Par Meter on the Way, Help me Design and Mapping Plan

NS Mike D · Apr 30, 2020

In the next week or so, I am expecting to access to a PAR meter. I have several years old RapidLED Coronas over a 29g Aqueon tank. I figure I want 9 readings, diving the tank in 3rds top to bottom and left to right.

I plan on starting with the lights 12" above the tank and turning all the spectrums on 100%, 75% 50% and 25%. Then do the same for each spectrum individually. The repeat with 6" height and maybe 18".

I have saved someplace one of Dana's spectrum breakdown so I'll repeat the process approximating the spectrum balance base on the number of LEDs available, since this is how I normally decide on dialing in the % for each spectrum.

This might be overkill, but since I will have the meter for a few days, I figure why not. Set up a spreadsheet and I will have numbers for reference.

Comments on this plan? other mixes you think I should do? Any one do something similar that you care to share what and why you did?

Retro Reefer · May 1, 2020

You may want to check out this thread, be sure to post your results there when your finished mapping par values of your tank.

R2R Par Database

This thread is to host a Database of Par values on different tanks under different lighting, hopefully it will be useful for people to cross reference if they don’t have access to a Par Meter. This will not be an exact science but should give people a good estimation of different lighting over...

www.reef2reef.com

NS Mike D · May 1, 2020

^ I saw that thank you

AZMSGT · May 1, 2020

You're way overthinking this. I know BRS maps lighting but they do it for testing purposes.
1. Find mid tank and set your lighting spread as close to even as you can at that level. This may mean you need to raise or lower your lighting.
2. Adjust light Par to 300 - 350 at upper 3/4 of tank if you are going to have SPS. If LPS I would shoot for 250-300.
3. Place corals at appropriate height when you put them in the tank. Keep in mind that many corals will need a acclimation time to the lighting. So starting them in frag racks lower or just placing them near the bottom will ease them in to your particular lighting.

The above is what I have done now for a few months and it's worked perfectly for me. My tank is acropora and zoas with a few acan and a couple euphilia.