LEDS growth shots

[Pappy]

So I often see these threads of whether leds can grow/color up corals (specifically sps) and find it frustrating and often comical. I understand that most people are still skeptics and/or have tried leds and not went with the right fixture/and/or didnt give it enough time. I was digging through old pics (because i always take pics when purchasing new corals) and cant believe the growth I've not even been able to see because I hyper focus on my tank daily! LOL I have a DIY Cree fixture over my 120 with 2:1 rb to cool white, 4 red, 4 green, and about 8 regular blue with meanwell drivers and a DIY controller simulating dusk/dawn. My lights are on full power for all of 15 minutes and the rest is ramping up and ramping down. LED gurus please forgive my lack of tech terminology as I didnt build it just bought it.

Parameters are generally:

amm 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 10 or less (was just red for a couple weeks around 60! yikes! **** happens but no ill effects)
ph 8.0-8.3
alk 9-10
ca 450-500
mg 1300-1400

Hope you guys/gals enjoy!

Lets start with montis (aka herpes and imo could be grown with a shop light lol)
9/2012

8/2013 couldnt get the whole piece in pic. have cut probably about 5 times totaling about 6" off of this in a year

chalices

vivid riddler
9/2012

10/2013

frag junky RX

9/2012

10/2013

 

[Pappy]

cornbred afterburner

1/2013

9/2013

cornbred beetlejuice

6/2013

9/2013

 

[Pappy]

sticks

blue tort

9/2012

10/2013

stag

9/2012

10/2013

bonsai
10/2012

 

[kacrocorals581]

Great chalice growth!

 

[Pappy]

7/2013

1/2013

9/2013

zoas
1/2013

5/2013

1/2013

 

[Pappy]

1/2013

5/2013

 

[duke4130]

That is what I am talking about....Awesome before and after pics!!!!!!!!!

 

[scubaman]

That is some amazing growth. Could you post some specifics?

Salt
Feeding schedule
Food types
Additives.
Water changes
Etc.

Your zoa growth is amazing

 

[FMF0331]

I too - running leds , seen amazing growth and color, wish i knew how to take pictures - so i can share

 

[427HISS]

Pappy- Great specimens, growth and photo's !

I'm an old reef keeper, but wanting to start up again and I know NOTHING,....about the newer LED lighting. I used the VHO's and halide for my tanks, so I'm used to a lot of watts,.. for simulating the sun. With your corals & lighting (as others) are we no longer needing the high watts of the VHO's & halides from 150w to 450w ? Meaning that the total light spectrum and low watts is now more important for all coral's health & growth ?

 

[Pappy]

Pappy- Great specimens, growth and photo's !

I'm an old reef keeper, but wanting to start up again and I know NOTHING,....about the newer LED lighting. I used the VHO's and halide for my tanks, so I'm used to a lot of watts,.. for simulating the sun. With your corals & lighting (as others) are we no longer needing the high watts of the VHO's & halides from 150w to 450w ? Meaning that the total light spectrum and low watts is now more important for all coral's health & growth ?

Thank you for the compliment! As far as the wattage per gallon rule it goes right out the window with leds! Thats the beauty of them less power, more efficiency, and deeper penetration into tank. As far as rule to follow with leds and tank size Ill leave that up to someone better qualified to answer watts per inch, etc...

 

[Pappy]

to answer request of specifics...

Reef crystals 10% weekly or 25% bi-weekly depending on work schedule and ambition
I run kalkwasser through stirrer via ato
dose 25-30ml of sodium bicarbonate and calcium chloride daily
run dr tims biopellets in cad lights reactor (just started after MACNA)
I feed the fish once a day...one day pellets, another nori, every third or so (again depending on ambition) I hit tank with cyclopeeze, fauna zoa rhic powder, mysis, and phyto.

I have always fed heavy but had a nitrate issue that I didnt realize til about month ago. So have cut back but havent seen anything slow down.

Also, just recently started adding fauna 1,2, and 3 to alk and ca dosing.

 

[adamross]

How much did that cornbred beetlejuice cost ?

 

[427HISS]

Thank you for the compliment! As far as the wattage per gallon rule it goes right out the window with leds! Thats the beauty of them less power, more efficiency, and deeper penetration into tank. As far as rule to follow with leds and tank size Ill leave that up to someone better qualified to answer watts per inch, etc...

You bet bud. I miss my 200 gal. and the 75 reef. I'm all old school, so really need to read more on the LED's. Learn me pal. lol.....

 

[DSP]

I think many people know full spectrum leds will grow coral because it's been provin many times,it's mainly the blue and white led fixtures that people question even though they have been provin somewhat to lol.great growth shots! Corals look great

 

[427HISS]

I don't know why people would question the sun providing white/red being for shallow water corals and blue for deeper corals ? Proof is from God and mother nature !

 

[Pappy]

How much did that cornbred beetlejuice cost ?

Honestly I can't remember. I usually get a "pappy" discount so I'm sure it wasn't near what he had it listed as!

 

[Pappy]

I think many people know full spectrum leds will grow coral because it's been provin many times,it's mainly the blue and white led fixtures that people question even though they have been provin somewhat to lol.great growth shots! Corals look great

Thx so much!

Loaded statement stirring the pot!!! Lolol

 

[DSP]

Haha!


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[RacinRevo0818]

Great looking corals.. Always nice when the coral in your tank looks 10x better then it did as a frag. Great Job