30 Gallon IM Lagoon

25lagoon · Feb 3, 2020

Hi Everybody,

I’m new to the site and was hoping to get some feedback on a lighting question. I currently am running a 24 in 6 bulb dimmable ATI fixture over my 30 gallon Innovate Marine Lagoon tank. I am growing some softies, lps, and an anemone.

Does anyone have a similar tank setup? The light right now is set 10.5 inches above the tank, and during the day has a peak intensity of 100%. Is this too much light for the tank, or should I lower the light a couple inches?

I also have a radion xr15 that I could set up if anybody thinks that is a better choice. Does anyone have a schedule and intensity for this light fixture for a 30 gallon lagoon?

Ron Reefman · Feb 4, 2020

First, welcome to Reef@Reef!

Given the depth of your tank, Id say there is a small possibility that an 6 bulb t5 fixture might provide too high a PAR at 100% power. How long is the fixture at that power level? How long have you had the fixture over this tank? Any issues with the more sensitive corals?

25lagoon · Feb 4, 2020

Thanks Ron for the reply!

I have had the light set up on the tank at 85% for the past 2 months, and everybody seemed to be okay. My duncan corals never opened up fully and my brain coral seemed to not appreciate all the light. I just recently shifted the lights to peak at 100% for 5 hours, and my anemone actually started to move from where it was situated.
All my zoas never had any issues and my montipora is doing okay.

Ron Reefman · Feb 5, 2020

I suspect you are probably just fine.

Are you familiar with the 'Canary in a Coalmine' expression?

Consider an inexpensive frag of a plating sps and setting it at the highest point in the tank. If the light is too intense, that should be the first coral to show signs of distress.

25lagoon · Feb 6, 2020

I am familiar with that expression haha. I have an orange monti that is growing just fine at the top of the tank.

My white bulb schedule is as follows with the blues starting a half hour before mimicking the white bulbs and ending a half hour after the whites are off.

7:14am on
8:20am 10%
9:00am 60%
12:00pm 100%
7:00pm 100%
9:00pm 25%
9:30pm 1%
11:00pm off

Any suggestions on ramp periods would be appreciative

Ron Reefman · Feb 7, 2020

Noon to 7pm is a good length for 100%.

Sunrise and sunset (ramping) is totally whatever you want to look at. It has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with how anybody in the tank feels and has no affect on growth or health.