SB Reef Light Help

[TheZew]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum, but not to the aquarium hobby. I currently have a 46 gallon bowfront aquarium with a sand bed, live rock, LPS, SPS, Kenya Tree and some GSP. The LPS corals: Torch coral, Frogspawn and Hammer coral are on the sand bed. The Kenya Tree and GSP are mid level and the Stylophora and Montipora are higher up. For filtration I have a Eheim 2217, Tunze protein skimmer and Aqua UV 25w sterilizer.

Now to my question about the lightning. I previously had Current Orbit IC Pro led set up it worked well, but just maintained the corals it did not produce any growth. I have recently in the past month switched to the 32" SB reef light pro with the timer. Thus far I am impressed with the light intensity, but can't seem to find the optimal setting to utilize.

I have done lots of reading throughout the other topics around this in the Reef2Reef forum, but can't seem to find a solid answer. I currently have the SB reef lights 6" off the waterline and the tank is 19" deep. To my question with the lights set a 60B and 30W the SPS, Torch coral, Kenya tree and GSP do great, but my Hammer and Frogspawn on the bottom do not do well. With my lights set at 85B 55W my LPS do great, but the Kenya tree and GSP close completely, I get crazy hair algae and I'm afraid that I will bleach out my SPS. I am going to try and find somewhere in the middle, but didn't know if anyone had any suggestions for me?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

That’s a lot of light for that tank. And quite likely you have a pretty noticeable hot spot. That could be a reason depending on where the corals are.

If you like the color at those settings, slow dial it down or just lower it. I would have guessed another 65 max btw.

A fwiw, at full power , that light will give 650+ par at 12in.

My bet is the coral haven’t quite acclimated to the intensity.
Also depending on the nutrients in the tank you can run higher or lower. I’ve had Xenia and paly at 700 + par. So most generalist coral will adapt. Gsp for sure.
IMO ime the torches don’t like that much light. You likely have them in 2-300 par.

Do also note , it can take weeks for corals to adapt.

 

[Captain Quint]

+1 with @saltyfilmfolks

Welcome to R2R new family member.

 

[ChrisRD]

Can you raise the light? That should help reduce hotspots and improve spectrum blending. How often do you clean the canister filter? They can start doing more harm than good if they're not getting cleaned often (thinking more in terms of the algae here...probably not so much the coral issues).

You might want to post water parameters so folks can offer more insight...

 

[TheZew]

Can you raise the light? That should help reduce hotspots and improve spectrum blending. How often do you clean the canister filter? They can start doing more harm than good if they're not getting cleaned often (thinking more in terms of the algae here...probably not so much the coral issues).

You might want to post water parameters so folks can offer more insight...

I do a 25% water change every two weeks and clean out the canister filter every 2 months. I've read about the dreaded hot spots, but the GSP and Kenya tree are on the outskirts of the tank, so realistically they shouldn't be impacted by them. For bioload wise I have a 2" Lunar Wrasse, "2 Spanish hogfish and Lawnmower blenny. I feed them New Life Spectrum Garlic Guard pellets once a day, but only as much as they can consume in 1 minute, so I do not believe water chemistry is the issue. Also note I never had green hair algae prior to owning the SB reef lights.

I would raise the light as ChrisRD mentioned above, but the spread becomes to large and the whole room becomes blue lol. One thing to note that I didn't mention previously when the lights are at 60B and 30W the GSP and Kenya tree are fully opened, but if I dial it up just a little bit say 65B and 35W they immediately start to close.

Perhaps I will have to leave it at this setting for a week or two and gradually increase, I just don't want my Frogspawn and Hammer coral to be halted by this since they seem to like the higher light. For instance when I had the lights set at 85B and 55W for a week the Hammer coral grew 6 new branches, which is pretty impressive.

 

[ChrisRD]

I'll defer to those who have actual experience with those lights as I haven't used them. Many of the successful tanks and coral farms I've seen using LEDs have them mounted very high. Maybe you can create a "skirt" to deal with the overspill?

As for the GH algae I'd look at your phosphate and nitrate levels to make sure the canister maintenance routine is frequent enough to not be impacting them. I'd also get some (more) critters in there that like to eat it...like the large Turbo / Trochus snails, Mithrix Crabs, etc.

HTH

 

[dantimdad]

Welcome aboard!

