Hey all!
Figured it was worth posting an update here. Now that the 25g Lagoon has been fully converted to a frag tank I've been seeing some good growth and coloration in the coral.
One of the things I want to point out is: I've been learning a lot about light. Prior to now what I had done is randomly picked an AI Preset from the Facebook group that I thought sounded good, and let her ride. To my credit, I did borrow a Par Meter from a local group and at least checked that I was in the ballpark.
Here's what I was using:
Now, if you've looked into what you need to make the spectrum of an AI Prime 16 close to the AB+ Target, you'll realize how far off I was. I started watching the BRSTV videos on mastering your light, and really paid attention to their spectrum suggestions for the light. Here's where I landed:
You'll see some differences. Now, this was giving me roughly 60-100 par in the sand, depending on where I measured under the fixture, but more importantly, I was seeing vastly improved colors out of my corals. This hammer coral I picked up from WWC a couple of months ago. It was sold to me as a gold/yellow hammer and when it arrived it looked great but after a couple of weeks, it had settled into being a peachy/flesh tone euphylia that really wasn't what I wanted. I chalked this up to "morphing" and just thought it was par for the course. BUT once I adjusted my spectrum I started to see the yellow/gold colors coming back out this was a couple days ago:
I also think it's dividing into two heads, thus the pinching in the middle.
SO! All that to say I started rethinking my lighting on this tank. The Prime 16HD really wasn't delivering what I wanted, and the disco-ballishness was driving me bonkers. I've decided to upgrade. And I REALLY geeked out on the spectrum tests from BRS and have gone over the deep end making this decision. Follow along:
The following are the three spectrums of light that corals use to make energy:
To take advantage of the photosynthetic properties of the zooxanthellae in the corals, you want to cover as much of these spectrums as possible. Most high-end LED fixtures focus on the blues, right? So what fixtures should I consider?
Well Radions are super in vogue right now, here's the spectrum BRS could pull out of the XR15 G5 Pro compared against the standard of the ATI Blue Plus T5 Bulb:
Not bad right? Well, that's what I thought till I looked that the new Kessil A360X's spectrum here:
Look at that! PLUS Kessil is one of the few brands out there that encompass the 380nm near UV range - this will likely add a lot to the coloration of corals.
So Aaron, which did you choose? Well.......both, I have both coming right now. My plan is to continue my research and make the decision once I have both in hand (I obviously can't open or install either till I make that decision since I need to return the one I don't want.)
Currently, I am leaning towards the Kessil for several reasons. One, Kessil Logic, the ABILITY to adjust each channel doesn't mean you should. Choosing someone else's template was harming (or at least inhibiting) my coral's growth due to my inexperience. Kessil takes the risk away from me.
Two, mounting height. I can mount the Kessil lower and get the coverage I need. For a 25g Lagoon, this is ideal, especially since this light is in my office that I am currently working from home in.
Does that mean the Radion is OUT?! -sigh- No... I'm still torn, Radions are new and sexy... and admittedly I am a MASSIVE gear nerd so the lizard brain part of me still wants the new-new.
The good thing here is: Either are proven to grow coral well, so we'll see where I end up. I still think spectrum-wise the A360X is the best in the 90W range, the wi fi dongle is wonky, and it's a bummer that functionality isn't included but... I digress.
If you all made it all the way through this nerdfest, good on ya. You may call me crazy, but from my perspective, this
IS the stuff that matters. I'll keep ya posted as I make a decision.
And my fungia plate... Love this thing, it's a bit angry in this picture, but this has to be 3"+ across when open and fluffy.
