ViparSpectra Par Question.

Aspect · Aug 2, 2022

Hello, would anyone that knows what par these run at be able to give me a ballpark estimate for my setup? I have 4 running at 100% white/blue about 6" over my tank. I have 1/8" lids and tank is ~19" deep. Also, lenses are removed. Can anyone estimate what the par would be at the bottom of my tank vs. the top? Thank you.

Jekyl · Aug 2, 2022

Aspect said:
Hello, would anyone that knows what par these run at be able to give me a ballpark estimate for my setup? I have 4 running at 100% white/blue about 6" over my tank. I have 1/8" lids and tank is ~19" deep. Also, lenses are removed. Can anyone estimate what the par would be at the bottom of my tank vs. the top? Thank you.

You're probably at 500 par at the sand and 800 at top of the tank. I ran my black boxes 12" above the water, 20 white, 60 blue. This seems to be about the average people run them at.

Aspect · Aug 2, 2022

Jekyl said:
You're probably at 500 par at the sand and 800 at top of the tank. I ran my black boxes 12" above the water, 20 white, 60 blue. This seems to be about the average people run them at.

Wouldn't my soft corals be bleaching at that par? They are all doing great.

Jekyl · Aug 2, 2022

Aspect said:
Wouldn't my soft corals be bleaching at that par? They are all doing great.

Just giving the best guess I can for you.

Aspect · Aug 2, 2022

Jekyl said:
Just giving the best guess I can for you.

I know, I'm just genuinely curious if soft corals would bleach at that par

CookieRdReef · Aug 2, 2022

BRS did a youtube video measuring par on black boxes like vipra. It may be as much as 1000+ par at the surface. They pack a punch. Your corals will do best if you turn them down. I ran mine at 40% blues, 10% whites.

CookieRdReef · Aug 2, 2022

Aspect said:
I know, I'm just genuinely curious if soft corals would bleach at that par

Yes but depends on other factors, lower par would be safer in the long run for sure.

Aspect · Aug 2, 2022

CookieRdReef said:
BRS did a youtube video measuring par on black boxes like vipra. It may be as much as 1000+ par at the surface. They pack a punch. Your corals will do best if you turn them down. I ran mine at 40% blues, 10% whites.

All my corals are on my sand bed, I'm not sure how much the lids lower the par.

MaxTremors · Aug 2, 2022

A lot of soft corals can take a ton of light. I would assume you’re at at least 300-400 PAR, if not 500+ as mentioned. Glass lids (if kept clean) only reduce PAR by a max of 2-3%. I would turn them way down, 60% blue, 10-20% white depending on how white you like the tank.

Koh23 · Aug 2, 2022

There is more just than par, but, without lenses, my guess that you are around 100par at bottom....

Underdriven unbranded leds, no lens equals huge output drop on that height...

Btw corals adapt to strong light, even softies, but if all other factors are checked in...

Aspect · Aug 3, 2022

So update on this, ran all of yesterday and today at 60 blues 20 whites and haven't noticed in change in coral polyp extension, but I noticed my pH did not get to 8.3 topped out at 8.28 and bottomed at 8.07 while when I ran 100-100 my pH would top out at 8.42 and bottom out at 8.2.

Jekyl · Aug 3, 2022

Aspect said:
So update on this, ran all of yesterday and today at 60 blues 20 whites and haven't noticed in change in coral polyp extension, but I noticed my pH did not get to 8.3 topped out at 8.28 and bottomed at 8.07 while when I ran 100-100 my pH would top out at 8.42 and bottom out at 8.2.

Those are still higher numbers than most people have. Don't chase numbers. Make decisions based on your tank. FYI changes can take 2 or 3 weeks before showing any evidence reflected from your coral.

Aspect · Aug 3, 2022

Jekyl said:
Those are still higher numbers than most people have. Don't chase numbers. Make decisions based on your tank. FYI changes can take 2 or 3 weeks before showing any evidence reflected from your coral.

Okay but all I know right now is the pH isn't reaching what it used to. I will run like this a little longer and see what happens.