Do I need more light/up my settings? Hydra 26

JonoB · Jun 10, 2019

I have had one of those weekends where I question everything involving my reef (I guess I didn't have enough to do this weekend) , but I've stopped myself from messing with much.

Lighting seems to be my biggest hangup right now as far as being confident in it. I've been testing constantly and my parameters have been stable for quite some time now.

I have a 60 gallon cube (24x24x24) with 1 Hydra 26. I have been running the BRS AB schedule. Some things look fine, some things don't. At the top of my rock I have a purple stylo, green birdnest, and starburst monti and they are all showing growth and great PE. I have an acro that is losing color and anemone that I've posted about in another thread that seems to need more light.

Settings I have now:
UV-119% Violet-116% Royal Blue-79% Blue-80% Green-4% Deep Red-4% Cool White-19%

I guess I struggle with how much I actually need vs what to set the levels at. I know I don't need to be changing settings all the time so I would like to just figure it out and be done. I was thinking about bumping the Royal Blue up to like 100 and same with the blue, and maybe bump the cool white up to 40?

Would that be enough to really change anything, or do you think I need another light?

I have a MH fixture (actually have 2) from my first tank that both use the phoenix 14k bulbs, maybe I could build a hood and use that alongside the LED?

Sorry if this seems like rambling. Talking it through with you guys seems to help me think through it all

DaneGer21 · Jun 10, 2019

I run the same schedule.

How high are your lights mounted?

Ever checked par?

How long have you ran that schedule?

Can you manually raise and lower your light?

Their settings have been tested, it all comes down to how high or low they are mounted. If you have the means, another fixture wouldn’t hurt, if anything it may help with any shadowing.

JonoB · Jun 10, 2019

The light is about 9 inches above the water line.

Never have checked par, I posted in my local reef clubs forum seeing if anyone had a par meter but never got a response.

It's been running for about 4 months on this tank, but ran the same schedule on my previous tank with most of the same corals. It is at its max for 8 hours, is that too much maybe?

I actually just got a new coral so I put it on acclimation mode and some things actually look better today. Is it possible I am giving TOO much light? This is where I get lost lol.

gfordQC · Jun 10, 2019

9" does seem a bit low for those settings, but the only way to fully know is to get a PAR meter. BRS rents them out for $40 w/ deposit for a 7 day rental. I'm in the same boat as you, but i have just switched to the BRS AB+ and am going through acclimation. I plan on renting the PAR meter next month to check my stuff and leave it be.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aquarium-lighting/par-meters-timers.html