New To Reefing

[Emarley]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Deep dive coral]

@ClearLife post some measurements from where the light sits to the bottom of the tank and the top of the current rock work. Also if you can post some photos of the coral you would want to keep and we can start there.

 

[ClearLife]

@ClearLife post some measurements from where the light sits to the bottom of the tank and the top of the current rock work. Also if you can post some photos of the coral you would want to keep and we can start there.

The tank is 24 inches tall. 24" long by 21"wide. Tallest rock is 9" from the bottom. Shortest rock is 6" from the bottom. Lights mount flush with the top lid . After your previous post, I added my old light fixture to the new one I just bought. I have no idea what coral I want. I need to look into that.

 

[Deep dive coral]

The tank is 24 inches tall. 24" long by 21"wide. Tallest rock is 9" from the bottom. Shortest rock is 6" from the bottom. Lights mount flush with the top lid . After your previous post, I added my old light fixture to the new one I just bought. I have no idea what coral I want. I need to look into that.

Ok the reason i ask what the measurements are is for PAR ratings. There really is no exact science to say what coral requires what exact PAR level.

Let me back up a little bit because im sure your scratching your head saying what is PAR?

PAR is the measurement of light intensity not color.

Im going to dig through some of my old saved links that i reference when i chose corals for people as a guide to what different coral species prefer.

Can you provide some specs on that light please.

Now back to my original thought. Lets say, since your Live Rock is approximately 15 inches from your light. And you say I want an acropora in that area as my center show piece. But most acropora require a PAR range of 425 or better for optimal growth. But the PAR rating is only 280, this is an obvious estimate and hypothetical number, your acropora is not doing so great.

Now. Lets use the same example and say you decide you want to place a nice green tip frog spawn in the center as your centerpiece. PAR range is about 275-300. That coral will thrive in that area.

Following so far?

There are 3 things that you need for a successful reef. Lighting, to match your environment, flow, again to match your environment and we havent started on that just yet, and water stability.

You mentioned in your first post what you are testing for etc. Potassium, in my opinion, isnt really something you need to test for. The main testing should be, calcium, magnesium, and Alkalinity. Along with nitrates and phosphates. No need to test for amonia or nitrites really after the tank is established.

My next post will be some links i have saved.

The balance of alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium.

Light intensities for different corals.

Sorry for the over load of info and rambling.

 

[Deep dive coral]

I downloaded this chart about 2 years ago. Credit goes to @dbl

Good explination of water chemestry.
https://reefnation.com/ionic-balance-of-ca-mg-kh-in-your-tank-is-crucial/

 

[ClearLife]

Typical PAR Ratings
Orbit Marine PRO
0-1" 1000+
1-6" 100-400
6-12" 60-300
12-18" 65-120
18-24" 50-105
24-30" 40-65

 

[Deep dive coral]

Typical PAR Ratings
Orbit Marine PRO
0-1" 1000+
1-6" 100-400
6-12" 60-300
12-18" 65-120
18-24" 50-105
24-30" 40-65

Ok so as you can see there is a big difference in PAR betwee 6 to 12 and 12 to 18. If you wanted to keep higher PAR corals you will need to add to your rock work and reduce the space.

 

[Mjrenz]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[ClearLife]

Ok so as you can see there is a big difference in PAR betwee 6 to 12 and 12 to 18. If you wanted to keep higher PAR corals you will need to add to your rock work and reduce the space.

Yes, I see what your saying. More/higher rock or better light depending on the PAR needs of the coral in the tank. I need to choose the coral I want. Thank you and a special thanks for the chart.

 

[Deep dive coral]

Yes, I see what your saying. More/higher rock or better light depending on the PAR needs of the coral in the tank. I need to choose the coral I want. Thank you.

No problem. Use that pdf i attached for a guide. I will try to find some more info for you as well.

 

[BeejReef]

Cool tank! Welcome to the reef

 

[Ruben's Reef]

!!! Welcome to R2R !!!

 

[ClearLife]

Cool tank! Welcome to the reef

I have a spare if your interested.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Welcome aboard!

 

[Deep dive coral]

That would be an awesome sea horse tank. How much are you looking for it?

 

[ClearLife]

That would be an awesome sea horse tank. How much are you looking for it?

$275.00

 

[Salty Lemon]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[SPR1968]

Welcome to R2R!!

 

[crusso1993]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[o00brandon00o]

New member. I have a hex acrylic 35 gallon fish only tank for a little over 3 years. I want to upgrade to REEFING. I have been slowly changing tank parameters to more suit corals. Added a DIY CO2 chemical scrubber for my skimmer air intake and am pulling outside air in. Upped the PH from 7.7 to 8.3. Purchased Potassium, Alk, Calcium test kits and balanced those readings with newly purchased additives. Purchased new reef appropriate lights from Currant. (Orbit Marine LED Pro) Other equipment: Eshopps S-120 skimmer, Currant efflux DC return pump, Currant efflux wave pumps (just one), Eshopps hang-on-the-back overflow/ATO box and a DIY 10 gallon sump.

@ClearLife Welcome to R2R!!!