Radion Intensity Question - SPS AB+

[Jay_M]

Hello,

I am looking for some advice on Radion XR15 Pro gen 4 intensity while running the SPS AB+ program.

I have 4 on a 5 foot tank 2 foot deep. The lights are 8-9 inches from surface of water.

Currently aiming for a mixed reef. I have a encrusting monti half way up the tank, (not happy.). A hammer and some acans.

-Jay

 

[cjd]

Is this the first light on the tank ? Are you coming from a different light source to leds? Led is a powerful source of light ,even when to the eye they may appear dimmer than the likes of T5's or halides . What is the intensity set up now that things are looking unhappy? I personally would start out in the max of 25% range and let things adjust . Of course assuming your water parameters are all inline and its just the new light source that is making things unhappy.

 

[DHill6]

I have the gen4 pro 30 on the arm over 24 deep also running AB+ program. I have increased intensity due to SPS, scans , Welso-scolys ( shaded) and Hawaiian red anemone on bottom of tank. Where is your intensity set? The intensity is 34%, may raise it slowly, watching SPS. Also I am feeding coral and dosing nitrates, tank was running too clean. Increased the flow, presently not even running a skimmer., one fish BB 24x30x24.

 

[pickupman66]

I have a mixed reef and am running the SPS AB+ for 10 hours daily at up to 90% peak. corals had LED before hand, but I wanted more. so far so good. I did ramp into it over several weeks. I have the wide angle lenses on a 20" deep tank. Derasa on the bottom and I hit 150 par. top is in the 400's where I have SPS, zoas and Euphelia.

 

[Jay_M]

Parameters are in check.

This is the first coral going into the tank, so there was no baseline.

I think I was melting the monti half way up, so I dropped intensity to 45%. It's receding edges and melted appearance is what caused me to drop it. It came from a shallow frag tank under Kessils.

Should I drop more?

 

[DHill6]

What Radion? Keep in mind Gen4 is stronger. 90% hovering over the set point or 90 on the slider?

 

[DHill6]

I've read discussions on the Radions set points before on R2R. The intensity is the hover number over the set point. The slider is the safety net, it won't go over that (Ecotech). I have an unhappy monti myself, moved it up into more light and flow waiting to see if it will rebound. Midway up at the moment. My 34% intensity is a 49 on the slider to the left, I kept the true AB+ color intensity. Don't constantly move it, more stress.

 

[cjd]

Parameters are in check.

This is the first coral going into the tank, so there was no baseline.

I think I was melting the monti half way up, so I dropped intensity to 45%. It's receding edges and melted appearance is what caused me to drop it. It came from a shallow frag tank under Kessils.

Should I drop more?

First coral going in the tank meaning this is a newly established reef tank?? Just cycled ?? Any fish or clean up crew ? Could also be a nutrient issue if it is such a young tank. Yes I think 45% at 8-9 inches off the surface is a lot of light . Those gen 4 are beasts . Even though they were under a Kessil and may have been adapted to led , the Radion is a whole other animal. Do you have a picture? Are we sure those are receding edges and not growth rings?

 

[Jay_M]

First coral going in the tank meaning this is a newly established reef tank?? Just cycled ?? Any fish or clean up crew ? Could also be a nutrient issue if it is such a young tank. Yes I think 45% at 8-9 inches off the surface is a lot of light . Those gen 4 are beasts . Even though they were under a Kessil and may have been adapted to led , the Radion is a whole other animal. Do you have a picture? Are we sure those are receding edges and not growth rings?

Tanks been up since December, rock was in heated saltwater since October. Cleanup crew yes, 2 tiny clowns, diamond goby, very young Tomini tang and a young lyretail Anthias.

150 DT with 68 gallon sump.

 

[smokin'reefer]

Keep in mind, even though it is a powerful light. When you're running the AB+ program you have 2 of your stronger channels turn down to 24%. So like my gen 3. They normally would put a 165 watts maxed out. AB+ program they're only pushing a hundred Watts

 

[Jay_M]

I was told by the LFS to drop to 40% and put the monti on the sand bed to "recover".

Thoughts?

 

[Jay_M]

First coral going in the tank meaning this is a newly established reef tank?? Just cycled ?? Any fish or clean up crew ? Could also be a nutrient issue if it is such a young tank. Yes I think 45% at 8-9 inches off the surface is a lot of light . Those gen 4 are beasts . Even though they were under a Kessil and may have been adapted to led , the Radion is a whole other animal. Do you have a picture? Are we sure those are receding edges and not growth rings?

It's def looking rough compared to when I got it.

 

[Jay_M]

It's def looking rough compared to when I got it.

Top is today bottom day after I got it. Polyps have only opened on the sides at 1 point. But that's the only change i saw. Top has never opened.

 

[sebastiaan1985]

Over my tank I have Gen3 Pro maxing at 35% and still 150 par according to my Apex at a depth of 40cm (~15")
Lights mounted using RMS mounting kit.

 

[DHill6]

Please check your light info, difference between Gen4 Pro and previous models.

 

[ECOKid]

Is it a reverse superman monti?

 

[smokin'reefer]

Just using my tank as an example, I find it hard to believe you're getting too much light. The only true way to tell is to get a par meter . does your lfs have one that you can use? I realize my lights are different. I have gen 3 pros xr30. But I have 3 of them over a 5-foot tank. Smaller tank than yours it's a 92 gallon. Set intensity, the bar on the left, is set at 85%. The true intensity is 55%. I have wide-angle lenses that cut some of the par now struggle to get 350 par 6 inches below waterline. Lights are on RMS mounts.
Just my humble opinion.
Still feel it is the lights, you could always just run and acclimate period. Something like turn it down to 25 to 30% to acclimate three or four weeks.

 

[sebastiaan1985]

Please check your light info, difference between Gen4 Pro and previous models.

I know, just stating the power of the Radions; G4 is even more powerful than G3.

So would advise him to take it slow and on conservative side of things.

 

[ECOKid]

It's def looking rough compared to when I got it.

That looks like a reverse superman. Mine started to wash out forcsome reason. I rented a par meter and seen it was only getting 150 nanoMeters of light lol. Get the par meter for sure. Also, reeflink has an acclimation setting. You can start at whichever percentage, set acc timer to what you want, and let reeflink do its magic.

 

[dansreef]

As said before... G3 and G4 are two different beasts as far as output.

I am running 3 Gen 3 Radions and the AB+ setting. I am running at 70% total intensity over a 180 display. I am also supplementing with two 48" T5's.... adding in more color and eliminationing shadows. I started. I have hammers that lost color... I have SPS that are doing fine including blue rim and green montias.

Also agree...a par meter is a good idea. I have not charted mine recently and with this programming. My plan is to slowly raise total intensity to 85% over the next few months slowly.