Kessil A160WE Photoperiod Suggestions

[brandon4432]

I have a mature nano setup with a conservative photoperiod. Currently, i have good growth and awesome polyp extension on all corals but I'm looking to ignite some heavy growth. I currently dose BRS Kalkwasser and AquaVitro Reef Fuel while doing 10% water changes every two weeks with Red Sea Coral Pro Salt. The system has been running with a Kessil A160WE and a spectral controller since December and I'm extremely happy with the lighting system and the system as a whole. The only aspect I think needs improvement at the moment is the lighting cycle. I'm looking to run a brighter/longer lighting schedule, hoping to aid in accelerated coral growth. I'm really asking for help and possible some examples of photoperiods you all use on your systems. Currently the tank has many zoanthids, palythoa's, Xenia, GSP, mushrooms, and Kenya tree corals.( you don't have to tell me that the coral species I have are invasive because I already am aware and content with that being the fact). Anyways any suggestions and help would be much appreciated! I'd love to see examples of other's spectral controllers photoperiod's and lighting setups. I'll post pics below! I'm looking for the lighting to start blue and transition into the "high noon" which is a lot more white and then slowly morph back into the relaxing blue light again.

(Currently running "quick set 2")

 

[mcarroll]

Well, I can tell you that a 12 hour photoperiod is natural - this is what you should be doing if you have a dimming set up.

As far as wanting more intensity and your expectations I am more on the fence about recommending it.

I'm guessing, but you probably don't know how much intensity you have right now. If that's the case, I would start by getting a lux meter for your smart phone ("Galactica Luxmeter" for IOS for example) and taking samples around your tamk's surface to see how things are presently.

Unless your light levels are very low - like less than 15,000 lux - there might not be much value to running your lights brighter.

And changing lighting levels of an established tank can definitely cause problems....so go slowly if you do it.

 

[Elementalj]

I agree about the intensity, and period. If that's a 5.5 I think you should go as slow as possible during acclimation. I'm not sure you could accelerate growth with a sudden shock of light. Also from what I've seen, zoas, and palythoa like any type of light as long as it's not too intense. I've recently taken to feeding them fauna marin with the D supplement, and have had a little extra growth.

I would try the feeding route first, and keep the kessil on the lower intensity and color settings for a bit because they can do fine with lower light for a while rather than taking the risk of sunburn. ;-)

 

[mcarroll]

How are your nutrient levels, BTW?

 

[brandon4432]

How are your nutrient levels, BTW?

All nutrients very low. I did have a small phosphate problem awhile back due to high TDS readings on RODI but other than that everything was in check. This is a very low nutrient system

 

[mcarroll]

Make it a NOT very low nutrient system and you might get that growth spurt you were looking for. Keep PO4 in line but not zero. Make sure NO3 stays non-zero as well. You could have to dose nitrate, or something like it. Seachem flourish or Spectracide stump remover, for example.

 

[brandon4432]

I have considered attempting to bring up levels in some sort of way. I'm a full time college engineering student so this tank is by my desk and in my bedroom aimed at being very quite and low maintenance. Would feeding corals and fish more often be just as effective as dosing something?

 

[brandon4432]

Make it a NOT very low nutrient system and you might get that growth spurt you were looking for. Keep PO4 in line but not zero. Make sure NO3 stays non-zero as well. You could have to dose nitrate, or something like it. Seachem flourish or Spectracide stump remover, for example.

 

[brandon4432]

Make it a NOT very low nutrient system and you might get that growth spurt you were looking for. Keep PO4 in line but not zero. Make sure NO3 stays non-zero as well. You could have to dose nitrate, or something like it. Seachem flourish or Spectracide stump remover, for example.

Or perhaps adding another "nano" fish?

 

[reeferfoxx]

Acropower is another easy source for nitrates without raising phosphates.

 

[Elementalj]

How are your nutrient levels, BTW?

Almost non existent. Weekly water changes work wonders in small systems.

 

[Elementalj]

I have considered attempting to bring up levels in some sort of way. I'm a full time college engineering student so this tank is by my desk and in my bedroom aimed at being very quite and low maintenance. Would feeding corals and fish more often be just as effective as dosing something?

Feeding brings nutrition in my opinion. Others may and will disagree and that's ok.

 

[brandon4432]

Almost non existent. Weekly water changes work wonders in small systems.

Very true! As long as the water source is good and you don't over feed small systems like this are very easy to keep in check.

 

[Elementalj]

The only things I've dosed on this small setup have been calcium and alkalinity. Only in small proportion and way less than the directions stated. I monitor pH with a small Hanna probe and make adjustments as needed. But with the extra water change and using a good reef salt has worked better than expected.

I use the gallon sizes of distilled water from the grocery, at .89 it's a bargain.

 

[Elementalj]

 

[Elementalj]

Who says dynamite can come in a small package?

 

[Elementalj]

 

[brandon4432]

Looks awesome!

 

[Elementalj]

Thank ya!!!

 

[reeferfoxx]

It looks like you have some algae growth. Maybe po4 isn't the issue. You might just need some no3. What is your alkalinity? Higher alkalinity can promote faster growth. but if you don't have enough nutrients in the water column, growth can be colorless and not what you would expect. Feeding more can also promote things like cyanobacteria. Feeding more and feeding correctly are two different things.