PPFD and PAR data you can compare

We aggregate published PPFD/PAR figures for grow lights and reef fixtures, show them next to independent measurements, and cite every source. We also keep plain guides for estimating light without a quantum meter and simple converters for lux, PPFD, and DLI.

Fixture data

• AI Hydra 32HD PPFD & PAR Data — Aggregated PAR data for the Aqua Illumination AI Hydra 32HD reef light: manufacturer specs next to an independent DaniReef LAB PAR test, with every value sourced.
• AI Prime 16HD PPFD & PAR Data — Aggregated PAR data for the Aqua Illumination AI Prime 16HD reef light: the manufacturer's single published figure next to independent hobbyist PAR readings, every value sourced.
• EcoTech Radion XR15 G6 PAR & PPFD Data — Aggregated PAR data for the EcoTech Marine Radion XR15 G6: what EcoTech actually publishes versus hobbyist PAR readings, with every value sourced.
• Kessil A360X PAR & PPFD Data — Aggregated PAR data for the Kessil A360X: Kessil's own coverage and PAR-range figures next to BRStv bench numbers, with every value sourced.
• Mars Hydro FC6500 PPFD & PAR Data — Aggregated PPFD/PAR data for the Mars Hydro FC6500: manufacturer figures next to an independent PAR test, with every value sourced.
• Mars Hydro TS1000 PPFD & PAR Data — Aggregated PPFD/PAR data for the Mars Hydro TS1000: the manufacturer's own PPFD map transcribed into a grid, next to an independent PAR test, with every value sourced.
• Spider Farmer G8600 PPFD & PAR Data — Aggregated PPFD/PAR data for the Spider Farmer G8600 800 W bar light: the manufacturer's own 8×8 PPFD grid transcribed to text, with every value sourced.
• Spider Farmer SF2000 PPFD & PAR Data — Aggregated PPFD/PAR data for the Spider Farmer SF2000: the manufacturer's own PPFD map transcribed to text, set next to an independent field test, with every value sourced.
• Spider Farmer SF4000 PPFD & PAR Data — Aggregated PPFD/PAR data for the Spider Farmer SF4000: manufacturer figures next to an independent PAR test, with every value sourced.
• VIPARSPECTRA XS2000 PPFD & PAR Data — Aggregated PPFD/PAR data for the VIPARSPECTRA XS2000: the manufacturer's own PPFD map transcribed into a grid, next to an independent PAR test, with every value sourced.

Guides

• Are Grow Light PPFD Charts Accurate? — Why manufacturer PPFD charts usually run optimistic — best-case heights, reflective tent walls, center-weighted sampling, PPF-vs-PPFD unit games — with sourced third-party vs manufacturer gaps.
• How to Estimate PAR in a Reef Tank Without a Meter — Practical ways to approximate reef tank PAR when you don't own a quantum meter — manufacturer PAR maps, borrowing a meter, and why phone lux apps are unreliable underwater.
• How Grow Light PPFD Changes at Different Heights — How hanging height changes PPFD on a grow light: the inverse square rule, why a wide LED panel falls off more gently than that rule predicts, and real chart data at several heights.
• How to Read a Grow Light PPFD Chart — A practical guide to reading a manufacturer's PPFD map: hanging height labels, grid layout, units, tent size, and the edge fall-off that the center number hides.
• Is My Grow Light Strong Enough? How to Tell — Target PPFD by growth stage (seedling, vegetative, flowering) and a step-by-step way to check whether your grow light actually hits those numbers at the canopy.
• How to Measure PPFD Without a Meter (Phone Camera Method) — How to estimate PPFD with a phone lux app or camera and a light-source conversion factor, the white-paper diffuser trick, and an honest account of how far off the result can be from a quantum sensor.
• PAR for Zoanthids (Zoas): Target Range and Placement — Target PAR ranges for zoanthids and Palythoa in a reef tank, aggregated from reef retailer and hobbyist care guides, with low/medium/high bands and every range sourced.
• PAR Levels for SPS, LPS and Soft Corals — Target PAR ranges (µmol/m²/s) for SPS, LPS and soft corals, aggregated from reef retailer and hobbyist lighting guides, with sources per range.
• PPFD for Lettuce and Herbs Indoors — Target PPFD and DLI ranges for growing lettuce, basil and other herbs indoors under LED, aggregated from horticulture guides and research, with every range sourced.
• PPFD for Seedlings, Veg and Flowering (Stage Chart) — Target PPFD and DLI ranges by growth stage — seedling, vegetative, and flowering — aggregated from grow-light guides, with the spread across sources and every range sourced.

Tools

• Lux to PPFD converter — approximate PPFD from a lux reading by light-source type.