Help with Par range, please.

[kpalas]

Hi all, need some help on what my PAR range should be on my cube tank. The tank is 24" by 20" by 20". It will be primarily a softie/LPS & Zoa tank, but at some point I will probably try my hand at a SPS or two. Got a PAR meter coming from BRS so Im looking for input on what my range should be. Thanks!

 

[mshonk]

Varying on what type of sps I would shoot for at least 300ish at the top of your rock. Which will likely bring you in at 100-150 on the bottom. I have my sps getting about 550-600 at top center and 300-350 on the bottom center. My elegance gets about 300. I used to have a finger leather that was getting about 300 as well. What I am getting at is to not be afraid of the high par rating but be aware that you will habe to acclimate into it with some corals.

 

[Zach W]

Just my 2 cents, when I got my tank I also thought I would only want softies and LPS. As times went on I got the itch for SPS and the light I had wasn't strong enough for high end SPS. If you think you will get into SPS, I would recommend making the initial investment in a light that can handle everything! I agree that at least 300 at the top of the rock, capability to get to ~400 at the top would be better.

 

[jda]

What kind of light? It matters? LED, for example will have all of it's PAR captured by the PAR meter whereas a T5 will have some under 400 and over 700, which is useful, that the PAR meter cannot capture. A MH will have even more.

...so 300 from a MH can work the same as 350 from a T5 and 400 from LED.

Most LPS and softies can thrive at 150-200 whereas some SPS need 350+.

 

[kpalas]

Just my 2 cents, when I got my tank I also thought I would only want softies and LPS. As times went on I got the itch for SPS and the light I had wasn't strong enough for high end SPS. If you think you will get into SPS, I would recommend making the initial investment in a light that can handle everything! I agree that at least 300 at the top of the rock, capability to get to ~400 at the top would be better.

I have a Kessil A360X over the tank so I think I have plenty of power.

 

[Wiskey]

I have kept my tank in all 3 configurations listed here. Right now I have SPS in the top half (mostly, a few acros are low) and softies/zoas along the bottom and most of my LPS are in partial shade, I'm using the 4 T5 configuration. Growth is great!
PAR-READINGSLEDT56T5 by Wiskey2727, on Flickr

Whiskey