- Today on BRStv Investigates,
if you choose an LED light that's more closely proportionate
to the size of tank area that you wanna illuminate.
Will you see better performance in spread,
reduced shadowing or even PAR throughout the entire tank.
Today we test the larger panel style,
Orphek Atlantik V4 LED
to find out how mega tanks like this 2000 gallon mixed reef
or hundreds of other reefers using the same morphix
are able to create beautiful works of living art
in their own homes.
The settings, data behind these LEDs are coming up.
(upbeat music)
Hi, I'm Randy with this red is BRSTV Investigates.
We experiment on our own tanks
so you don't have to experiment on yours
and today, we seek out the ideal spread, spectrum
and PAR of the Atlantik V4
to help those of you considering this LED module
over your own tank,
to give better understanding of how to use them
to create awesome tanks like these reefers
have already been able to accomplish for themselves.
If you remember, we've already witnessed first hand
the amazing results that come from using
a bank of 24 Orphek Atlantik V4s.
When we toured Sean's 2000 gallon heavy SPS mixed reef,
but there's no denying the success
that hundreds of other reefers have achieved
when they share their tanks on reefing forums
like Reef 2 Reef.
So to give the Orphek its proper due,
today we're putting it to the test on our own
two foot by two foot cube
and four foot by two foot test tanks.
For a better picture into how you can achieve
awesome tanks like these using your own Atlantik
over your own tank.
Right off the bat, I'll say that the results
you'll see from our testing will demonstrate
how we believe the Orphek V4 is the right tool
for the right job for reefers who require
more than higher average mounting heights
upwards of 15 to 18 inches or more,
however within our BRS testing criteria
and standards for every light that we test,
today you'll see how trading
slightly more light efficiency loss
or light spilling out of the tank
will likely be the best way to achieve our PAR goals
for the most common LPS and softie tanks.
And SPS dominated systems, which is likely how most reefers
already using the Orphek
have created their own stunning tanks.
A little extra light spill inside the surrounding room
isn't a deal breaker for everyone.
And although Orphek remains one of the first reef
LED lighting manufacturers
to embrace the larger panel of LEDs,
instead of chasing down to the smallest
most compact lighting fixture.
They've also been one of the only lights that we've tested
which addresses light spill into your eyes
from a sitting position
by incorporating a large acrylic bottom panel below the LEDs
that helps to reduce visual spill into the eyes,
focusing more light down into the tank
and effectively raising the mounting height potential
of this larger panel of LEDs.
So with that, let's dive right into today's testing
and reveal the results for spread, spectrum and PAR
from the Orphek Atlantik V4
starting with our test to determine its spread
by identifying the right number of modules
for our tank type goals.
Finding the optimal mounting height
and learning how to properly space
multiple modules if necessary,
all three with the goal of achieving
an even spread of light intensity
that wraps around our corals and minimizes hotspots,
cold spots and shadowing.
Let's hit that first component of spread
and how many Atlantik V4 panels we recommend
for both lower light demand tanks
like LPS and Softies or higher PAR demand tanks
full of branching SPS, where our testing results show that
over a 24 by 24 inch area, a single Orphek V4
is ample enough to support both tank types
by simply changing the overall intensity
of the recommended LED channel settings
that we're going to share a bit later.
As for lighting a tank area that is double the length
of 48 inches by 24 inches,
as much as we'd hoped to see a single 24 inch Orphek
get the job done for our LPs and Softie tangles.
Even at a super high mounting height
of 24 inches off the water.
It just doesn't produce the spread that we aim for
to cover a full four foot tank from edge to edge,
in which case, if you were set on using Orphek
to light a similar 48 inch area
for corals with lower PAR demands,
I would recommend checking out our tests
for two Atlantik V4 compacts instead.
However, if your goal is to dominate your 48 inch tank
with SPS colonies and branching sticks,
two Atlantik V4s is our recommendation to get you there.
And since each fixture is 24 inches,
they actually look really good mounted side by side
over a four four tank,
which plays have the benefit of using two lights
for a tank this size by removing the guesswork
of how to space them properly for the most even spread,
because two are a perfect fit.
So with that, we've knocked out two of the three components
to determining the ideal spread for the Orphek V4,
but we've saved the most important component for last,
which answers the question
of how high we recommend mounting them over your tank.
To approach this test.
We mount a single Atlantik V4
over our 24 by 24 inch testing area
at six inches off the top of the water,
measure the PAR across 36 data points
in the top six inches of the tank,
then raise the light one inch at a time
until we find the most even spread and distribution
from the center to the outer edges as possible.
There is a stopping point to this test
and that's when we see the total average PAR
across all 36 points, fall below 15% of the starting point,
being that 15% or more of the light output
is lost to efficiency
and related lights spilling out of the testing area
and into the room.
Let's look at that Orphek mounting height test
at the very low six inch mounting height off the water
and from the 858 center, 233 outer ring
and 402 total average PAR.
