help understand PAR

[Oscar47f]

You would run the lights at peak if you’re trying to measure the maximum par you can get... if you’re trying to figure out where to put your corals run the lights and pumps like you would normally and if you need more par ramp the light up until you reach the desired numbers, good luck!

 

[Nano sapiens]

Thanks all,

Can I just double check some things before I start please,
Leave wave pumps running while testing PAR.
Have the lights set at the maximum peak, should I be looking at the ram up/down levels

1. Leaving the pumps running is fine. You'll likely see the PAR number fluctuate a little because of light diffraction from the ripples at the surface (just take the average between high and low numbers).

2. In relation to 'maximum peak' and 'ramping', the long version of how light specifically behaves during a typical tropical day is rather involved. The short version is light intensity ramps up as the sun rises in the sky, the spectrum shifts from 'blue' to more 'white' towards mid day...and then the reverse happens as the sun starts it's decent. Ramping, when applied correctly, can do a fairly decent job of mimicking nature.

 

[Aaronreef]

Thanks for all the information, greatly appreciated.
Spent some time today taking readings. mostly in the range I'm after, some shaded areas for the LPS and plenty of higher readings for SPS.
Have one area that at about 450-500 but is only a small area.

I also put the lights back to how I had them originally before I really had any idea what I was doing (not that I know what I'm doing now) and had readings in the 800+ range would that be the reason I've been struggling with my LPS dieing I wonder

 

[Oscar47f]

Yeah especially if you put them in 700 par right off the bat...

 

[Aaronreef]

Unfortunately I've lost a fair few, but I'm hoping now I have a better understanding of it and ball park figures I'll be able to do a better job of keeping things in good health

 

[Oscar47f]

Thanks for all the information, greatly appreciated.
Spent some time today taking readings. mostly in the range I'm after, some shaded areas for the LPS and plenty of higher readings for SPS.
Have one area that at about 450-500 but is only a small area.

I also put the lights back to how I had them originally before I really had any idea what I was doing (not that I know what I'm doing now) and had readings in the 800+ range would that be the reason I've been struggling with my LPS dieing I wonder

Unfortunately I've lost a fair few, but I'm hoping now I have a better understanding of it and ball park figures I'll be able to do a better job of keeping things in good health

You’ll do great ! Remember to do your best to acclimate to the light and you should be ok!

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Acclimation is key for all livestock we add to our reefs. Fish, Coral, inverts, they each have their own cliches.

 

[Aaronreef]

I normally put them at the bottom on the sand for a couple of weeks.

I've put a magnetic frag rack in that's got readings of 150-200