Disappointed in NanoBox Duo Plus M Par Levels

Zach W · May 11, 2019

I just rented the Apogee MQ-510 from BRS to get a sense of the par values in my tank as I start to get more and more in SPS. None the less I can away quite disappointed. To get to the numbers shown in the photos I had to turn all of my blues to 100%, white/lime 35%, moonlight 85%. My light is currently ~5" off the water line and as central in the tank as I can get it with the gooseneck mount. Has anyone else had this experience?

My Tank is an IM 20

GoVols · May 11, 2019

Zach,
Sorry about those par #'s, but thanks for taking the time to share.

MSB123 · May 11, 2019

I had pretty bad par with mine a while ago. I ended up selling it.

Retro Reefer · May 11, 2019

Did you account for spectral errors from the LED’s? This will cause lower numbers, should have been conversion chart in users manual.

Zach W · May 11, 2019

BRS does not give the user manual angling with the unit, just a quick operation guide. The software and sensor claims to correct for LEDs automatically

Zach W · May 11, 2019

MSB123 said:
I had pretty bad par with mine a while ago. I ended up selling it.

Out of curiosity what did you upgrade to? I’m considering biting the bullet and getting a Radion xr30 g4 pro. I’m hoping to get a bigger tank soon and then would just add on.

Also, how did you go about light acclimation?

Zach W · May 11, 2019

GoVols said:
Zach,
Sorry about those par #'s, but thanks for taking the time to share.

I am really getting into higher end acropora and I don’t think my par values can get me to a successful spot. Thinking about upgrading to a Radion

MSB123 · May 11, 2019

Zach W said:
Out of curiosity what did you upgrade to? I’m considering biting the bullet and getting a Radion xr30 g4 pro. I’m hoping to get a bigger tank soon and then would just add on.

Also, how did you go about light acclimation?

I am using a T5 hybrid fixture. Reefbreeders Photon V2+
Here are readings at the sandbed, 24" under water, 32" under the light (Light is 8" off the water)
LED only:

With T5 I get ~400

GoVols · May 11, 2019

Zach W said:
Thinking about upgrading to a Radion

That would be a home run buy for acro's.

Zach W · May 11, 2019

GoVols said:
That would be a home run buy for acro's.

I will probably pick one up tomorrow. Any tips on light acclimation with a new light?

GoVols · May 11, 2019

Zach W said:
I will probably pick one up tomorrow. Any tips on light acclimation with a new light?

I've never pushed (ran) radion's, so it would be better for someone else to provide their incite.

I'd hate to fry your coral's and your need to keep a eye on your nutrients and organics when raising par.

Zach W · May 11, 2019

GoVols said:
I've never pushed (ran) radion's, so it would be better for someone else to provide their incite.

I'd hate to fry your coral's and your need to keep a eye on your nutrients and organics when raising par.

Can you expand on watching nutrients/organics when raising par? Do they get used up faster or just in general?

GoVols · May 11, 2019

@fabutahoun

Fadi,
When you come online:

Going by @Zach W post:

If he bought a radion, what settings would you start at?

And... would you run the diffuser?

Thanks,
Freddie

GoVols · May 11, 2019

Zach W said:
Can you expand on watching nutrients/organics when raising par? Do they get used up faster or just in general?

The me they are intertwined.

I seen a lot of reefer's go too quick with new high par lights but did not take that into account.

If you go slow, you be fine.

Fadi knows Radion's as much as anyone that I know.

Zach W · May 11, 2019

GoVols said:
The me they are intertwined.

I seen a lot of reefer's go too quick with new high par lights but did not take that into account.

If you go slow, you be fine.

Fadi knows Radion's as much as anyone that I know.

Awesome, thank you for the help and directing me in the right direction!!

fabutahoun · May 12, 2019

Hi , thanks for tagging me in.
Radion can be very powerful, I would start with AB+ program SPS at 60% and chick with par meter.
If you are considering the Radion I would Advice you to get a diffuser, the diffuser will give you much better color mixing. and you may need to increase intensity maybe around 70 %

Zach W · May 12, 2019

fabutahoun said:
Hi , thanks for tagging me in.
Radion can be very powerful, I would start with AB+ program SPS at 60% and chick with par meter.
If you are considering the Radion I would Advice you to get a diffuser, the diffuser will give you much better color mixing. and you may need to increase intensity maybe around 70 %

Fadi,
Thank you for the advice! I ordered the xr30 today with the diffuser and it should be in on Thursday!!! Should I target a par of ~400 for the highest part of the tank? I know don’t just to that right away but once I have slowly acclimated my corals to the new light.

Retro Reefer · May 12, 2019

@Zach W would you take a minute to share your Par number from your nanobox here.. thanks!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/r2r-par-database.538894/

fabutahoun · May 13, 2019

Zach W said:
Fadi,
Thank you for the advice! I ordered the xr30 today with the diffuser and it should be in on Thursday!!! Should I target a par of ~400 for the highest part of the tank? I know don’t just to that right away but once I have slowly acclimated my corals to the new light.

400 is fine for the highest part of the tank. just remember to go slowly , if you are noticing that the colors are starting to get light and turning white it means there is too much light.

this is the PAR readings for my tank, using a mix of G4 and G3 pros, dimensions 72" X 24" X 24"