TMC has a newer series of 600 series LED Aquarium Lights;
The AAP AquaBeam 600 Ultima LED from TMC
Revised 1-8-19
A friend loaned me one for testing and while this article is based on preliminary results, I am now quite happy with the results as of the latest update.
Here is List of Specifications along with some editorial comment:
- FOR THE REEF WHITE: (4) Blue 465nm and (4) Ocean White 10K patented Cree ML-E emitters
- 18K overall color temperature
- Approximate max PAR depth penetration for high light need specimens; 400mm (16 inches)
Editorial: This LED fixture should be OK for 24 inch deep aquariums, however specimen placement for high light specimens should be 16 inches or less - 120 degree lens.
Editorial: Similar Light spread to XP-E and XP-G Cree emitters, which also are not best past 24 inches of water) - Utilizes new Cree ML-E emitters rated at 1.6 watts per emitter. These emitters allow for more voltage variance with high energy output per watt used.
Editorial: These new emitters seem to run even cooler than earlier emitters with a voltage variance that likely will be less sensitive to voltage spikes that moisture in an aquatic environment can cause.
These may be the answer to the occasional failure of the first emitter in about 5% of previous versions of the #600 - Utilizes standard TMC Mounting Options except for female Teflon screw/bolt receptacle.
Editorial: While there are many TMC and DIY mounting options available, most without additional purchases of parts, I disagree with the elimination of this one option by TMC
Here is a simple picture that essentially show light energy penetration through two layers of white computer paper.
One shows the AquaBeam 600 XR-E Reef White with proven excellent results against the new AquaBeam 600 Ultra ML-E Reef White.
This is the exact color difference utilizing a Reef White 600 and a Reef White 600 Ultima; each wrapped with two layers of computer paper, then placed the maximum optimum PAR distance (400mm) over more computer paper.
What I find interesting & did not expect is the new “600 Ultra ML-E Reef White” produced slightly more brighter white light with a higher percentage of blue emitters than the previous model.
The new 600 Ultima ML-E series is different from the previous series.
*The Marine White now utilizes (2) Blue ML-E along with (6) 10K ML-E Daylight (Ocean White) to obtain the 14K the previous version produces with only 14K XR-E emitters.
*The new Marine Blue has only (2) 10K ML-E emitters with (6) Blue ML-E emitters to produce approximately 20K
See this picture to the left for TMC published Spectrographs and information (click to enlarge).
In Summary;
These are early test results, I will test these lights further and more importantly, continue to consult with aquarium maintenance professionals and their experiences with these new LED Lights, as I do for ALL my articles.
These results will be posted as time goes on via future updates.
For further in depth Aquarium Light Information:
Aquarium Lighting Information
For those interested in aquarium disease prevention, this is the best article on the subject of the use of Aquarium UV Sterilizers:
UV Sterilizer Use; Aquarium or Pond
Copyright 2019
By Steve Allen
Aquarium Article Digest 