How do you balance your blue and white spectrums?

[WhiskeyCoffee]

For those of you who have their blue and white lights on different timers/channels, how do you balance them to get that perfect look? Currently on my Orbit Marine Pro I have my blue channel on 60% intensity and white on 40% intensity. I find that it gives my tank a more serene look and allows the corals to fluoresce nicely. I've experimented with different levels but find the corals near the top tend to get washed out quickly.

What about you guys?

 

[mcarroll]

I think "perfect" is very subjective for most people. Since "like the ocean" is never a consideration, I always suggest the obvious - tune it how you like.

Mercifully, corals aren't nearly as picky about their light as we are. A blue+white fixture that is "ON" for 4+ hours a day will make them happy.

 

[WhiskeyCoffee]

I think "perfect" is very subjective for most people. Since "like the ocean" is never a consideration, I always suggest the obvious - tune it how you like.

Mercifully, corals aren't nearly as picky about their light as we are. A blue+white fixture that is "ON" for 4+ hours a day will make them happy.

What settings do you have your lights on?

 

[mcarroll]

I have a Razor that has sunrise/sunset dimming, so it's on 12 hours a day with about 30 minutes of sunrise or sunset, shoulders at about 60-80% of peak and a short peak. I set my system to peak at about 50,000 lux.

(50,000 lux = 1000 PAR = 500 W/m2.....roughly speaking, half of direct sunlight)

Similar to this, but 12 hours:
http://www.mssolar.net/newnupdates/articles/60-youasked1213

I also have a DIY LED system that's blue+white (and much lower intensity, at 14,000 lux) and I have on according to "peak sun hours", so a shorter time. (I can't remember exactly what it's set for off-hand....eight hours I think....LOL.)

The idea of "1 peak sun hour":
http://www.mssolar.net/newnupdates/articles/60-youasked1213

Yes, both systems keep stony corals happy.