PAR levels for a 30 inch tank

[Adam Baggett]

OK, So I have my new PAR meter coming tomorrow and I was wondering where my PAR should be? My tank is a 300 US Gallon 48 x 48 x 30. I want to start keeping LPS/SPS and Softies.

I have 4 Rapid LED Oynx fixtures that are dimmable and they are controlled by my Apex, so I do ramp them up and down during the day.

They are running at 80% for each channel, when on full at the moment and I can control the Blue / White / Red-Green separately on each fixture.

Where should my PAR be at the surface / 10 / 20 / and 30 inches (bottom)? As I find this very confusing.

I am asking this because I have tried some "Easy to keep" LPS and SPS and they have died.

My water has very minimal traces of Nitrate and Phosphate, my water temp is 76.6 - 77 and I have very minimal fish load at the moment.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Hit an average of 100 on the bottom and see where you land in the rest of the tank.

Each type of light has different penetration characteristics. So if your aiming for a lower light and livestock tank, 100 or a bit less is a good start.

You will naturally have higher levels higher in the tank.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

There's a whole bunch that goes into keeping coral other than just light. NO3 and PO4, Alk and lighting all hold hands in a triangle that grows coral. If one gets out of line things go south.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

There's a whole bunch that goes into keeping coral other than just light. NO3 and PO4, Alk and lighting all hold hands in a triangle that grows coral. If one gets out of line things go south.

Oh yea, flow is in there too.

 

[cracker]

How high can one go on par at the bottom? Thanks Adam for letting me butt in. LOL

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

How high can one go on par at the bottom? Thanks Adam for letting me butt in. LOL

As high as your lights will let you. Lol.

IMO it's all about livestock choices.

I've seen tanks that have to be at 2000 at the top.

 

[cracker]

Yikes ! that's a lot. Thanks for the reply Salty, I'm running my ATI fixture at 75 % Just checked par .I'm getting 150/160 at the bottom 170 middle, 270 at the surface. I want to go 100%& see how the corals respond. Thanks Again Adam !

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yikes ! that's a lot. Thanks for the reply Salty, I'm running my ATI fixture at 75 % Just checked par .I'm getting 150/160 at the bottom 170 middle, 270 at the surface. I want to go 100%& see how the corals respond. Thanks Again Adam !

Myself , I like to run tubes at full.
And yea.me n ati had a talk abut it. Lol.