Lighting question

RenzO · Nov 9, 2014

Hi all,
Would just like to get some opinions on the light.
It is left over from my freshwater tank. Has 8 bulbs. 4 white, 4 blue and a moonlight strip.
Fairly new to the hobby.
I do have fish and corals in my 6ft tank atm. Mainly easy to care for.

Thanks

Reefing Madness · Nov 9, 2014

Nothing wrong with those lamps, I used to run them, they'll maintain soft corals easy enough. Replace every 6-9 months.

RenzO · Nov 9, 2014

Thank you

What type of light is it?
Is it good enough for LPS corals? As i have a few of them.

Reefing Madness · Nov 9, 2014

I would not use it for LPS, not strong enough, T5 HO would do ya for LPS.
Those are called Power Compact Lights.
Power Compact - Bulk Reef Supply
Aquarium Lighting Information Guide | Reef & Planted | PAR PUR

RenzO · Nov 10, 2014

Thanks mate

I do have toadstools, leathers,morphs, zoas, gonis, blasto
I have a torch and hammer which seem to be doing fine.
Also have a duncan which attempts to open then does not open. Lighting be why its not opening?

Reefing Madness · Nov 10, 2014

I don't think so, that lighting should be ok for a Duncan. How long have you had it?
Also, with torch and hammers, just keep an eye on the age of the lamps, the spectrum shifts pretty quick with those, keep a new one on hand and plug it in every few months to give you an idea how bad the others are getting.

RenzO · Nov 10, 2014

Bought the duncan back in july. Ive tried in many areas of the tank to see what suits it. High flow/light, low flow/light.
I know my dkh is down at the moment, i am buffering that up slowly.

Reefing Madness · Nov 10, 2014

Post up your water params, maybe its something there.

RenzO · Nov 11, 2014

Forgot to do params. Will post up later.
Also when you had these lights, how many hours did you leave them on for?

RenzO · Nov 12, 2014

Params ~
Ph 8.4
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 30ppm

Sg 1.021

Kh 5.6 - slowly raising this up, dosing each day.

I am due for a water change this weekend.

Reefing Madness · Nov 12, 2014

Your over due for a aater change. Somethings up, your showing ammonia, thats not a good thing.
Next you'll need to test for phosphates, as those being high will also tick off your coral.
30 on the trate scale, with corals, thsts the highest I'd let them go, around 20 would be better.
And last but not least, need to check your Mag.
You may want to bring your SG up to at least 1.024, yours is a bit to low.

RenzO · Nov 12, 2014

I was a bit surprised by the ammonia reading myself.
I know i have phospates. Just don't have a test for it atm.
In your opinion what is the Best way to get phosphate down?

EW_Fish · Nov 12, 2014

You can use GFO
BRS Bulk GFO Granular Ferric Oxide - Bulk Reef Supply
Running the GFO in a reactor is better then a media bag.

Reefing Madness · Nov 12, 2014

Fastest way I know is to use SeaKlear phosphate remover. You can take your phosphates down to 0 in a matter of days. I still use it on my tank. Gfo can be used after you've removed it all, it just exhausts to quickly in a tank with a bunch.

RenzO · Nov 14, 2014

Do you know where on R2R i could find randys recipe? Or just google it?
As i need to raise my alk.

Reefing Madness · Nov 14, 2014

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

RenzO · Nov 14, 2014

Thanks mate.
Will let you know how the water change goes.

RenzO · Nov 17, 2014

Did water change.

Sg 1.024
Ammonia 0ppm
Phosphate 0.25
Nitrates 30ppm
Ph 8.4
Nitrite 0ppm
Calcium 420ppm
Dkh 11

Rescaped tank too. So have duncan in a different spot, will see how it goes there.