Apogee MQ-210 = More Money;-)

[DeepBlueSeaV1]

Early Christmas present arrived... Apogee MQ-210.

New tank, 48", 120g. 200 days old, lightly stocked mixed.

Only 2 radion XR15 G4Pro - I've been running them at 70% brightness, resulting in 48% intensity. (To be honest, I have no idea what all that really means in the EcoSmartLive results. I guessed settings based on a number of youtube videos I've watched, but always knew a PAR meter was going to be needed to fully understand PAR in my system.

So far, have had good luck with my corals, only lost 2 small/cheap SPS frags and one LPS. Had decent growth of one SPS, placed directly under the radion lighting. LPS have been growing, have a hammer and a elegance in the sandbed, which have been thriving in my opinion. Orange plate corals on sandbed, center of tank, seems to be doing well. Hollywood Stunner trippled in size in just a few months time, about 2/3 of the way down on a rock shelf under XR15. Chalice corals down low, thriving. Duncan has easily quadrupled in number of heads.

Anyhow, now I see why my one SPS has turned from a beautiful bright pink to brown... Running maybe 180 8" below water surface, directly under XR15 G4 Pro.

Going to start playing with this PAR meter and getting a better idea of what my PAR readings are overall. Start increasing the radions over the next couple of months, but I can already see T5's in my future.

 

[rkpetersen]

PAR meters are fun and the results can be eye-opening, it just's unfortunate that they're pricey. Just yesterday I checked the PAR on a tank with 3 Radion XR15s, to which I recently added 4 T5HOs. I knew it was brighter than before of course but was happily surprised to see number over 600 at the top center just under the water, dropping down to 150 at the non-shadowed rear tank corners. Good information.

Good idea ramping up the XR15s. I keep all the blue, violet and ultraviolet channels at 100% midday.

And watch out for that stunner, it'll be trying to take over your tank in no time. You may or may not have noticed but it sends out very fine powerful sweepers at night.

 

[jda]

I would keep the Radions under 300 PAR to any coral. It you need more than this, then let the T5s handle the rest.

I love having a PAR meter. Not only is it helpful, you make friends when you loan it out and friends are good for when you go out of town or want to trade/buy the best frags.

 

[Pete1968]

Early Christmas present arrived... Apogee MQ-210.

New tank, 48", 120g. 200 days old, lightly stocked mixed.

Only 2 radion XR15 G4Pro - I've been running them at 70% brightness, resulting in 48% intensity. (To be honest, I have no idea what all that really means in the EcoSmartLive results. I guessed settings based on a number of youtube videos I've watched, but always knew a PAR meter was going to be needed to fully understand PAR in my system.

So far, have had good luck with my corals, only lost 2 small/cheap SPS frags and one LPS. Had decent growth of one SPS, placed directly under the radion lighting. LPS have been growing, have a hammer and a elegance in the sandbed, which have been thriving in my opinion. Orange plate corals on sandbed, center of tank, seems to be doing well. Hollywood Stunner trippled in size in just a few months time, about 2/3 of the way down on a rock shelf under XR15. Chalice corals down low, thriving. Duncan has easily quadrupled in number of heads.

Anyhow, now I see why my one SPS has turned from a beautiful bright pink to brown... Running maybe 180 8" below water surface, directly under XR15 G4 Pro.

Going to start playing with this PAR meter and getting a better idea of what my PAR readings are overall. Start increasing the radions over the next couple of months, but I can already see T5's in my future.

You need way more lights! I have a deep blue 80 pro frag tank i am running 4 xr15 pro gen 3, its a 48&24&16 my sps and lps are doing great, tank has been set up for over a year