+1 with what @saltyfilmfolks said.

 

[TheZew]

I'll defer to those who have actual experience with those lights as I haven't used them. Many of the successful tanks and coral farms I've seen using LEDs have them mounted very high. Maybe you can create a "skirt" to deal with the overspill?

As for the GH algae I'd look at your phosphate and nitrate levels to make sure the canister maintenance routine is frequent enough to not be impacting them. I'd also get some (more) critters in there that like to eat it...like the large Turbo / Trochus snails, Mithrix Crabs, etc.

HTH

Yes I wish I could get some invertebrates to tackle the algae, but the fish will eat them, so not an available option at the moment. My only line of defense right now is the Lawnmower blenny.

 

[TheZew]

That’s a lot of light for that tank. And quite likely you have a pretty noticeable hot spot. That could be a reason depending on where the corals are.

If you like the color at those settings, slow dial it down or just lower it. I would have guessed another 65 max btw.

A fwiw, at full power , that light will give 650+ par at 12in.

My bet is the coral haven’t quite acclimated to the intensity.
Also depending on the nutrients in the tank you can run higher or lower. I’ve had Xenia and paly at 700 + par. So most generalist coral will adapt. Gsp for sure.
IMO ime the torches don’t like that much light. You likely have them in 2-300 par.

Do also note , it can take weeks for corals to adapt.

Thanks for the reply, so perhaps keep it at the setting of 60B and 30W for awhile where everyone except the Frogspawn and Hammer coral are happy. Your guess is that they should adapt over time, because the Frogspawn and Hammer coral seemed to like the higher setting of 85B and 55W?

 

[TheZew]

I'll defer to those who have actual experience with those lights as I haven't used them. Many of the successful tanks and coral farms I've seen using LEDs have them mounted very high. Maybe you can create a "skirt" to deal with the overspill?

As for the GH algae I'd look at your phosphate and nitrate levels to make sure the canister maintenance routine is frequent enough to not be impacting them. I'd also get some (more) critters in there that like to eat it...like the large Turbo / Trochus snails, Mithrix Crabs, etc.

HTH

Do you happen to know if there are any algae cleaning creatures that won't get picked off by the wrasse and hogfish?

 

[PDR]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Thanks for the reply, so perhaps keep it at the setting of 60B and 30W for awhile where everyone except the Frogspawn and Hammer coral are happy. Your guess is that they should adapt over time, because the Frogspawn and Hammer coral seemed to like the higher setting of 85B and 55W?

Finding the sweet spot does take some time. With or without a meter. To complicat that other stuff can happen along the way completely unrelated to the light. But may appear to be. IMO , not messing with it much is key. Personally I think that the secret of MH and t5. A lot of firepower and no setting to mess with. That forces stability.

 

[dbl]

Lot's of great advice, so I will just welcome you to the family here.

 

[P-Dub]

Just to add a suggestion. FaceBook has a support group for inquiries. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1673632526232303/

 

[Muttley000]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[P-Dub]

Shoot, WELCOME!!!
Forgot about that part!
You will have a blast. I hope you find the solution for your lights. I know that I am very impressed with my SB 16 inch basics with the apex hack.
Share and like often!

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

I cant help with the lights, but welcome to r2r!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Welcome to R2R
Ive been using SB reef for some time now and found it worked best at 19-12" above the tank/ You have to start with the switch for blues and gradually increase the one for the white until you get that coloration both you and inhabitants favor. I do have black tape over the reds as they seem to promote hair algae.
there is a couple of videos with light pars on you tube(if theyre still there) that should be helpful also in color selection.

 

[TheZew]

Welcome to R2R
Ive been using SB reef for some time now and found it worked best at 19-12" above the tank/ You have to start with the switch for blues and gradually increase the one for the white until you get that coloration both you and inhabitants favor. I do have black tape over the reds as they seem to promote hair algae.
there is a couple of videos with light pars on you tube(if theyre still there) that should be helpful also in color selection.

Ok thank you for the information. I currently have the settings at 60B and 30W and the only coral that is bothered by it is the torch coral. Once the lights are off and the moon lights come on the torch coral opens up. What are your settings currently at?

 

[BestMomEver]

I’ve never had those light but I live not too far from their place. They are great folks and will gladly answer any questions you have. You can find them on FB under SB Reefs.

Also.... welcome!