How to lower PAR

[teethdoctor23]

So I purchased a used Redsea max E170 with an AI hydra 26 light and it was already mounted 8” from the tank. I’ve found that the PAR is slightly higher than I’d like, and was wondering if there’s anything I can do to reduce it, such as changing the ratios of blue/white light, lighting schedule etc. Thank y’all in advance

 

[GobyGuy]

just turn the light down

im pretty sure blues are less intense so maybe a higher blue %, increasing mount distance

lighting schedule if you can access intensity, otherwise would just be same PAR for more or less time

 

[GarrettT]

Put a net over the tank for your fish. Contrary to the claims of 99% light penetration, I had a par reduction of 50. Clear vs black didn’t make much of a difference.

 

[KK's Reef]

There's aftermarket diffusers for the Hydra that should reduce PAR and hot spots.

 

[Jedi1199]

OK.. I am going to fight this.

Par is basically irrelevant. Are you trying to get light that is pleasing to your eye, or beneficial to the corals in the system? I promise those are 2 VERY different values.

What is your Spectrum?

Do you know? Do you have a way to tell? My guess is no and no. Most people have no idea what spectrum their lights emit.

You need lights that provide as much of the wavelength that the corals utilize for photosynthesis as possible. What we see is quite different.

 

[teethdoctor23]

OK.. I am going to fight this.

Par is basically irrelevant. Are you trying to get light that is pleasing to your eye, or beneficial to the corals in the system? I promise those are 2 VERY different values.

What is your Spectrum?

Do you know? Do you have a way to tell? My guess is no and no. Most people have no idea what spectrum their lights emit.

You need lights that provide as much of the wavelength that the corals utilize for photosynthesis as possible. What we see is quite different.

aesthetically pleasing isn’t what I’m going for, just trying to make all of my corals happy with my current aqua scape. There’s a BRS YouTube investigative episode where they use the AI Hydra 26 at different mounting heights and measure the PAR, so that is what I’ve been going off of being that multiple people have verified their results.

I have a very LPS heavy tank and I’m just trying to reduce my average PAR to around the 200 range. That being said, I do have a screen top for the tank and I’m running white light at less than 10% with blues in the 60-70% range. I’m still finding that most LPS cannot handle being directly on the middle section of the tank under the center of the light. Just looking for some advice as there is more info about raising PAR than lowering it out there.

 

[teethdoctor23]

OK.. I am going to fight this.

Par is basically irrelevant. Are you trying to get light that is pleasing to your eye, or beneficial to the corals in the system? I promise those are 2 VERY different values.

What is your Spectrum?

Do you know? Do you have a way to tell? My guess is no and no. Most people have no idea what spectrum their lights emit.

You need lights that provide as much of the wavelength that the corals utilize for photosynthesis as possible. What we see is quite different.

Attached a picture for reference. I’ve been thinking of having the peak intensity only last for 2-3 hours and having the ramp up time increased

 

[christwendt]

Raise the light more for better spread is one option. Or just lower the intensity. Many lps are fine in 100-125 par. If your rock work is too high just put some easy sps up there. Or save the 200 spots for hammers/ torches.