par readings

[greg0385]

I have ther par meter and im getting low 300 on the top of the rockscape and 200s on the sandbed. About 5 inches above the top of my rock scapes is 400s. Right now i just have 3 sps and so far they all look great at the par level of 300, im hoping as they grow they will get into the 400 par level instead of me redoing my rockscape.

I still thinks its impressive par levels with 250watt MH on a 31" tall tank.

I do plan on going leds in the next 12 months but i wonder what should i do?

 

[greg0385]

So after reading this i left out that the scape is 15" under the water and the point of this thread was will the acros grow at high 200s/ low 300s par level instead at 400s or should i leave the light period on for longer?or should i just redo my scape so its taller?

 

[poolkeeper1]

So after reading this i left out that the scape is 15" under the water and the point of this thread was will the acros grow at high 200s/ low 300s par level instead at 400s or should i leave the light period on for longer?or should i just redo my scape so its taller?

IMO 300par mid range in your tank is just fine and 200 or a little below on the sandbed is also fine. The #'s your getting are actually not exact with the meter we have so you need to add 20% to those so you have more than enough par as i have found that 400 is excessive and not needed, That much par above the water level is normal but below 300 is ideal. JMO
Bill

 

[pelagic]

here's some extra info

How Much Light?! Analyses of Selected Shallow Water Invertebrates' Light Requirements
Feature Article: How Much Light?! Analyses of Selected Shallow Water Invertebrates' Light Requirements — Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine

MAX PAR for some SPS, it means the certain type doesn't absorb more than the amount of PAR.

Acropora cervicornis 281
Acropora cervicornis 331
Acropora digitifera 387
Acropora divaricata 77
Acropora formosa 340
Acropora gemmifera 340
Acropora granulosa 107
Acropora microphthalma 300
Acropora millepora (coenosarc) 190
Acropora millepora (polyp) 230
Acropora nobilis (coenosarc) 310
Acropora nobilis (polyp) 180
Anthopleura elegantissima (anemone) None @ 540
Cyphastrea serialia (coenosarc) 150
Cyphastrea serialia (polyp) 150
Montipora tuberculosa (coenosarc) 180
Montipora tuberculosa (polyp)
Pocillopora damicornis 225
Pocillopora eydouxi 323
Porites cylindrica 200
Stylophora pistillata 600-2000
Stylophora pistillata (shade) 200
Stylophora pistillata (light) 300

 

[gmoney243]

I've never used? MH but from what I've read 550 par is about max for sps for MH I wouldn't want less than 350 for sps just to get good growth. At 250 they would survive but not grow fast and might not have best color. Sounds like your par levels are good so up to you if I want to get those acros max growth. But I would start them all on sandbed and move up slowly just to make sure they acclimate fine to light. This is just what I've read tho as far as MH par levels. Leds tho I run at 300-350 at top rocks. With leds I think 400+ is suppose to burn/bleach ur corals.

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[gmoney243]

I've never used MH but from what I've read 550 par is about max for sps for MH I wouldn't want less than 350 for sps just to get good growth. At 250 they would survive but not grow fast and might not have best color. Sounds like your par levels are good so up to you if you want to get those acros max growth. But I would start them all on sandbed and move up slowly just to make sure they acclimate fine to light. This is just what I've read tho as far as MH par levels. Leds I run at 300-350 at top rocks. With leds I think 400+ is suppose to burn/bleach ur corals. In the end I bet you'll add more rock anyway to make room for all the corals you will be buying in the nxt year lol
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[kuyatwo]

You didn't mention the bulbs you are running and ballasts. Lighting is important but flow and stable parameters are more important than light for corals to grow


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[greg0385]

The lighting is 2-250 watt Hamilton MH 14k phoniex, 4-t5s icecapp 660-2 blue+,coral+,purple+.

Par readings from water surface to 30" deep
0-2" -2000-2400
5"-10"-1000-1200
12"-15"-300-500
24"-30"-180-230

These are some estimate par levels i was getting and as i said the top of the scape is 15-16" tall.
I was worried about growth and color at low 300 par and if becomes a problem i could just add another layer of rock to the scape to get into the 400 level. For now im just going too monitor the frags and try to keep things stable as possible.