Looking for input on my LED setup

Josh King · Jan 22, 2016

I have done quite a bit of research and still don't know if I have enough LED coverage and spectrum for sps in the top 1/3 of my tank. My 48"Aquaticlife edge is: (27) 6K White, (27) 9K White, (33) 10K White, (7) Blue, (14) Red, and (6) Blue Lunar .5 watt LEDs (57 watts total). The 2 A150 Deep Ocean Blue Kessils are 32 watts each (20,000K ?).
I know now that watts don't mean much for LEDs compared to other fixtures. I am looking for input on my coverage and available PUR. (I don't have a PAR meter or access to one). The sps I have in the top 1/3 of the tank seem to be doing ok. Does anyone have any advice or input? Is anyone using this combo? Much appreciated.

Eckolancer · Jan 22, 2016

Are you having issues with any corals? It looks like you have enough light on the tank. Maybe upgrade to a single fixture or 2-3 of the new kessil 350/360s

Josh King · Jan 22, 2016

Eckolancer said:
Are you having issues with any corals? It looks like you have enough light on the tank. Maybe upgrade to a single fixture or 2-3 of the new kessil 350/360s

I am not having any issues, I just think the growth is slow. However, I have nothing to compare it to other than looking at progressions of other tanks. The oldest frag has been in there since Oct 2015. About 1/4 - 1/2 inch of growth on that one and encrusted around the base. (It's the one on the top right):
I plan on upgrading at some point. For now, I could add some LED strip lighting if needed (or T2 bulb).

Eckolancer · Jan 22, 2016

I say let it be its working. One thing about growth is constant levels. Are you dosing cal alk mag? What is your phosphates, nitrates, ect...

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 22, 2016

Id say you need better spread (coverage) on the kessels. the marineland is not really going to do much over the kessels. (i love the ramp up on mine too.)
Move the strip back as far as you can. Bring the kessels up to get better coverage. T5 and MH use a similar approach, broad coverage, not just intensity and spectrum.
A lux meter ($15 amazon) will tell you intensity of the light (a calculation par uses) but not par and is a handy tool. (api vs hanna kinda)
you already have 2 of the best lights available. You would be surprised to know many thank run from 15,000 lux to 100,000 lux. it seems most sps are in the 25,000 lux to 80,ooo lux range at the top of the water.

Josh King · Jan 22, 2016

Eckolancer said:
I say let it be its working. One thing about growth is constant levels. Are you dosing cal alk mag? What is your phosphates, nitrates, ect...

That's what I was thinking, consistency. I am dosing 2LF Kalk on a peristaltic pump (Chinese) 99ml per hr. - About 7 tps per 5 gallons ro/di. Seems to be keeping levels up to 8 dkh and 460 Calc. I test weekly and should probably test more to see if they are swinging. Nitrate and Phosphate are near 0, I just bought new Salifert kits. I had been using API and those cards don't have a low enough range. I also have chaeto growing in the sump.
I plan on buying a new Ro/di. I have been using a cheap purewaterclub.com one for the past six months. I was thinking BRS 150 g/day?
Also, that green monti cap has had about 1/2 inch growth in two months; you can see where it dips down around the edge. Thanks for your input.

Eckolancer · Jan 22, 2016

If you have iPhone and I'm sure android has it as well you can try one of the apps that are free to give you an idea of what you have for lux or par.

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 22, 2016

I tested 12 total free apps. these were the best side by side to my $500 meter.
Galactica luxmeter for Iphone
LUX Light Meter by Chrunchy Bytebox for android.
All around best most accurate is still a hand held Lux meter.

Josh King · Jan 22, 2016

saltyfilmfolks said:
Id say you need better spread (coverage) on the kessels. the marineland is not really going to do much over the kessels. (i love the ramp up on mine too.)
Move the strip back as far as you can. Bring the kessels up to get better coverage. T5 and MH use a similar approach, broad coverage, not just intensity and spectrum.
A lux meter ($15 amazon) will tell you intensity of the light (a calculation par uses) but not par and is a handy tool. (api vs hanna kinda)
you already have 2 of the best lights available. You would be surprised to know many thank run from 15,000 lux to 100,000 lux. it seems most sps are in the 25,000 lux to 80,ooo lux range at the top of the water.

I do like the ramp up and down on the Aquaticlife, and is the main reason I don't want to get rid of it. It provides the white light and the Kessils provide the actinic. I don't know maybe my growth is alright and I'm just not patient enough. I will check out that Lux meter that $15 is doable. Thanks for your input.

Eckolancer · Jan 22, 2016

saltyfilmfolks said:
I tested 12 total free apps. these were the best side by side to my $500 meter.
Galactica luxmeter for Iphone
LUX Light Meter by Chrunchy Bytebox for android.
All around best most accurate is still a hand held Lux meter.

Good to know that galactica is the one I'm using and its pretty good for not owning a meter

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 22, 2016

Yea I love my current for the ramp and the blue is stunning at night and makes me smile in the morning.

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 22, 2016

Yea good spread is a simple way to improve par assuming you have the lumens (firepower) to get it.

Josh King · Jan 22, 2016

Eckolancer said:
If you have iPhone and I'm sure android has it as well you can try one of the apps that are free to give you an idea of what you have for lux or par.

saltyfilmfolks said:
I tested 12 total free apps. these were the best side by side to my $500 meter.
Galactica luxmeter for Iphone
LUX Light Meter by Chrunchy Bytebox for android.
All around best most accurate is still a hand held Lux meter.

Thank you. I had no idea they had an app for that! I'll check it out.

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 22, 2016

Eckolancer said:
Good to know that galactica is the one I'm using and its pretty good for not owning a meter

For less than a frag of xenia a hand held cant be beat.

Josh King · Jan 22, 2016

saltyfilmfolks said:
Id say you need better spread (coverage) on the kessels. the marineland is not really going to do much over the kessels. (i love the ramp up on mine too.)
Move the strip back as far as you can. Bring the kessels up to get better coverage. T5 and MH use a similar approach, broad coverage, not just intensity and spectrum.
A lux meter ($15 amazon) will tell you intensity of the light (a calculation par uses) but not par and is a handy tool. (api vs hanna kinda)
you already have 2 of the best lights available. You would be surprised to know many thank run from 15,000 lux to 100,000 lux. it seems most sps are in the 25,000 lux to 80,ooo lux range at the top of the water.

So I downloaded the galactica app and measured the best I could without dropping my iphone in the water lol. 200000 lux - 300000 lux directly under the kessil. 3000 directly below the Aquaticlife (and less depending where). 2700 lux at the sandbed below the kessils. What do you think?

Josh King · Jan 22, 2016

Josh King said:
That's what I was thinking, consistency. I am dosing 2LF Kalk on a peristaltic pump (Chinese) 99ml per hr. - About 7 tps per 5 gallons ro/di. Seems to be keeping levels up to 8 dkh and 460 Calc. I test weekly and should probably test more to see if they are swinging. Nitrate and Phosphate are near 0, I just bought new Salifert kits. I had been using API and those cards don't have a low enough range. I also have chaeto growing in the sump.
I plan on buying a new Ro/di. I have been using a cheap purewaterclub.com one for the past six months. I was thinking BRS 150 g/day?
Also, that green monti cap has had about 1/2 inch growth in two months; you can see where it dips down around the edge. Thanks for your input.

I also forgot to note that my Magnesium is supplied by reef crystals salt. I change 15 gallons every 2 weeks. If needed I have Seachem Reef Advantage Mag I can use to supplement.