Aqua Knight V2 Par Reading

Summary

In this video, the creator showcases the Aqua Knight V2 LED light and its performance on an Innovative Marine Fusion 20 tank. They demonstrate the PAR readings, highlighting how the light performs in different tank areas. Despite its affordable price, the Aqua Knight delivers impressive power, achieving over 500 PAR at the water surface and sustaining around 100-150 PAR in deeper sections, making it suitable for various coral types. The review emphasizes its strong performance for smaller tanks, though it's not recommended for larger setups, offering a cost-effective lighting option for reef tanks.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video introduces an update on the display tank and highlights the performance of the Aqua Knight V2 light.
• 😀 The Aqua Knight V2 is shown to be a powerful and affordable lighting option for reef tanks, priced around $100.
• 😀 The light is compared to the more expensive 300 Prime, which is not visibly distinguishable in the tank setup.
• 😀 The Aqua Knight is suitable for a tank size of around 14x14 inches and a depth of 16-18 inches.
• 😀 The PAR meter is used to measure the light's output, giving an idea of the light strength across the tank.
• 😀 At the water's surface, the Aqua Knight V2 hits a PAR reading just over 500, which is too strong for most corals at that level.
• 😀 For growing hard corals like acropora and montipora, the light provides a PAR reading around 300, which is ideal.
• 😀 The PAR reading at 8 inches down in the tank, where LPS corals are growing, measures around 100-150, which is optimal for those corals.
• 😀 The sand bed (bottom of the tank) has a PAR reading of 100, which is considered perfect for growing most LPS corals.
• 😀 While the Aqua Knight V2 works well in smaller tanks (like the Innovative Marine Fusion 20), it might not be strong enough for larger tanks or deeper setups.
• 😀 Overall, the Aqua Knight V2 is highly praised for its performance at a reasonable price, making it a great option for small reef tanks.

Q & A

What is the Aqua Knight V2 light, and what makes it stand out?

The Aqua Knight V2 is an affordable yet powerful LED light designed for reef tanks. It is noted for its strong light output, offering high PAR readings even at a budget-friendly price point, making it a great choice for smaller tanks.

What tank size is the Aqua Knight V2 suitable for?

The Aqua Knight V2 is suitable for smaller tanks, particularly those around 20 gallons or less. It provides ideal coverage for tanks that are 14 inches deep and about 14x14 inches in surface area.

What PAR readings were observed at the surface of the water?

At the surface of the water, the Aqua Knight V2 delivered over 500 PAR, which is quite powerful, though typically too intense for most corals, which can burn under that level of light.

How does the Aqua Knight V2 perform deeper in the tank?

As the light passes through more water, the PAR readings decrease. For hard corals like Acropora and Montipora, it was around 300 PAR, which is ideal. For LPS corals placed about 8 inches down, the readings were around 100-125 PAR.

What PAR reading is ideal for the sand bed of the tank?

On the sand bed, a PAR of 100 was recorded, which is perfect for growing LPS corals, as they typically thrive with lower light intensity compared to SPS corals.

Can the Aqua Knight V2 be used for larger tanks?

No, the Aqua Knight V2 is not recommended for larger tanks like a 150-gallon one. It lacks the light intensity to penetrate deeper tanks, making it more suited for smaller tanks in the 20-30 gallon range.

How does the Aqua Knight V2 compare to the Prime LED light?

Although the Aqua Knight V2 is priced significantly lower than the Prime LED light, it delivers comparable performance in terms of PAR readings, making it an excellent budget option without sacrificing too much in terms of light output.

What makes the Aqua Knight V2 a great choice for budget reef keepers?

The Aqua Knight V2 offers impressive power and light output at a much lower price point compared to other high-end reef lights, making it an ideal choice for reef keepers on a budget who need a powerful light for smaller tanks.

How high is the Aqua Knight V2 mounted in the tank during testing?

In the video, the Aqua Knight V2 was mounted approximately 6 inches off the water surface, which is typical for getting the most out of the light's performance in a 14-inch deep tank.

How does the Aqua Knight V2's PAR performance compare to other reef tank lights?

The Aqua Knight V2 provides strong PAR readings that rival those of more expensive lights like the Prime, but at a fraction of the cost. It’s especially effective for smaller tanks, where it provides ample coverage and light intensity for coral growth.