PUR, PAS, PAR in Aquarium Reef/Planted Lighting;
Dec 21, 2019 15:05:32 GMT -5
devonjohnsgard likes this
Post by Carl on Dec 21, 2019 15:05:32 GMT -5
I have updated this popular and cutting edge article once again.
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2012/03/pur-vs-par-in-aquarium-lighting.html
Here is an excerpt from a section I have updated once more:
"Before we go into depth about the meat of this article, we can use the basics of PAR combined with input wattage to get some useful information about the efficiency of an aquarium LED light (or really any aquarium light).
The reason this is important is that many if not most LED fixtures can keep high light planted or reef aquariums, but many if not most use a lot more energy and last much lesser time due to inefficiencies than need be if built with efficiency (including optimized PUR) and durability in mind (which bring up initial costs, but pays for itself long term).
Here are five examples using PAR reading directly under the lights (within the FULL footprint of the light, not using pin point "hot-spots").
Keep in mind that the lower the number, the more efficient the LED light is, and it is common for cheaper LED lights to have higher numbers:
SB Reef Light PRO 32. This is rated at 363 watts input energy with a PAR of approximately 881 (100%) at 400mm of air.
This comes to .41 watts of input energy per 1 PAR
Kessil A150. This is rated at 90 watts input energy with a PAR of approximately 325 (100%) at 400mm of air.
This comes to .27 watts of input energy per 1 PAR
AquaRay Reef White NP 2000. This is rated at 30 watts input energy with a PAR of 380 at 400mm of air.
This comes to .08 watts of input energy per 1 PAR
Finnex Planted 24/7 20 inch model. This is rated at 15 watts input energy with a PAR of 61 at 400mm of air.
This comes to .24 watts of input energy per 1 PAR
VIPARSPECTRA UL Certified V450 450W. This is rated at 200 watts input energy with a PAR of 370 at 400mm of air.
This comes to .54 watts of input energy per 1 PAR"
Carl
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2012/03/pur-vs-par-in-aquarium-lighting.html
Here is an excerpt from a section I have updated once more:
"Before we go into depth about the meat of this article, we can use the basics of PAR combined with input wattage to get some useful information about the efficiency of an aquarium LED light (or really any aquarium light).
The reason this is important is that many if not most LED fixtures can keep high light planted or reef aquariums, but many if not most use a lot more energy and last much lesser time due to inefficiencies than need be if built with efficiency (including optimized PUR) and durability in mind (which bring up initial costs, but pays for itself long term).
Here are five examples using PAR reading directly under the lights (within the FULL footprint of the light, not using pin point "hot-spots").
Keep in mind that the lower the number, the more efficient the LED light is, and it is common for cheaper LED lights to have higher numbers:
SB Reef Light PRO 32. This is rated at 363 watts input energy with a PAR of approximately 881 (100%) at 400mm of air.
This comes to .41 watts of input energy per 1 PAR
Kessil A150. This is rated at 90 watts input energy with a PAR of approximately 325 (100%) at 400mm of air.
This comes to .27 watts of input energy per 1 PAR
AquaRay Reef White NP 2000. This is rated at 30 watts input energy with a PAR of 380 at 400mm of air.
This comes to .08 watts of input energy per 1 PAR
Finnex Planted 24/7 20 inch model. This is rated at 15 watts input energy with a PAR of 61 at 400mm of air.
This comes to .24 watts of input energy per 1 PAR
VIPARSPECTRA UL Certified V450 450W. This is rated at 200 watts input energy with a PAR of 370 at 400mm of air.
This comes to .54 watts of input energy per 1 PAR"
Carl