We can see just how the longer width
of this light acts inside a tank,
where rather than a single point hotspot
directly in the middle of the tank,
the hotspot is actually stretched across
the entire tank in the middle where there's PAR
as high as the 700s on the left and right edges.
Yet in the extreme corners, the PARs only reaches
40s and 50s indicating that we need to mount it much higher
in order to achieve an even spread.
Again, we did test the light inch by inch raising it upward.
So let's check in at 10 inches off the top of the water,
where there's now a total average PAR of 364,
meaning a 9% loss of light efficiency from where we started.
Yet we've cooled down the center to 692
and increase those extreme corners of our testing area
by double or more, which shows that the light
is now being spread out more evenly
across all 36 data points.
However, it's not until we reach a mounting height
of 15 inches off the water
where we find that 15% threshold for light spill,
meaning that for our goals, the test is complete
and we were able to decrease the intensity
of the hotspot center to 557, while at the same time
increasing those extreme outer edges more evenly,
which is not only going to increase
the optimal coral placement areas,
but also benefit us a bit later
when we show you our recommended intensity settings
providing you with a template starting point
to set up your own V4 for similar tanks.
And we are one step closer
to sharing those recommended settings intensities and PAR,
you can expect to replicate from using them.
But there's one more aspect to lighting
that we need to cover first,
now that we have a better understanding
of the Orphek V4 spread, and that is spectrum.
In this next light testing section,
you can expect to walk away understanding
three important components
to the spectrum that the Atlantik provides.
First is what spectrum it has to offer
through its four controllable channels,
which provides an idea of what spectrum ratio mix
you'll be able to create.
Some lights having as many as eight controllable channels
to choose from, while others having just one
yet each all have their individual specific
intended purpose and job to do.
Knowing the individual spectrum availability
is the first step in choosing a spectrum ratio mix
that meets the needs of our corals metabolically,
as well as creating ideal coral coloration,
which is the second spectrum component we'll discuss
and provide you with our recommended settings
to create a spectrum ratio mix
that we believe in meets those needs
and comparing that recommended spectrum mix
against the very popular light gold standard option,
the ATI Blue Plus T5 bulb.
And that third component to understanding
the Orphek spectrum lies in a dynamic spectrum test
that will determine how well the Atlantik's lens design
and LED arrangement will blend our spectrum ratio mix
into one uniform spectrum blend,
where we're left with one even color
inside the tank rather than a bunch
of individual LED colors.
Up first, we familiarize ourselves with those four available
channels from the Orphek, starting with channel one,
which is a mix of white, yellow and green LEDs,
that has a predominant spectral peak
in that green to teal range of 495.
Channel two with its peak at 460
is what most would consider being royal blue,
and a range where we typically find
the most coral pop.
That third channel is a mix of UV and violet LEDs
which provide us with one of the widest representations
below 420 that we've tested while channel 4
is a mix of red orange and some blue LEDs,
that give it a warm red orange to slightly
warm purple look in the tank,
which we will wind up using sparingly
in the next component of spectrum
where we test and create our BRS recommended
spectrum ratio mix.
Our approach to creating that spectrum mix follows
the thought process of creating
as wide of a blue spectrum band as possible
between 400 and 500,
where corals draw a large majority of their energy from,
by turning all available blue and UV channels to max,
then we add in some white to balance out that heavy blue
for our eyes and add in some red channel,
a little more sparingly to accent the entire thing.
After applying this approach to our Atlantik V4,
we struck a balance for each of these criteria
by setting channel 2 and 3,
which is blue and UV and violet to 100%.
Channel one that predominantly white to 60%
and Channel Four the oranges and reds to 20%.
Here's what that recommended spectrum ratio looks like
and when we overlay the ATI blue plus spectrum overtop,
we find that although it's not as thick between 420 and 450
does match up pretty well in other areas
below 420 and beyond 460, making it a solid choice
for the spectrum goals that we set out to achieve.
Now we move on to our third component of spectrum testing
with a dynamic test of blending,
where we set the Orphek
to our recommended spectrum ratio mix we just gave you
mounted it 15 inches off the top
of the water and use a spectrometer
to take 10 spectrum readings
under our 60 gallon tank of turbulent water,
looking for extreme shifts to that spectrum,
which would indicate color separation
and poor spectrum blending.
As we cycle through those 10 readings other than some peaks
and valleys that fluctuate below 435
and in that violet near UV range.
For the most part, our recommended spectrum remains
relatively blended.
All right, we now come to the point
where we tie all of this data together
and the testing that we learned today,
into some real world usable settings and intensities
to help you dial in your own Orphek
Or at least provide you with a template starting point,
so you can make smarter, more informed adjustments
and matching your own tank goals for PAR.
In that spirit we keep two tank type goals in mind
for dialing in our recommended settings,
and those are for tanks filled with LPS, Softies
and polyps like these tanks you see here,
where PAR demand is in a target range of 75 to 150,
through out as much of the tank as possible.
