PAR question.

[Joiningsession]

Question is based off having a zoa dominant tank. I understand that certain strains of zoas will react different but wondering what the general consensus is. Also understand lighting isn't the only factor, but..

Does higher par or lower par increase color or growth rates and vise versa? I've also read that the mostly dominant blue/uv/Violet spectrum is best, is this true as well?

Thanks in advance

 

[littlebigreef]

Its been my experience that most zoas do well with a par between 80-145. For some of the more 'temperamental' strains they like par's closer to 80, this includes mohicans, wolverines, emperorV2's a$skrals, mauls.

As for color vs growth I think of it this way. If the coral is exerting more energy in pigmentation then its spending less energy growing. Thinking back to the days of metal halides you could have 8-10k and grow acros quickly or you could have 18-20K bulbs and you'd get color but less growth. Having grown zoas for awhile do I believe lights are less important to growth than nutrients (nitrates and phosphates) and supplemental target or broadcast feeding (reef roids, reef chili- whatever).

I think most zoa guys favor the bluer spectrum because, let's face it, that's what displays the colors the best.

I myself have had great results with ATI Blue Plus x2, a Coral Plus, and a Purple Plus. However, I wasn't getting the color I wanted (the one sucky thing about T5's) so a few months back I added a reef brite XHO blue and I couldn't be happier with the results.

 

[Joiningsession]

Its been my experience that most zoas do well with a par between 80-145. For some of the more 'temperamental' strains they like par's closer to 80, this includes mohicans, wolverines, emperorV2's a$skrals, mauls.

As for color vs growth I think of it this way. If the coral is exerting more energy in pigmentation then its spending less energy growing. Thinking back to the days of metal halides you could have 8-10k and grow acros quickly or you could have 18-20K bulbs and you'd get color but less growth. Having grown zoas for awhile do I believe lights are less important to growth than nutrients (nitrates and phosphates) and supplemental target or broadcast feeding (reef roids, reef chili- whatever).

I think most zoa guys favor the bluer spectrum because, let's face it, that's what displays the colors the best.

I myself have had great results with ATI Blue Plus x2, a Coral Plus, and a Purple Plus. However, I wasn't getting the color I wanted (the one sucky thing about T5's) so a few months back I added a reef brite XHO blue and I couldn't be happier with the results.

Thanks for the input as what you've said is pretty much what I was thinking. Just wanted to hear other people thoughts. Appreciate it!