Is this enough light?

[Dre619]

So recently cycled tank a few months ago. Now have a variety of softies and one lobo occupying my tank. I have 40g breeder running with a Fluval 3.0 marine light. My questions is, is this enough light? I am thinking of buying a second one to run along with it. Any ideas? Thought comments thanks!

 

[glb]

So recently cycled tank a few months ago. Now have a variety of softies and one lobo occupying my tank. I have 40g breeder running with a Fluval 3.0 marine light. My questions is, is this enough light? I am thinking of buying a second one to run along with it. Any ideas? Thought comments thanks!

Do you know the PAR levels in your tank? How are the corals doing? I have T-5’s for my 40g breeder and love them. I’m not familiar with the light you’re using.

 

[brmreefer]

Hey Dre619,

Here are the PAR readings off my main DT. I use the Fluval Marine 3.0 "only" as a supplemental light to my Orpheks. With that in mind here are some factors that I think should be taken into consideration with the PAR readings provided.

• Isolated reading from Orpheks (straight reading with ambient lighting off and Orpheks blocked)
• Around 3~4 inches from front glass, so the reflection adds some minor PAR
• 2 readings taken: 6 and 9 inches below surface
• Surface movement pretty glassy with mild flow
• Taken during peak light setting for this Fluval
• Light not going through glass top or mesh - straight into the water with no obstruction
• PAR meter = Apogee MQ-510

Results:

• 6 inches = ~75 PAR
• 9 inches = ~56 PAR

Hope that helps. I would recommend adding more light either by upgrading to another brand, but running a second may do it too. Lots of good lighting available in the market.

NOTE: My following pic will be showing my Fluval Marine 3.0 light settings for reference as needed:

 

[leriel99]

Hey Dre619,

Here are the PAR readings off my main DT. I use the Fluval Marine 3.0 "only" as a supplemental light to my Orpheks. With that in mind here are some factors that I think should be taken into consideration with the PAR readings provided.

• Isolated reading from Orpheks (straight reading with ambient lighting off and Orpheks blocked)
• Around 3~4 inches from front glass, so the reflection adds some minor PAR
• 2 readings taken: 6 and 9 inches below surface
• Surface movement pretty glassy with mild flow
• Taken during peak light setting for this Fluval
• Light not going through glass top or mesh - straight into the water with no obstruction
• PAR meter = Apogee MQ-510

Results:

• 6 inches = ~75 PAR
• 9 inches = ~56 PAR

Hope that helps. I would recommend adding more light either by upgrading to another brand, but running a second may do it too. Lots of good lighting available in the market.

NOTE: My following pic will be showing my Fluval Marine 3.0 light settings for reference as needed:

Why you run pink and white so low ?

 

[brmreefer]

Why you run pink and white so low ?

Aesthetics only

 

[ZoWhat]

Rent a PAR meter and compare your readings to what your corals need

 

[vetteguy53081]

What light are you using and at what settings ?

 

[Big Mistake]

I have a 10-gallon cube with two Fluval Marine Nanos. Perfect coverage. Not a shadow.

Also have a Seneye. So in theory I know PAR and PUR ... and they can definitely grow coralline algae top to bottom, left to right, up and down. Yet I am still suspicious of the Fluval lights.

My tank sat and did nothing much until I added Coralline Algae in a Bottle, Copepods and phytoplankton and started dosing Tropic Marin All-For-Reef. Some days I want to add a sand bottom.

Remember a single data point is surely a ...

-Big Mistake

 

[CanuckReefer]

So recently cycled tank a few months ago. Now have a variety of softies and one lobo occupying my tank. I have 40g breeder running with a Fluval 3.0 marine light. My questions is, is this enough light? I am thinking of buying a second one to run along with it. Any ideas? Thought comments thanks!

I run the same light on my tank mostly softies,but only as supplemental ( like @brmreefer ) for my two 4 ft T5's , give a bit of shimmer and the programmability for dusk and dawn settings.

 

[brmreefer]

I run the same light on my tank mostly softies,but only as supplemental ( like @brmreefer ) for my two 4 ft T5's , give a bit of shimmer and the programmability for dusk and dawn settings.

I would like to try t5s and/or MH for a future build myself. If only $ was not an issue.