Dalua X4 par map data
- Thread starter Djrice
- Start date
Can someone that understands this explain the results?
I have no intent on testing those. It’s in a different category
Spectral can be changed in the apps to what ever color spectral you want it’s not fixed like the atlas which has its limitations, but did you want to see the blue plus violet or all channel which includes whites
it’s all laid out for you. Each square is 6”x6” center average ppfd based on foot print and mounting height. The grid is 36”x36”-at 30” mounting height which is extremely high for this light. Light is relative to the distance. Example every 2 square is 1 foot or 12 inches so every 4 square is 2ftx2ft or 24 inches x24 inches of light coverage. For uniform coverage
what are you referring too?
Price per par/watts is irrelevant. It’s more about light distribution. I’m not here to tell you what to buy because everyone’s tank is different based on tank dimensions mounting height that’s why it’s irrelevant. Energy consumption and how you use the light should be the concern not the initial cost, the long term use cost. But optimizing output uniformity, for your application. Right tool right job is different for everyone’s tank. Not price per par because it lacks all the other useful features that one person may value. Example why do you need supplemental light bars vs having a main light. Why have multiple lights to achieve the same results with one or two lights? At the end of the day you are paying for more then one light fixture just to light a tank why bc it was probably under lit or lack the spread you need or color hence adding supplemental light. That just means more power cords to plug in. And paying more to add more lights
I don’t think it’s irrelevant, especially if someone is trying to budget their light purchases/choices, but I do agree that it’s not the most important thing, just one of many when considering choices. T5’s are awesome lights, but their appearance is flat within the tank, but that’s subjective. Their cost long term may not be the best choice, so what a fixture costs is relevant. A lot of great looking tanks use different fixtures to achieve the overall appearance and I have yet to find a single fixture that checks all the boxes. ATI stratons are really nice, but not cheap and one could get similar results with lower cost alternatives. I do agree that most need more fixtures than what they initially plan for, especially if one wants to grow acropora. One could argue that having a few more power bricks may be worth it, especially if the alternative is more than twice the price. I’m not trying to argumentative, but present a different approach. But to me, spectrum and how it’s distributed tends to be the most important thing regards to lighting. Most people look at par and think it’s the most important thing, but if the spectrum is crap, par doesn’t matter.
So would be adding a light bar to supplement the main light needed? Now you would be paying just as much when combined with a main light. I don’t throw the spectrum term around because most of the spectrum now a days is subjective to what you like as far as color. But if the main light has no control for tweaking the color/spectrum that you like but to add additional supplemental light is a no go for some people. And is a personal preference.
Ati straton X is a good budget option at 999 that can light up a 32”x32” spread that has really good spectrum par and spread especially for larger tanks. Slim design and uniform spread without the hotspots
I guess it all depends on what fixtures you're combining, so it could be more expensive or cheaper. I won't deny that the Straton x is a sexy light and if one wanted a sleek appearance, it's worth the money (I guess?). I think most modern LED fixtures will grow coral just fine, but I do think spectrum is key to overall health, especially when considering shallow water species. Too many fixtures focus on 450nm because it provides the "pop", but those whose spectrum have peaks around 428nm will see better long term results.
And I agree, a lot of this boils down to personal preference, but there are so many new hobbyists who have no clue about any of this and want to use the best possible light(s) they can afford. As I stated earlier, spectrum is very important and I also think it's overlooked or that people trust manufacturers info. But I also find that manufacturers exaggerate their coverage, especially when lighting acropora, so time will tell how well the Straton x will perform?
Btw, I do enjoy discussions like these, as there's a lot to learn and to pass onto others.
Corals do adapt to spectrum, corals reflect and absorb color that they don’t and or do use regardless of spectrum peaks. It shouldn't matter because it’s relative intensity and angle of refraction which shifts the spectrum. Water chemistry, nutrient is far more important than light. As far is light uniformity, water movement above the water surface if given uniform light will bend as light transmit and hit the corals that’s based on the deposition where corals reach for light. A topic for debate would be what pulls more color more out of sps. Or what color up corals faster? Shading of corals. As corals grow and shade themselves. Or growth structure of tabling corals vs having corals grow up right in a vertical fashion. As far as budget light theres a place for beginners and advance a like, but as you grow out of the system you would want to save up for a nice upgrade. Better to cry once not twice. You don’t know what you are missing until actually owning it.
