Is this enough?

Corey Shelk · Sep 21, 2018

I got this coralife LED clip on light a little bit ago. I have a 20 gallon tank, 24"x12"x16", LxWxH. My corals are mushrooms, some palys, 2 zoas frags, and some green star polyps. I'm wondering if this is a strong enough light for frogspawn, hammer, or torch corals? They would be placed about 4-6" under the surface of the water.

jda · Sep 21, 2018

I say "probably," but not for sure without a PAR test. Euphyllia do not demand a lot of light.

Corey Shelk · Sep 21, 2018

How do I do a PAR test?

jda · Sep 21, 2018

You have to get a meter. You can use a cheap LUX meter... while these can get you in the ballpark, they are wrought with accuracy issues. If you live in an area with a local reef club, most have a rental program for the PAR meter. You might also get lucky and be able to Google Search for your light and PAR and see if anybody else has tested it. I would want to be around 80-120 PAR where you want to keep the LPS.

Corey Shelk · Sep 21, 2018

Ok thank you!

Corey Shelk · Sep 21, 2018

Marineandreef said the PAR was 47 at peak and 26 avg. That seems really low, should I invest in another light? I just got this one

Mattrg02 · Sep 21, 2018

Corey Shelk said:
Marineandreef said the PAR was 47 at peak and 26 avg. That seems really low, should I invest in another light? I just got this one

Yes. You need a better light.

dantimdad · Sep 21, 2018

I always try to help people avoid unnecessary things but, you will definitely need more light than that.

Look in the for sale section here.

jda · Sep 21, 2018

That is pretty low. I would look for more light too.

Corey Shelk · Sep 21, 2018

Crap, what if I used a combo of lights? I still have my light from my old planted tank. It's 20-30 watts I think

dantimdad · Sep 21, 2018

20 -30 watts of what? LED? What spectrum?

Wattage isn't really the factor honestly. You can have a lower PAR light and run a longer photo period. But, if the spectrum isn't good, nothing will grow or maybe even die.