How's my G4 Pro & T5 Light Schedule?

[Johnson556]

This past weekend I changed my lights from six 80 Watt T5's with three Kessil A360's to three Radion XR30 G4 Pro's with four 80 Watt T5's to supplement. The layout from back to front is Blue+, Coral+, Radions, Actinic, Blue+. I started running the lights at 50% intensity and notice only a small increase (between 6-10%) in par compared to my prior set up. Well, came home to some LED burns yesterday on a few pieces so I've bumped them down to 40% intensity. I'll be adding my "final" acro's this weekend, once added I will increase intensity 2% a week until I'm at 60% intensity.

I've attached a spreadsheet of my schedule, it is based off of the AB+ settings. Par was tested at 50% intensity with an apogee my-200 so all values are 8% higher than labeled. I have yet to see it during the day so that may change, the T5's come on at 14:00 and shut off at 20:00.

Let me know what you think. The tank is only acro's and zoa's. All LPS will be traded in this weekend for more sticks.

Thanks

 

[P-Dub]

Looks good to me but meter readings at different points in the schedule would be beneficial. I'm not certain that you need to go much higher in intensity. If you do I would do it even slower and monitor your corals' response.

 

[ChrisRD]

I don't have much experience with LEDs (mostly used halides and fluorescents in past tanks) and all of the spectrum options of today...but it looks like you have good PAR. Looks like you're at full power for about 8 hours which should be more than enough. I've known some guys with great SPS tanks that have run all manner of lighting and schedules so I'm not sure there's any one right way to do it. Tanks looks really nice BTW!

 

[Johnson556]

I may do just 1% a week, but corals response will dictate how I go about things.

Par reading was of course done between 14:00-20:00 while the lights are at their highest intensity and T5's on.

 

[Johnson556]

I don't have much experience with LEDs (mostly used halides and fluorescents in past tanks) and all of the spectrum options of today...but it looks like you have good PAR. Looks like you're at full power for about 8 hours which should be more than enough. I've known some guys with great SPS tanks that have run all manner of lighting and schedules so I'm not sure there's any one right way to do it. Tanks looks really nice BTW!

Thank you! 2018 was tough, lost all my acros due to some pests and stupid mistakes but we're coming in hot for 2019. I've added 40 acro frags in the past month, 10 more to go (maybe 20) then we grow!

 

[ChrisRD]

It seems like parasites are more of an issue now than years ago with both corals and fish. I've seen more than a few people leave the hobby from coral or fish wipeouts. Personally I'm too dumb or stubborn (or both) and keep sticking around...LOL

Congrats for sticking with it. Best of luck with the reload...looks like you're off to a great start.

 

[Johnson556]

Yeah so I came home today to 6 of my “cheaper” acros sooooo burnt. Luckily the other 34 are fine.

Down to 30% intensity we go. It’s crazy how strong these are. Slow and steady, slow and steady

 

[dadnjesse]

I don't understand the chart how your blue, royal blue, and uv are at 100 yet running at 40%. I just switched from a Photon V2+ and you could only adjust the % of led's not % and intensity.

 

[Johnson556]

Column B, labeled “intensity” means power output. It is only runny at 40% intensity/power.

The colored charts are for coloration in which I can out X amount of color into each blend.

 

[jmichaelh7]

What percentage do you start radions at