Wouldn't the type or brand of LED be a greater factor than the wattage? As far as I know the different types and quality of LED put out different par ratings at depth and going by wattage doesn't really address the real question. Am I way off here?
You are not off here-this simple chart will never really address the question or issue properly. This table is meant to give a rough figure as to most people asked the the above question cannot provide enough details to begin with Therefore, a fluzzy solution to a fluzzy question is planned here.
I am trying to build a table with more and more creteria so the final data will become more valid as more data comes in.
-Brand of LEDs will affect the most of 15% difference in terms of brightness for the common ones being used now.
-In fact, generations of LED varies more than 15%. But unfortunately, not many fixture manufacturers can give you such details.
-Angle of the LED make more difference than 15% too. Try a 120 degree vs a 60 degree of the same LED, you can see the big difference. Not to mention, there is one brand of fixture that uses somewhat 15 degree.
-Color of the LED plays a lot in PAR difference too but does not always mean higher PAR is better according to some study. Some scientists suggest that high PAR of RED could be detrimental to coral growth.
-Location of the corals in relation to the source of LED is the most important factor of all as demonstrated in couple seminars I gave. Try the 20 inch of distance from the dead center of the LED and 20" distance from the LED at 60 degreee from the center.
Details of such are generally too tedious for most reefers to grasp, so they ask a fluzzy question which deserve a fluzzy answer base on the norm of what reerfers do with their tanks. Even though the answer is fluzzy, but it still serves some what a basis for continuing research.
So the theory behind this collection of data is based on somewhat statistical rather than scientific control experiement
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