Todd's ATS Build... some new pics

Ah that was you on RC

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

** 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.

 

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

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.

 

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.

 

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


Seperately, the LED side

Flip side LED



and the CFL side

The flip side CFL


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.

 

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.

 

Beer algae.