PAR tested Noopsyche K7 mini on IM 15gal cube

[Kasrift]

Good morning all. I'm a noob around here but I thought I'd help out a little. Just got my IM15 nano tank set up. I rented an Apogee MQ-510 PAR meter from yourreef.com (they are local to me, nice shop btw)

I did tests with all channels (W/B/V) at 100%, 50%, 25% and 20% (20% center of tank only).

I also did a test at 30% in the center of the tank and moved each channel from 0-100%, one at a time, to see how much effect it had on PAR. Not surprisingly, the blue channel carries most of the energy. Violet had the least impact. See notes on my drawings attached.

Other notes: the light sits 7" above the water level. It was also slightly closer to the front wall than the rear wall. centered left to right. that's just how I could get the arm to bend. shouldn't change the reading too much.

Conclusion was, this 60W light is overkill at 100% on this little 15" cube. looks like the sweet spot will be 25 to 30% blue for softies/lps. adjust the other colors as needed.

Yes, my light is off in the tank pics, I have no livestock yet, soon!

Anyway, hope this helps some of the others out with this light/tank combo. I am glad I tested because the 50% I was guessing at was way too much par.

@woodyarmadillo

 

[Erikinsac]

Have you made any changes to the schedule you were running? I am using it also with similar corals.

Nope, no changes yet. I am battling some algae issues but i have left the light schedule alone.

 

[Amstar]

How are you liking your light diffuser ? Still have it on the light? Did it affect par readings at all?

Where did you get it?

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Wow...this is convenient! I literally just bought the light on light for my 5 gallons I want to make SPS dominant so this will surely be helpful!

 

[Erikinsac]

Hi, do you mean the shade? yup, still use it, it works great. Sam makes them at parlaquatics

 

[Kigs15]

Hi. I typed an entire response and the app crashed. anyway, you can use my settings and adjust as needed, but your tank shape and scape might be quite a bit different than mine, but it'll get you in the ball park. The zig zag lines are supposed to be like clouds. The Xs on my chart were just locations I didn't take readings at certain light levels.

Thanks boss.