Lighting intensity?

bif24701 · Apr 5, 2017

What do you think about my lighting levels? Is it too high?

180 gallons, 72x24x24"

2 each Kessil AP700s mounted ~7" from water. @ 50% peak

Pair 60" T5HO, ATI Blue Plus, mounted in front of tank about 7". On 10 hours.

This is my PMK, it's about 12-16" below the water line, toward the back. Centered under a Kessil.

Do you think that this is a good level?

Before I added the T5s a month ago my Kessil where at 80% and about the same PAR. My corals are well adjusted to this level of light. I figure this is about ideal for SPS. The Kessil put out a blanket of even PAR through the tank almost as well as the T5s. I get at least 200-250 PAR around the 1" sandbed.

NO3- 10ppm

PO4- 0.03-0.09

ALK-10

Cal-420

MAG- 1450

Salinity 35ppt

Very high flow

Bottom line is that I've seen tanks with 1/2 this PAR and look great. Am I pushing it too much? My corals seem to be happy, growing, very colorful, and great PE. Right now everything is set up for max growth as you can see. I've just been questioning things since I added the T5s and I just got the PMK this week.

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 5, 2017

I think you'll like this.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/h...d-i-dont-know-what-to-do.210035/#post-2401666

I have xenia palys and acros nearly out of the water, 9 in from Ai Sols at 70%. A friend has Acros mainly under 250w MH 9 in from the lamps. That's 100,000+ lux. Thats full sun PAR.

bif24701 · Apr 6, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
I think you'll like this.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/h...d-i-dont-know-what-to-do.210035/#post-2401666

I have xenia palys and acros nearly out of the water, 9 in from Ai Sols at 70%. A friend has Acros mainly under 250w MH 9 in from the lamps. That's 100,000+ lux. Thats full sun PAR.

So basically as long as my corals receive the appropriate nutrition and elements then lighting intensity shouldn't be a problem as long as they are acclimated well?

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 7, 2017

bif24701 said:
So basically as long as my corals receive the appropriate nutrition and elements then lighting intensity shouldn't be a problem as long as they are acclimated well?

I believe that is the case yes.

One anecdote. I left town for six weeks after upgrading my lighting to 4 t5's and an led strip. Approx par at the top of the tank, 900+. While I was gone, (the mrs was in charge) My talbot Damsel shredded my DSB constantly the entire time I was gone. My flow was excellent btw. The SPS had the largest explosion of growth I had ever had. 2 Green stylo colonies grew from small colonies to the point I had to sell one I was so large. The one acro in the tank went from a single stick to this in 30 days. It was 9 in from the lights. The Ponape was a small branch I stuck in a hole.

bif24701 · Apr 7, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
I believe that is the case yes.

One anecdote. I left town for six weeks after upgrading my lighting to 4 t5's and an led strip. Approx par at the top of the tank, 900+. While I was gone, (the mrs was in charge) My talbot Damsel shredded my DSB constantly the entire time I was gone. My flow was excellent btw. The SPS had the largest explosion of growth I had ever had. 2 Green stylo colonies grew from small colonies to the point I had to sell one I was so large. The one acro in the tank went from a single stick to this in 30 days. It was 9 in from the lights. The Ponape was a small branch I stuck in a hole.

I feel like I've got good flow, MP60 + Tunze 6105 = 60 X display turn over. Both run different alternating/varied programs up to 100% through out the photo period.

I've got a large sump and recently added a light to increase the micro flora and fauna that are transferred to the display as food. I've tried feeding a lot but it never seems to be enough food for the corals IMO. Removed filter socks and **** down skimmer for a few hours after feeding, it's a big skimmer.

My ALK, Cal, and Mag are always on point with constant Kalk being added all day.

One thing I've seen before (diff tank) is when I had added too much vinegar by mistake my corals seemed better than ever. I felt like this was due to a higher bacteria population and this more available food going around the system.

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 7, 2017

bif24701 said:
my corals seemed better than ever. I felt like this was due to a higher bacteria population and this more available food going around the system.

yep. they do like that..

bif24701 · Apr 7, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
yep. they do like that..

I would like to find a way to keep that going continuously.

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 7, 2017

bif24701 said:
I would like to find a way to keep that going continuously.

paulb is using nutritional yeast. Some mix kalk and vinegar into the ATO WITH the normal dosing sched. Or just add a small amount to you dosing sched. not enough to really drop nutrients though.

bif24701 · Apr 7, 2017

Yeast?

I add a little vinegar daily, just enough to keep my NO3 and PO4 stable. I've had to add potassium nitrate to bring up my NO3. I feed corals nightly and of course my fish several times a day.

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 7, 2017

bif24701 said:
Yeast?

I add a little vinegar daily, just enough to keep my NO3 and PO4 stable. I've had to add potassium nitrate to bring up my NO3. I feed corals nightly and of course my fish several times a day.

yup yeast. check out his thread.