Montipora Lighting Question.

[Kinghugo5]

Hi All,

I swore I wasn’t going to get into SPS and just have some hardy LPS and softies to make the fish more at home but I love how Montipora looks. I have a 72 bowfront with the fluval marine and reef 3.0 (59w) currently. Is there anything I can add to have sufficient lighting for a Monti? I’ve read a review of this light that had a par reading in the 300’s in the first 3 inches. My rock may allow for this but I’m looking for some reasonable lighting additions that would benefit the tank without spending $800. I noticed this light only has cold white so maybe some warm white and blue but not sure what product may have that?

Thanks!

Nate

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Some monti do well in the 50-80 par range. Time will tell.

To save me some time , give this a read.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/h...tlight-qmaven-led-lights.537147/#post-5555571

If you can fit a second one of what you have and link them to the controller that would save a buck.

 

[Kinghugo5]

I could add another. It’s $200 but I suppose $400 total opposed to $800 is good? Also am I right when thinking if I add another 59 watt light then my total lighting would be 118 watts?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yup. Or look at the Chinese black boxes , Zet light etc. used.

But maximize waht you have , be patient and the deal will come.

 

[Kinghugo5]

Thank you!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Thank you!

You are welcome !

 

[jda]

2 bulb LET T5 retro kit might be good. You could keep it if you get other LEDs too. Maybe a Orphek Strip LED that could also be repurposed with larger panels?

Some montis do not need much light at all - most caps, most digis. Some of them will need as much as any acropora (some stelleta) and some need a lot of light to color up the way that people like them (forest fire digi). Any of them can take a massive amount of light and get brighter and grow faster, although this amount is not at all necessary.

 

[Kinghugo5]

2 bulb LET T5 retro kit might be good. You could keep it if you get other LEDs too. Maybe a Orphek Strip LED that could also be repurposed with larger panels?

Some montis do not need much light at all - most caps, most digis. Some of them will need as much as any acropora (some stelleta) and some need a lot of light to color up the way that people like them (forest fire digi). Any of them can take a massive amount of light and get brighter and grow faster, although this amount is not at all necessary.

If two of the 59 watts would suffice, I’m drawn to it because I can control them both on the app and really play with colors. I’ll look into some of the moderate light species and position it towards the top and see what happens.

Thank you!

 

[jda]

Test it before you buy another one. If it is in a OK range, then cool... but if it is at 20 PAR, then even a second one will not help much. Do you have access to any light meter? PAR meter would be best, but a LUX meter would be good.

Keep in mind that playing with the colors can really be bad for coral. It can be cool early on when you are figuring out what you like, but I would have it pretty well set before you get serious about coral.

 

[Kinghugo5]

I recently upped the purple and blue to 100%, cyan to 85% white to 70% and red to 25%. They all seem happy so I will leave it for now and try to do something similar with the new light - thanks for the tip!

I don’t think my LFS has par to rent. I’ve looked at the lux meter apps on my iPhone but not sure if they would be accurate?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I use this one for the tank.

https://www.amazon.com/Sunche-Profe...ocphy=9060289&hvtargid=pla-505585159192&psc=1

 

[Jacked Reefer]

Two ai prime HD’s. Controllable from phone. And will provide plenty of light for basic caps