Todd's ATS Build... some new pics

Discussion in 'I made this!' started by Todd_Sails, Aug 25, 2015.

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  1. Turbo's Aquatics

    Turbo's Aquatics 3reef Sponsor

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  3. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    OK, 7 day update:

    ** it seems the 3 x 100W equivalent 2700K CFL bulbs are initially growing slightly more
    green algae than the LED's!

    I"ll keep monitoring
     
  4. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    Actually, both sides are growing about the same at day 7

    But the Led's are much darker growth, even when I shine the white light on it.

    Didn't SM say that darker was pulling more nutrients out?

    These are side by side, same water, etc.
     
  5. Keithp

    Keithp Plankton

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    It is neat that you have 2 identical to experiment on.
     
  6. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    ** OK, re-do 7 day update;

    I looked again, closer, with the ATS lights off (mid day)

    It IS a little thicker growth, and it's GREEN!
    I guess even with the white light while the red LED was on made it look much darker.
     
  7. Turbo's Aquatics

    Turbo's Aquatics 3reef Sponsor

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    Ok, so the LED side is greener and thicker with the LEDS off and white light on it? Just trying to decipher your posts :hehe:

    If that's the case, that makes sense. Red + Green = black, since there is no green component they algae would actually look dark with the red light on it, even though it's not.
     
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  9. SantaMonica

    SantaMonica Fire Shrimp

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    Darker growth does contain more proteins, etc, per gram of growth (which is what makes it dark). Problem is it lets go, and it block the roots quickly.
     
  10. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    OK, Day 14 update!

    The two light systems (CFL's, and 30W LEDs x 2) seem to both brow thicker green algae well.

    The Led seems to be a more uniform growth over the entire sheet, while the CFL seems to grow thicker in the middle,
    and not as uniform.

    CFL on left, LED's on the right pic
    [​IMG]

    Seperately, the LED side
    [​IMG]
    Flip side LED
    [​IMG]


    and the CFL side
    [​IMG]
    The flip side CFL
    [​IMG]

    So, after 2 weeks of growth on seasoned/already used sheets,
    I think the LED's are overall thicker/greener in person; the CFL's also work well however.

    I cleaned them both and see what will happen in 2 more weeks.
     
  11. Turbo's Aquatics

    Turbo's Aquatics 3reef Sponsor

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    Great comparison. The LED probably has a bit more intensity and a better spread. CFLs in a dome reflector tend to have a hotspot and then intensity drops off quick as you go radially outward. Placing the CFL sideways with a curved rectangualr specular (polished) reflector behind it can make the level more even and get rid of the hotspot.
     
  12. SantaMonica

    SantaMonica Fire Shrimp

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