Depressing par measurements

[doubleshot00]

Just got a par meter from a fellow reefer and the par readings are WAY under what I thought. Im running 2x AI 32 and was running a modified AB+ spectrum and the par readings at the top of the tank 1” under the water was only 200.

Then i cranked everything up and only get these readings. The light settings that i just switched to are below but i was running for the last 6 months the blues at 76% and the uv at 66%. Whites stayed the same. The par readings are from the new schedule.

To get 200 par at the top of the rocks I would have to crank the whites up to 50-70% which looks like crap. Are these light just not very good? Im literally mind blown how this industry has such expensive lights but cant put out what a cheap Nicrew in Amazon can (my fluval with a 30w nicrew is getting 200par in the center).

Any help would be appreciated or am i sweating it to much?

 

[OldRed1]

How many inches above your tank are the lights?

 

[TokenReefer]

You are running the lights at approx 48% thier capability. Slide two fingers up on that screen in the app and you can go all the way to the top for full power

 

[doubleshot00]

How many inches above your tank are the lights?

13” above the water.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

13” above the water.

That's probably why your par is crummy. Better coverage due to height = lower par. Lower the lights or as said above bump up the lighting settings. Or some T5's can help.

 

[OldRed1]

That's probably why your par is crummy. Better coverage due to height = lower par. Lower the lights or as said above bump up the lighting settings. Or some T5's can help.

Agree 1000%!

 

[doubleshot00]

That's probably why your par is crummy. Better coverage due to height = lower par. Lower the lights or as said above bump up the lighting settings. Or some T5's can help.

Agree 1000%!

Ok ill lower them tomorrow and see what i get.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

To me, those are pretty accurate PAR numbers. I just measured mine last week because I'm looking at a different light over my new tank and wanted to get an idea of what my coral is currently growing under. I got 200 at the surface and 80-100 at the sandbed on a 24" tall tank, lights about 12" over the water

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

To me, those are pretty accurate PAR numbers. I just measured mine last week because I'm looking at a different light over my new tank and wanted to get an idea of what my coral is currently growing under. I got 200 at the surface and 80-100 at the sandbed on a 24" tall tank, lights about 12" over the water

Agreed, after buying a par meter, I learned the hard way, par is usually lower than you think!

 

[TokenReefer]

You're leaving all this "par" on the table...

 

[spsick]

To me those numbers look fine for the corals you have. LPS, Zoas, softies, and sps like pocci, stylo, and even some acros will be very happy in this range. If you’re concerned increase intensity or extend the photoperiod a ways. You paid for 100% intensity on all channels, use more of it.

Are we looking at 2x Hydra 32 on a standard 4x2x2 120g? I would not expect 300+ PAR in a big tank as these are better suited for smaller tanks.

 

[xCry0x]

Get an aquatic life t5 hybrid and throw those AIs in and you will be blasting plenty of par.

That said, 13" off water is high up.

 

[doubleshot00]

You're leaving all this "par" on the table...

I guess i hear every one say don’t run them super high or you burn them out.

 

[doubleshot00]

To me those numbers look fine for the corals you have. LPS, Zoas, softies, and sps like pocci, stylo, and even some acros will be very happy in this range. If you’re concerned increase intensity or extend the photoperiod a ways. You paid for 100% intensity on all channels, use more of it.

Are we looking at 2x Hydra 32 on a standard 4x2x2 120g? I would not expect 300+ PAR in a big tank as these are better suited for smaller tanks.

Its a 90gal. 2x Hydra 32s. Im gonna play with it some more tomorrow.

 

[MaxTremors]

I guess i hear every one say don’t run them super high or you burn them out.

I wouldn’t overdrive the UV and Violet channels, they will burn the lens and potentially burn out the diode. I think lowering them to 8-9” off the surface will improve the PAR quite a bit.

 

[TokenReefer]

I guess i hear every one say don’t run them super high or you burn them out.

oh..lol. Whoops. Guess I'll have to see how it plays out then. Still under warranty anyway so... I'd be disappointed if that was the norm however. Cost of extra lighting....dice roll if burnout will happen....you can do your own maths there

 

[spsick]

Its a 90gal. 2x Hydra 32s. Im gonna play with it some more tomorrow.

Oh yeah that’s pretty deep still then. Honestly your PAR distribution looks really good with around 150 everywhere except in the middle under the brace. If you’re able to squeeze a little more out you’d be in pretty good shape. Moving them down will decrease par in the middle and increase the hotspots.

 

[djf91]

You could definitely find that par you want with 2x250 watt metal halides. Would be a great option in my opinion.

 

[Crustaceon]

I always hate how manufacturers advertise par levels @ 100% output when most of us will never use that level of power because we know it'll reduce the lifespan of the diodes. They should provide par readings @ 75% power.

 

[Tcook]

After you figure out what the lights can do with adjustments make sure you go back to your current baseline and ramp slowly. Especially for the LPS.