SC Aquariums 50 gallon PNP

[NY_Caveman]

Here is my schedule. I know you know how this works, but for anyone following along, left is the time of day, right is the percent intensity for each channel. There are three channels on this light and the order in the application is blue, white, moonlight. For example, at 13:00, it is blue 50%, white 24%. moon 80%. The moonlight channel is three 420nm diodes. I note this schedule is what I slowly built to over time. This gives me 480 PAR at the center waterline at the peak. It is my first LED fixture and although it has worked very well for my mixed reef (SPS, LPS, BTA) I am not a lighting or coral growth expert.

 

[Hemmdog]

Here is my schedule. I know you know how this works, but for anyone following along, left is the time of day, right is the percent intensity for each channel. There are three channels on this light and the order in the application is blue, white, moonlight. For example, at 13:00, it is blue 50%, white 24%. moon 80%. The moonlight channel is three 420nm diodes. I note this schedule is what I slowly built to over time. This gives me 480 PAR at the center waterline at the peak. It is my first LED fixture and although it has worked very well for my mixed reef (SPS, LPS, BTA) I am not a lighting or coral growth expert.

Nice nice. I have a question actually. My tank gets morning sun starting at sunrise. We have drapes but it’s still fairly bright, the fish are all wide awake and I can see the tank well. My lights don’t come on until 11am. Is my coral missing out on anything because it wants more light and “I’m” not providing it in the morning hours? I have always wondered this, I’m fine with an earlier schedule if it means my coral will be happier.

Hope it’s cool I ask a question @Philipgonzales3 lol

 

[NY_Caveman]

If the length of the light cycle is the same, I cannot see how changing the time of day would make a real difference. Ambient light is much different from direct light from the fixture. I know of several reefers whose schedule goes into the wee hours of the morning to match their personal schedule and habits.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Nice nice. I have a question actually. My tank gets morning sun starting at sunrise. We have drapes but it’s still fairly bright, the fish are all wide awake and I can see the tank well. My lights don’t come on until 11am. Is my coral missing out on anything because it wants more light and “I’m” not providing it in the morning hours? I have always wondered this, I’m fine with an earlier schedule if it means my coral will be happier.

Hope it’s cool I ask a question @Philipgonzales3 lol

No bro. Not cool at all!

Haha just teasing. Man, you don't know the number of threads I "hijacked" because I didn't have a build thread and/or I was just curious in general. We are all here to learn. I'm all for asking questions when one comes up. Feel free to post on any of my threads for any reason (that goes for anyone).

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Here is my schedule. I know you know how this works, but for anyone following along, left is the time of day, right is the percent intensity for each channel. There are three channels on this light and the order in the application is blue, white, moonlight. For example, at 13:00, it is blue 50%, white 24%. moon 80%. The moonlight channel is three 420nm diodes. I note this schedule is what I slowly built to over time. This gives me 480 PAR at the center waterline at the peak. It is my first LED fixture and although it has worked very well for my mixed reef (SPS, LPS, BTA) I am not a lighting or coral growth expert.

Ok, perfect. Thank you! It looks like I may not be too far off. No real corals yet, so of course I may need to adjust in the future a bit.

If I did my math correctly you have a 1 hour moonlight, 11 hour daylight, 1 hour moonlight for a total of 13 hours.

Again, if I did my math right (big if, as it's still early), I have a 1 hour moonlight, 12 hour daylight, 1 hour moonlight.



Makes me feel a little better knowing I am at least "in the ballpark" as far as intensity and photoperiod. Thanks again!

 

[NY_Caveman]

Nice. I will note, if I recall correctly, SB Reef Lights recommends you run each channel at a minimum of 4% for best use of the drivers and diodes.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Nice. I will note, if I recall correctly, SB Reef Lights recommends you run each channel at a minimum of 4% for best use of the drivers and diodes.

