SPS ALIVE but not THRIVING

[Va_Reef]

You could build a canopy to hide them, a 2 bulb T5 on each side of the xr15s. Im not sure if ATI makes a 2 bulb, but their fixtures are super slim, my 8 bulb is only 2.1" thick.

As far as integration, because most T5s lack dimming capability, your best bet would be to run them on an aquarium controller.

 

[dave57]

You could build a canopy to hide them, a 2 bulb T5 on each side of the xr15s. Im not sure if ATI makes a 2 bulb, but their fixtures are super slim, my 8 bulb is only 2.1" thick.

As far as integration, because most T5s lack dimming capability, your best bet would be to run them on an aquarium controller.

That seems like a good idea, I'll look into them thanks. I noticed more of the polyps extending out during the day. I've adjusted my lights to 100% blue 40%whites green 100% reds 30% all running at 100% intensity. Corals seem happy at this setting, my alk is now stable at 8.0. Will probably try to increase to 8.5-9 dkh, haven't tested my nitrates or phosphates for about 3 days but been dosing 1 ml vodka for nitrates. I've also been dosing Red Sea energy a and b, acropower and phytoplankton daily. Everything seems a little happier. Will post pics tomorrow. Any other suggestions You guys can think of? I'm thinking of temporarily moving both my xr15 together to provide more par and intensity for my sps in the mean time I figure out my lighting situation in the near future.

 

[Va_Reef]

This may be unrelated to the polyp extension but green at 100% seems excessive. Tone that back to match reds imo.

 

[dave57]

This may be unrelated to the polyp extension but green at 100% seems excessive. Tone that back to match reds imo.

Would 40w 40b 40g be okay?

 

[JTreef]

I think more radions are going to be your best bet. One more xr15 would make a big difference.
I don't know if your interested but someone on my local Carolina forum is selling a lightly used gen3 xr15 with mounting arm for 275 shipped. Still expensive but a heck of a lot better than 450+.

 

[JTreef]

I keep whites and blues up high on my radion gen 2 xr30. I run my light 50% right now.
Green and reds low. Not sure exactly but probably not much above 15%

 

[JTreef]

Moving the lights closer could help if the sps were under the lights. Good even spread makes a difference for me

 

[reefwiser]

Put some T5's on that tank. You will be please with the results. Poor SPS are starving for the light spectrum they are needing plus you are going to need a wider spread of light on that size tank.

 

[Goldenchild]

I use 3 xr30 and 4 48" ati t5 blues. I have the t5 lights come on for 6 hours and then enjoy just blues before the tank shuts down. I made wood platform for the lights to sit on and hung them. Not sexy at all lol

 

[Goldenchild]

If i had to do it all over again i would buy the 60 inch ati hybrid with xho reef brites. Wait wanna buy some radions

 

[dave57]

I'm selling my xr 15s now, got some sb reef lights. We'll see how it goes..

 

[atp0726]

I'm selling my xr 15s now, got some sb reef lights. We'll see how it goes..

Want to trade the xr 15s for 1 Radion G3 plus some cash? 2 xr15s would be perfect over my 42 gallon but you need at least 2 maybe 3 xr30s over your 135g.

 

[dave57]

Want to trade the xr 15s for 1 Radion G3 plus some cash? 2 xr15s would be perfect over my 42 gallon but you need at least 2 maybe 3 xr30s over your 135g.

I actually sold them already sorry