And those second tank type PAR goals revolve around
those showstopping SPS dominated systems
like these that are filled to the brim with branching corals
which require typically higher average PAR.
Our target PAR range for these types of tanks
is to fill the area top to bottom
and side to side with PAR between 200 to 350,
as best we can.
Let's see how well we were able to tune
our 24 inch Orphek V4 to hit those target ranges,
first in a two foot by two foot 60 gallon cube test tank
for both LPS and SPS systems,
then find out what these larger panel LEDs can do
at achieving the same goals on a tank
double the length at four foot by two foot.
In either case in both tests, we will mount the Orphek
at 15 inches recommended mounting height off the water
set them to that BRS recommended spectrum ratio mix.
However, to reach our specific PAR goals for each tank tab,
we will adjust the overall intensity of that ratio
up or down in order to hit as many PAR data points
as possible from the top down to the bottom of each tank.
Starting with our 24 by 24 inch 60 gallon testing area
and LPS Softy PAR goals, in attempting to fill
as much of that tank as possible with PAR between 75 to 150.
We were able to hit 79% of the entire tank or 85 out of 108
data points measured at 6, 12 and 18 inches deep
in the tank,
and in order to do that, we lowered our spectrum ratio mix
to 40% meaning that channel 2 and 3 were at 40%,
channel 1 was set to 24% and channel 4 was set to 8%.
Next up in our 60 gallon testing area,
we targeted those SPS dominated PAR goal ranges
of 200 to 350, or we tested 68% or 73 out of 108 data points
in the top middle and bottom of the tank,
with our recommended spectrum ratio mix set to max,
with channel 2 and three at 100% ,
channel 1 at 60 and channel 4 at 20%.
As you can see, these settings performed very well at 12
and 18 inches deep in the tank,
yet remains a little on the warm side
in the top six inches, which can be improved by raising
the light a little higher off the top of the tank,
keeping in mind that doing so,
will result in slightly more efficiency loss.
Now that we've dialed in a 24 by 24 inch testing area
using a single Atlantik V4,
let's see if a single Orphek over a tank twice that length
at 48 inches can achieve our same 75 to 150 PAR goals,
in which case to maximize the spread of a 24 inch module
over a tank twice the size,
we need to raise the light significantly higher,
than our recommended 15 inches off the water.
We found the best spread possible,
at a mounting height of 24 inches,
which still isn't ideal for complete coverage across
the forefoot area, and is demonstrated in that 63%
of the entire tank reaching those 75 to 150 PAR goals.
However, now that we have a clearer picture
into what you can expect to achieve using a similar setup,
you can better decide if this is the right option
for you or if a better tool for the job exists,
such as choosing to smaller Orphek compacts,
which are far more cost effective
than using two full size V4s for these lower PAR demands.
And spreads the light out more evenly
with the extreme left and right edges
because you can space them further apart.
Next up we test the performance of two Orphek V4s
for our goal of filling the forefoot test tank
from top to bottom and PAR between 200 and 350,
again we mounted them side by side
at our recommended 15 inches off the top of the water
and this time lowered, our recommended spectrum ratio mix
by 15% across all four channels,
meaning channel 2 and 3 are set to 85%,
channel 1 at 51%, channel 4 at 17%.
With these settings,
we find a total of 131 out of 198 PAR data points
in that 200 to 350 pocket,
which is a pretty solid performance
at 12 and 18 inches deep in the tank.
Yet the increased average PAR
in the top six inches of the tank brings the entire tank
to just 66% of all the testing points
and just 4% shy of our 70% goal.
So that isn't to say that the goals
that we're trying to reach are unattainable,
but rather in order to more effectively
use the Orphek as the right tool to get us there.
It will require them to be mounted slightly higher
than what we found to be optimal,
so that we can find a sweet spot
where the top middle and bottom of the tank
are more evenly covered.
That's it, we raised the Orpheks
to 18 inches off the top of the water
and retested with our recommended spectrum ratio
increased to 95% or channel 2 and 3 at 95.
Channel 1 and 57 and channel 4 at 19.
And now we've improved to 72%
of the entire four foot by two foot test tank,
falling at or within 200 to 350 goal.
This actually goes to show that
with a little bit of tweaking
and some toleration in light efficiency loss,
we can adapt our tools to perform better
by setting them just outside
of what might be considered most ideal.
So does that mean that the Orphek Atlantik V4
is the right tool for your tank?
Well, if evidence like Sean's 2000 gallon mixed reef
or handfuls of other successful reefers,
who shared their tanks on forums and reefing groups
haven't convinced you yet,
look at your tank with the data
that we showed you today in mind
and ask yourself questions like,
what mounting height works best for me?
Will matching the size of my light
to the size of my tank better serve my needs?
Do I like the idea of having only
four color channels to control?
Within those questions lies your answer,
yet if you need a little more inspiration
on what you can achieve using the Atlantik V4 panels,
then you better check out the full tank tour
Ryan and I did have Sean's epic 2000 gallon system
right here in Northern Minnesota.