Thanks, I saw the disclaimer on the ramping spreadhseet. It read
** PWM drivers may not be stable below 4% resulting in flickering. Please do not use any values under 4% unless zero.**

I didn't know what PWM drivers were, and I meant to revisit this to double check but honestly I had forgot about it lol.

Looks like PMW=Pulse Width Modulation, which I assume all their controllable dimmable lights use, unless this technology has been replaced by something newer.

Anyway, I will make sure to update my settings.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Spent a little time today to tidy up the cables. I ultimately plan to move the power strip, but this will be for another day. This will have to do for now.

After I move, I am going to look into a way to hide it and get it out of this cabinet. Most likely move it to another cabinet.




Snails seemed to make quick work of the diatoms.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Looking to keep my parameters as stable as possible.

Just started testing Calcium, Magnesium, and Alk regularly. I think the first couple of tests may have been erroneous due to either using API and then initially having to learn how to do the Red Sea titration tests.

Salifert nitrate test is in the mail. NYOS shows 0 and API shows 10. Going with the higher number until I can confirm. Two API kits show 10. I assume the NYOS is wrong.





I'm pretty sure I'm addicted lol. Just bought some more goods that are being shipped out tomorrow.

 

[Hemmdog]

Looking to keep my parameters as stable as possible.

Just started testing Calcium, Magnesium, and Alk regularly. I think the first couple of tests may have been erroneous due to either using API and then initially having to learn how to do the Red Sea titration tests.

Salifert nitrate test is in the mail. NYOS shows 0 and API shows 10. Going with the higher number until I can confirm. Two API kits show 10. I assume the NYOS is wrong.





I'm pretty sure I'm addicted lol. Just bought some more goods that are being shipped out tomorrow.

Dude your test kits are more legit than mine now! Jealous!

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Dude your test kits are more legit than mine now! Jealous!

Going to have like 2 or 3 ways to test each thing now. Can't ever be too sure I suppose!

I thought the Hanna checkers for $100 was a pretty good score. Going to have to stay off the for sale forum as if I buy every good deal I see, I will go broke! Lol.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Dude your test kits are more legit than mine now! Jealous!

Double post....

Well while I'm on the topic of going broke. Saw some nice houses today. Lol.

We don't drink wine, maybe we can put a fish tank in its place?

Maybe a large cube? Haha

 

[Hemmdog]

Going to have like 2 or 3 ways to test each thing now. Can't ever be too sure I suppose!

I thought the Hanna checkers for $100 was a pretty good score. Going to have to stay off the for sale forum as if I buy every good deal I see, I will go broke! Lol.

I haven’t even checked it out yet... maybe that’s a good thing. lol. Yea I would love hanna checkers! They aren’t cheap though, just haven’t been able to justify it yet.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Have some more spots of a green algea showing up. Not sure if that's good or bad.

 

[Hemmdog]

Epic !! Green spots are normal.

Double post....

Well while I'm on the topic of going broke. Saw some nice houses today. Lol.

We don't drink wine, maybe we can put a fish tank in its place?

Maybe a large cube? Haha

 

[Philipgonzales3]

I think my puffers pregnant! Lol

Guess it's just a fatty like me. I always scrape a little of the clam meat off, but guess I'm not scraping off enough.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

@Nanofan12

You need to get a build thread going!

 

[Nanofan12]

@Nanofan12

You need to get a build thread going!

I know I'm slacking. Thinking of starting it tonight. Will do it from my phone since I have all my pics on here.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

I know I'm slacking. Thinking of starting it tonight. Will do it from my phone since I have all my pics on here.

Yeah most of my posts are from my phone. Half the time I notice spelling mistakes in them as I read them later lol.

I also sync my photos using Google photos to access my photos via a computer. This helps when I want to sit down and write for a longer period or what not.

 

[Nanofan12]

Yeah most of my posts are from my phone. Half the time I notice spelling mistakes in them as I read them later lol.

I also sync my photos using Google photos so access my photos via a computer. This helps when I want to sit down and write for a longer period or what not.

Great idea