If no one agrees on PAR levels...

[ThunderGoose]

I borrowed a PAR meter, measured various spots in my tank, and hit the Google to determine if I need to tweak my intensity. I also tried to search this forum.

BUT

It looks like there is little agreement on appropriate PAR levels. I'd love to see a chart with "low light is xxx-yyy PAR" or LPS like between qqq and rrr PAR.

I have an LPS/softies tank. The average values seem to be about 150 on the sand and somewhere between 100 and 400 on the top of my rockscape. Yeah, those numbers don't work together.

If there isn't an agreement on PAR levels why did I spend 3 hours on my weekend to pick up this PAR meter?

Please Help!

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

I discuss this broadly in this thread
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-much-flow-and-how-much-light.297801/

 

[ThunderGoose]

I discuss this broadly in this thread
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-much-flow-and-how-much-light.297801/

Thanks!

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

Your welcome. Its not a chart but a general guide.
It all depends on the supplier where you buy corals from as well.
There are few vendors that actually keep their sps under leds with PAR levels at 250-300.
I would inquire from seller about PAR before purchase and try to acclimate/place accordingly.
This is a very broad discussion with many variables. There is no 1 size fit all unfortunately.

 

[cracker]

Well said Thunder Goose ! A straight forward answer, I find does not exist !

 

[bubbaque]

I discuss this broadly in this thread
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-much-flow-and-how-much-light.297801/

The recommended par in that guide is way to high. For sps I try to stay between 250 - 400.

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

The recommended par in that guide is way to high. For sps I try to stay between 250 - 400.

It was high. Changed. Thank you

 

[jda]

One of the issues is that it totally depends on the light source. Some acropora can thrive (look and grow the best) with 500-750+ PAR from a Metal Halide, 1000+ from the sun, but get burnt under 400 PAR from a LED. Those same acropora can also do just fine with 350 PAR and while maybe not at 100% of color and growth, 90% makes most people quite happy.

Another issue is that some PAR meters need correction factors applied and this gets lost when posting online. ...so it is like comparing Granny Smith to a Fuji... but apples, but not even close to the same.