save you up to 50% in energy savings alone, no lamps to replace on a yearly basis, and eliminate heat issues due to metal halide and/or HQI lighting.

F. Samuel Slobusky, Owner | Wet Work LLC
New Orleans, Louisiana | (504) 458-3019
LA License # &  Insurance Policy # Upon Request

NOTED AUTHOR BOB GOEMANS OFFERS FREE BOOK

NOTED AUTHOR BOB GOEMANS OFFERS FREE BOOK

Bob Goemans, noted author of marine books and owner of the saltcorner.com web site has generously offered a 300,000 word, 1100 photo book free for the reading on his web site, www.saltcorner.com



Bob has written for Marine Fish Monthly for over fourteen years and may have had the world's longest running marine column as he has written 178 straight monthly articles for that magazine. And for the last couple of decades, Bob had a monthly column and various articles in Freshwater Aquariums and Marine Aquariums (FAMA), which was incorporated into Aquarium Fish International (AFI) several years ago and which has now sadly ceased its operations in Oct/2012. Bob has also written for Tropical Fish Hobbyist (TFH) for at least two decades, and for UK magazines such as Marine World, Practical Fishkeeping, and currently Marine Habitat, a bimonthly publication.

You can read this book by going here : THE 'LIVING' MARINE AQUARIUM MANUAL

No gimmicks, no registration required and nothing to buy, simply free for the taking.

ORPHEK PR156 PAR TESTING VIDEO

ORPHEK PR156 PAR TESTING video AT MACNA 2012

Orphek booth visitors witnessed impressive PAR test results of our best selling pendant, the PR156XP.

PR156 XP ratio

The PR156XP is furnished with its own programmable timer which controls each of the individual channels of blue and white light.  A dimmable model is also available which plugs directly into a digital controller light module such as the Neptune Apex system.