Looking for guidance...

[jgvergo]

Short story: I don't have a PAR meter and I'd really appreciate guidance on how to set up my lights.

Long story:
Lights:

1 EcoTech Radion XR30w G3 Pro LED
1 Galaxyhydro Led 55x3w Dimmable 165w Full Spectrum LED
4 ATI T5s:

2 54W 48” T5 True Actinic
2 54W 48” T5 Coral Plus​

The Radion is controlled by my Apex controller. The 4 T5s and the Galaxyhydro LED are on a timer. The timer is set to go on at 3PM and off at 11PM. My Apex program for the Radion looks like this:

All lights are about 10 inches above the water level.

My system is a mixed reef (Zoas, LPS, SPS, Softies). The tank is 85 gallons (48" width x 24" length x 17" tall). What do you suggest for photoperiod and spectrum? Note that the black box LED has two knobs, one to control blues and one to control the other lights.


​

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-lux-meter-how-do-i-use.368945/#post-4549549

Set the peak par based on livestock needs (noted in thread)
With t5 added lux conversion is around 55 not 60. I’d do the math at 50 55 and 60 . You’ll see a short range of the estimate.

Turn the lights on , make the color of the tank super pretty tonyour eye.

Walk away (reset eyeball) make adjustments. Later color adjustments should be minor.

Choose the pretties Light to come on first. THen add to build intensity twards the peak. I’d suggest a six hour peak. Then if there are problems or weird , shorten the peatk time OR lower intensity.

Most will reccomend 100 par average on the sand in general for a mixed reef At the peak. A bit less the longer you want to run the lights.

 

[jgvergo]

Do you have any experience with using a LUX meter on an Android phone? Are they accurate enough for this purpose?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Do you have any experience with using a LUX meter on an Android phone? Are they accurate enough for this purpose?

I do. 16apps , ihone , Android phone and Android pad. Honesty not worth it for the $12-20 shipped for a lux meter.

On phones , they all work differently.

Here’s one I have , there is another red one on eBay , same thing but with a separate sensor.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LSFR0F...t=&hvlocphy=9061183&hvtargid=pla-505585159192

 

[jgvergo]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-lux-meter-how-do-i-use.368945/#post-4549549
Most will reccomend 100 par average on the sand in general for a mixed reef At the peak. A bit less the longer you want to run the lights.

Since I'm going to use a Lux meter on my phone, I won't be able to measure at the sand bed. I can hold the phone just above the water's surface and measure it there. Given my tank is 17 inches tall, do you have an estimate on what intensity I should be looking for at the surface in order to have a PAR of 100 at the sand bed?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Since I'm going to use a Lux meter on my phone, I won't be able to measure at the sand bed. I can hold the phone just above the water's surface and measure it there. Given my tank is 17 inches tall, do you have an estimate on what intensity I should be looking for at the surface in order to have a PAR of 100 at the sand bed?

200- 300 par I suppose for Lower middle mixed reef Probaly

 

[jgvergo]

OK, so just to double check that I understand correctly...

Since I have T5s and LEDs, the way to calculate PAR is to take my LUX reading and divide by 55. If I'm looking for a PAR value of 300 on the surface, that means my LUX should be 300x55 = 16,500, correct?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yes. Exactly.
Keep in mind, it’s an estimate.
And lux meter with a ball will likely give you different results. They are not the same type of meter, even though they both say lux.

 

[jgvergo]

Yes. Exactly.
Keep in mind, it’s an estimate.
And lux meter with a ball will likely give you different results. They are not the same type of meter, even though they both say lux.

I really appreciate the help Salty!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I really appreciate the help Salty!

Your welcome !
Happy Reefing!

 

[jgvergo]

@saltyfilmfolks , I picked up a Sunche Lux meter and I'm stunned with the results!!!

I decided I want my tank looks best under blue lights. I get these readings when the blues are at 100%:
Galaxyhydro: Lux = 111,400
Radion: Lux = 83,500

In order to get the target Lux of 16,500, I had to set my Galaxyhydro at ~30% and my Radion at 10%!!!

I was cooking my corals before getting the Lux meter

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

@saltyfilmfolks , I picked up a Sunche Lux meter and I'm stunned with the results!!!

I decided I want my tank looks best under blue lights. I get these readings when the blues are at 100%:
Galaxyhydro: Lux = 111,400
Radion: Lux = 83,500

In order to get the target Lux of 16,500, I had to set my Galaxyhydro at ~30% and my Radion at 10%!!!

I was cooking my corals before getting the Lux meter

Lol.

Fun stuff right ?