Whats Your Par?

brick-brothers · Sep 1, 2015

I just did my par reading. I'm running (3) 400w mh ( I know I know, electric bill is killing me, lol) on my 220 sps dominant tank. From the floor to the top of the water it measured at 22". So what I did was measure every 5-1/2". From the water surface my par is around 800, 16-1/2" down its around 590. 11" down its around 385, 5-1/2" down its around 325 and the bottom is around 220. My sps seems to be doing great tho 3/4 sps are alil brown. So I wanted to know what par levels are good for sps growth and color. And whats your par? Pix of your tank would be great.

Rockhead · Sep 1, 2015

I'm no expert, but know a few people that have amazing looking tanks 180&220 running 3 x 250w you may be able to save a little money and still run halides with great color and growth. I'm running a Ati 10x54 with close to 400 par 6" below the surface and 200 on the sand in a all sps tank with good color and growth , so it may be over kill but but there are other reefers with success running 400w bulbs, it's all in your preferences.

Russ265 · Sep 2, 2015

around 600 1" below the surface
around 100 at the sandbed

you have plenty par for your tank. i would look at your water parameters

luke33 · Sep 2, 2015

I run an 8x80w ati sunpower on my 180g. The bottom of my tank is between 300-350 par. Aquacultured sps are doing wonderful, maricultured are at best 50/50 and extremely sensitive when acclimated. At this point I won't do mari anymore. Some sps will take a few months to color up after browning out after purchasing them. Just keep your parameters stable and I'm sure they will color up. What type of sps are they that are browned out?

Most of my sps are between 400-600. Mille's I keep as low as possible. I would do the same with digi's.

brick-brothers · Sep 2, 2015

Actually I think it's 2/3 of my Millie's. I have them kinda high. I'm going to drop them lower when I get home

luke33 · Sep 2, 2015

If your mille's are doing well where they are I wouldn't be concerned. I just always start them low. Some of mine are growing well in 400-600 par so they each have their own light demand. Generally when you buy one I would ask what kind of intensity they have it under as well as par figures. If they are reputable they should know imo.