AcroOptics, a research lighting company with product lines focused on aquaculture, algaculture, horticulture and biological research, has developed the CRAVE LED Reef Aquarium Lighting System, a configurable native habitat simulation lighting system for aquaculture and reef aquariums, illuminated with LEDs from Osram Opto Semiconductors.

Osram integrates its Oslon LEDs in the coral lighting system, CRAVE LED Reef Aquarium Lighting System. (Source:Aqua Imports via Osram)

Designed to optimize the photosynthetic process, the CRAVE LED lighting fixture generates light peaks that correspond to the most efficient wavelength absorption ranges for the chlorophylls that power coral metabolism. Additionally, significant broad-spectrum coverage benefits both appearance and other light-sensitive biological processes.

The CRAVE System, with five different operational modes, can imitate the light characteristics required for the propagation and display of any type of invertebrate while consuming far less energy and emitting a fraction of the heat from metal halide fixtures with the same output. This efficiency results in reduced heat transfer to the tank and minimal evaporation, ensuring a stable reef environment.

“By integrating Osram Oslon LED technology, AcroOptics was able to design unique fixtures with targeted spectral content for the needs of researchers and high-end coral propagators. Combined with AcroOptics’ proprietary optics and electronics, the Osram Oslon family of LEDs gives us the ability to produce unmatched spectral power density, uniformity, and color rendering.” said Michael Hurowitz, VP Product Development at AcroOptics. “We look forward to continued collaboration with Osram on our product development efforts to enable us to rapidly deploy solutions to our customers' most challenging requirements.”

With the help of Osram technology, AcroOptics is already supporting several research studies at Universities. Current efforts include: Martian Hydroponics chamber using AcroOptics’ lighting to simulate the Martian sun; Incubating Antarctic algae samples for long term ecological research studies; Retrofit lighting for plant growth chambers in biology laboratory; and Laboratory growth of corals and study of calcification rates as well as chlorophyll density.

“The Oslon LED family of products used in the CRAVE System offers excellent advantages, especially for applications requiring tunable spectrum and superior uniformity with proprietary optics,” said Drake Stalions, General Lighting Senior Marketing and Business Development Manager Osram Opto Semiconductors. “We’re pleased to expand our catalogue of LED and application offerings to serve the coral reef and research lighting market.”

Available in two distinct color profiles and multiple configurations, the CRAVE System has the flexibility to meet even the most demanding reef-keeping applications.

Two of the Oslon family LEDs used in the coral lighting system: Oslon SSL 80 (hyper red) and Oslon SSL 150 (EQ white).(Osram/LEDinside)