Maxspect Ethereal Infinite : complete review
Released a few weeks ago, the Maxspect Ethereal Infinite triggered our curiosity, and we have the chance to have it in our hands to see what it has in the gut.
Sponsored article by
Overview
The Maxspect Ethereal Infinite is a 230W LED fixture for reef tanks. It is a thin (3,23 cm) rectangular fixture of 33 x 25,5 cm area. It weighs 1613 g.
On the top of the fixture stands a centreal area with quick action buttons, LED indicators (power and wifi). In the middle, a grid protects the cooling fan.
An extra fun feature of the Ethereal Infinite is its ambiance light around this central zone. There is a lot of colors and animations possible.
Mounting solutions
A mounting arm is directly sold with the fixture. It is suitable for 10 to 20 mm thick glass. It is easy to assemble with 8 screws.It has a neat finish et is sturdy. Bonus : a silicon gutter allows a clean cable management on the mounting arm.
You can otherwise buy extra hanging kits if you prefer it.
LED Composition
The number of diodes is one point of our curiosity. We can think that they are low power LEDS, that are less effective on greater water column height, but they are not ! Indeed, they are high-power LEDs but used at lower power. It has several advantages :
- Better colour mixing with more sources of each colour
- Wider light spreading with larger area covered by LEDs
- Greater lifespan as they will not produce excessive heat
There are 10 different colours divided into 8 channels :
- Channel A : 12 UV LEDs (390/400 nm) + 12 violet LEDs (410-420nm) + 12 deep blue LEDs (435-440 nm)
- Channel B : 96 Royal blue LEDs (450-455nm)
- Channel C : 72 Light blue LEDs (460-470nm)
- Channel D : 12 Cyan LEDs (470-480 nm)
- Channel E : 12 Green LEDs (520-525 nm)
- Channel F : 24 Cool White LEDs (9000-11000 Kelvin)
- Channel G : 12 Warm White LEDs (2800-3200 Kelvin)
- Channel H : 12 Red LEDs (660-665 nm)Here are individual spectra of each channel at full power :
We also measured full power spectrum, and a spectrum of the setup that we find interesting for mixed-reef tank. It allows corals growth and nice coloration. Be careful, the total power has to be adapted to your tank’s size, your nutrients levels and the light acclimatisation state of your corals. The Maxspect Ethereal allows a huge amount of possibilities to modulate the spectrum and the intensity to answer to your corals needs.
These two spectra are plotted against major photosynthetical pigments and photoprotective pigments (diadino).
We notice a strong emission in violet/blue/cyan domain and a small spike in the red corresponding to majors pigments absorption spikes.
Optics
It is another feature that triggers our curiosity : the optics. With this high amount of LEDs, Maxspect displayed them in 4 strips from each side of the central cooling fan. To simplify optics, 4 « gutters » overlay the LEDs and concentrating their power into a 90° diffusion cone.
A light shield protects your eyes from direct light. Very convenient and comfortable.
PAR measurements
After assessing the light spectrum, we measured intensity of light that is beneficial for coral growth, specifically using PAR (more accurately referred to as PPFD). The intensity is measured in micro-moles of photons per square meter per second (µmol photons/m²/sec).
Measurement Conditions: Intensity was recorded with all channels set to 100% power (shown in the first three plots) as well as under a program we typically use for a mixed reef tank (shown in the last three plots).
Depth Measurements: Measurements were conducted at depths of 20, 40, and 60 cm below the Maxspect Ethereal Infinite.
Measurement Area: An area of 80 x 60 cm was used for the intensity measurements.
Measurement Environment: Measurements were taken in open air, as the light reflection on the water surface can vary significantly depending on water flow.
Results : Here are some major observations. Area given are approximative according to the measuring resolution (every 5 cm).
PAR values are high, and the bet to use numerous LED at lower power that they can is winning.
At Full power :
- 20 cm under the fixture – We measure above 1000 PAR values on 30 x 20 cm area.
- 20 cm under the fixture – We measure >500 PAR values on almost 60 x 40 cm, and even 50 cm wide area closest to the fixture.
- 20 cm under the fixture – PAR stays above 100 on the whole area except from approximatively 10×5 cm in the corners
- 40 cm under the fixture – PAR is above 400 on 40 x40 cm.
- 40 cm under the fixture – PAR is above 150 on almost on the whole surface
- 60 cm under the fixture – PAR is above 100 on the whole area and above 200 on almost 60×60 cm
With the spectrum we find interesting on mixed-reef tank :
- 20 cm under the fixture – PAR stays above 1000 under the fixture
- 20 cm under the fixture – It also stays above 300 on almost 50 x 50 cm
- 40 cm under the fixture – >200 values are measured on almost 50 x 50 cm
- 60 cm under the fixture – PAR stays above 100 on almost the whole area except from corners.
Heatsink
The heatsink is a vital component in the design of light fixtures. LEDs generate heat as a byproduct of their electrical properties, and it is essential for this heat to be dissipated into the surrounding air to ensure the longevity of the LEDs.
Here are thermal pictures taken on the Maxspect Ethereal Infinite. They have been taken after 10 hours running at full power in a 20°C room.
We notice some local hot points above 80°C but mean temperatures are not alarming. According to PAR measurements, except for really big tanks, no one will use it at 100 %. So we can assume that heat sink is effective on this fixture.
More technical details
Here are electrical values to go further.
The total power is 210,6 W for 215,8 really consumed. It results into a power factor of 0,97 (so an efficiency of 97%).
Syna-G Cloud App
The Maxspect Ethereal Infinite is easily programmable with Syna-G Cloud App. After downloading it, you have to create an account. For this, you only need to add a mail address and choose a password. You will receive a confirmation message on your mail address. Then you have to create a tank, and search nearby devices. If it is not found, you have to press during 5 seconds the two arrows buttons on the fixture. You have to connect it to your home wifi network to finish its connexion.
Now you land on the homepage of the tank where all connected Maxspect devices on it are shown.
When you click on the Ethereal Infinite, you land on the following screen where you can find :
- The Manual or Auto mode switch
- The fast ON/OFF switch
- The possibility to easily set it up by choosing a given Correlated Color Temperature (CCT)
- The menu to setup or switch off the ambiance light on the fixture.
- In manual mode, below you can find the 8 channels cursors. You also have the possibility to add a timer to this manual setting. After this time period, the auto mode programme will run back again.
- In Auto mode, you can find the 24h program. You can adjust it by clicking on each time point, add or delete them, simulate the whole program and send/save it to the fixture. You can add a cloud simulation effect.
- There is also an « Easy setting mode ». It allows to use pre-saved programs according to main corals types.
- Acclimatation mode is available to let your corals adapt to this new light. It reduces of a chosen percentage the whole power of your program on a given period.
A pleasant feature
As announced at its launch, the Maxspect Ethereal has a little feature that is practical in everyday reefkeeping experience. You can lift it up vertically on the mounting arm, and when you do so, it automatically switches off. For this, you only have one slider to activate on the app.
Récifal News feedback
We enjoy :
- The vast range of spectrum possibilities with high power output
- The easy setup and programming
- The included light shade
- The automatic switching off when you lift it vertically.
General information
PAR and spectrum measurements were conducted using a spectroradiometer with a range of 190 to 850 nm and a resolution of 0.5 nm. Heatsink measurements were taken with a FLIR thermal camera, and electrical features were evaluated using a power consumption socket.
By Axel, Marine Biology Master – Principles and Management of Marine Ecosystem Functioning – Lille University – Specialization in Photosynthesis, Light, and Phytoplankton.
