Ok I have the pumps running, as I fort that was going to give the actual reading as my pumps are always running so the par received is going to be that number ?
The light is a reefbreeders photon (evergrow IT5012) it's 13 inches off the water ( maximum I can get out of the legs )
I'm trying to keep SPS mainly, I have had some issues with corals, my parameters are fine and stable so I was checking the light to see if that's the issue.
The PUR is 78%
I'm not an SPS expert and the amount of light that they need, but I know you want to be above 200 if not 250 PAR, some SPS like it up to 400. Your PUR at 78 is good, and measuring PAR while the system is running will give much better results.
Every light has different characteristics of spread, along with the tank, how much light gets reflected back, how much spills out of the tank, if the lights have diffusers, or LED lights have lenses to focus. From a lot of BulkReefSupply videos I have watched on lighting, you will find a variety of different light patterns. Some light issues are solved with raising light, other lowering, changing intensity. Then again you might have to move corals to suit their lighting needs, if the light itself is not movable.
Measure your tank with the light meter, at different location around the tank, and at different depths, and keep this as a record for future use, then find the needs of the SPS that you have, and figure out which variable can be changed to achieve your goal.
Sorry I do not have much else to offer, but I have found over the years that slowly changing things is the best way to proceed, which I mean weeks if not months, following a plan that has a destination to an end result.
By the way, there is a thread on here about a reefer wanting to quit after two years or little growth, but it seems that his light and maybe flow where causing some issues.
Research your SPS's you have and their light needs, measure the tank's PAR at different locations and depths, and place appropriately, might be a good start.
Best of luck.
