![]() These high PAR numbers are to be expected considering we are running four 90 watt fixtures over a 4ft long aquarium. It is producing higher PAR and more even distribution than any of the comparable lights we have tested in the past and would be a perfectly suitable configuration for a heavily SPS dominant reef tank. With 3 ReefLEDs over the 4ft long tank we are getting into that SPS target PAR of 250-350 throughout the entire tank all the way down through a depth of 18”. What this means is two 90 watt ReefLED fixtures can effectively light a 120 gallon low light demanding reef aquarium. As we move down to a 18” depth the light is just about perfectly spread with an average PAR of 168 and minimal changes between the inner and outer rings. With two fixtures at a depth of 12”, we are getting an average par value of 185 with a peak of 235 in the center and low of 155 on the outer ring. To get a more clear picture of distribution, we moved over to a 2ft x 4ft 120 gallon aquarium and took PAR measurements using 2, 3 and 4 fixture configurations at the same mounting height of 8.5 inches. Red Sea echoes this in their light recommendations chart with a single ReefLED 90 being suitable for the Reefer 170 aquarium which measures 24.5 x 20 x 20 inches. In a real world scenario a single ReefLED 90 over a 24 inch cube falls just short of the target 250-350 PAR range for SPS but for slightly smaller or shallower tanks, a single ReefLED would be perfect for any type of corals. Considering only intensity, these are among the highest average PAR numbers we have seen to date proving that a tight cluster of LEDs under a single lens can effectively light the entire aquarium. Measurements are taken across a 36 point grid at depths of 6, 12 and 18 inches with the fixture set to Red Sea’s recommended 15,000 Kelvin color preset.Ĭompared to LED lights we have tested in the past, the ReefLED has performed really well. Our first set of data is taken from a single Red Sea ReefLED 90 mounted at the recommended 8.5 inches from the water’s surface over a 24 inch 60 gallon cube aquarium. We focus the PAR testing around high demand SPS dominant aquariums with a target of 250-350 PAR because if the light is capable of producing these numbers, it will have no problem supporting photosynthesis within lower light corals such as LPS and softies.Ĭheck out our video What’s the best PAR for SPS corals? in which we go into some pretty serious detail about PAR requirements for corals. We have tested a few different LEDs in this similar 90 watt range and we will take a similar approach with the Red Sea ReefLED 90 watt fixture by looking at it from three angles: coral health, visual appeal and features. We also share our thoughts about the features, specifications, mounting and control options and visual performance to ultimately help you choose the smartest lighting option for your tank. The wait is over for Red Sea’s ReefLED aquarium light and of course, we immediately put it through the gauntlet of rigorous PAR and spectrum testing to see if it produces a viable light energy source capable of sustaining corals’ metabolic functions.
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