whot par from hydra 26hd lights

[johnj]

iv got a 160gal tank iv just setup with x3 hydra 26hd lights on d-d brackets at 11 inch above water surface!
im getting 230-260 max par under centre light at highest point! and 200-220 off to sides on little lower rockwork"
mid level par is from 150-200 with higher being under lights
on sand bed its 80-110 par

this is at max light times at 3.0,clock and with uv/v/ry/blue lights at 100-108%

would this be enough light for sps corals few months down line after starting with lps/easy sps like birdsnest till got dosing all sorted

 

[Billldg]

I would say that is on the lower end of what you want for SPS, if SPS is what you want down the road then I would suggest adding a T5 fixture and turn your lighting set up into a hybrid.

 

[jurgenph]

those par readings seem low.
i've seen them as high as 700 for a cranked 26hd just below the surface, under the light.

J.

 

[Billldg]

Where do you have your channels set at? I still will always recommend a hybrid setup though.

Scratch that, I see you have your blue channels at 100 percent, you may try and use a modified Radion AB+ setting.

 

[ImNemo]

That sounds average to me. My four kessil 360we's were similar on my 160. I added 4 t5 bulbs at 80 watts each and that doubled my par numbers. I measure using a Seneye.

 

[johnj]

I would say that is on the lower end of what you want for SPS, if SPS is what you want down the road then I would suggest adding a T5 fixture and turn your lighting set up into a hybrid.

iv looked at few hybrid setups but don't really wont to put holes in wall/ceiling for brackets"

 

[ImNemo]

iv looked at few hybrid setups but don't really wont to put holes in wall/ceiling for brackets"

You will definitely want to go to Hydra 52's if you are planning on SPS then unless you want to place them at the top of your tank.

 

[johnj]

im running the D-D Tube actinic and blue plus newer-1 setup

 

[johnj]

this is the lighting schedule

think this is good schedule ?

Tony Rogers – AquaIllumination

www.aquaillumination.com

 

[johnj]

 

[LARedstickreefer]

Don’t worry about which lighting schedule you choose. You’ll need to crank all blue channels to “max” not just to 100%. You’ll also need whites.

I’d go a different route for that size tank. I have two of these for my 34g tank. It took both with blues to the max in order to get 350par on the top of the rocks. Your tank is substantially larger than mine

 

[johnj]

Don’t worry about which lighting schedule you choose. You’ll need to crank all blue channels to “max” not just to 100%. You’ll also need whites.

I’d go a different route for that size tank. I have two of these for my 34g tank. It took both with blues to the max in order to get 350par on the top of the rocks. Your tank is substantially larger than mine

does that mean more money lol whot height are your lights from water surface ? does that make much difference to par and spread

 

[LARedstickreefer]

does that mean more money lol whot height are your lights from water surface ? does that make much difference to par and spread

This hobby is all about spending obscene amounts of money

Yes to both.

My lights were 9in above water surface. Corals were 19in, total, from the lights.

 

[ImNemo]

does that mean more money lol whot height are your lights from water surface ? does that make much difference to par and spread

SPS means more money, ha. At this point I have 680 Watts over my tank. If SPS could be grown with low wattage lights then I think everyone would be running them. Check out the SPS threads and look at the lights that are being used.

 

[johnj]

would 2 al prime hd next to my 3 hydra hd make much difference to par in a 160 gal

 

[LARedstickreefer]

would 2 al prime hd next to my 3 hydra hd make much difference to par in a 160 gal

Nope. But two more hydra26hd might.

And I might know just where to find two of them for a great price soon wink wink.

 

[ImNemo]

would 2 al prime hd next to my 3 hydra hd make much difference to par in a 160 gal

This would double it. You will see most sps tanks running t5's now. It's because they help with shadowing. Or sell the 26's and buy 52's. Honestly lighting is the easiest part of growing SPS corals.

61" Hybrid T5HO 4x80W Fixture with LED Mounting System - White

Welcome to the future of aquarium lighting! Combine your favorite LED Light module between proven T5 lights to create a stellar lighting system! Includes LED Light Brackets Powder Coated Aluminum Frame Individual T5 Reflectors Silicone T5 Sockets HEP Ballasts Accepts Four LED Light Module...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[johnj]

Nope. But two more hydra26hd might.

And I might know just where to find two of them for a great price soon wink wink.

im in uk mate few on my local forum but don't really like 2nd hand stuff and can bet most lights have bean blasted at over 100% for years!

 

[johnj]

This would double it. You will see most sps tanks running t5's now. It's because they help with shadowing. Or sell the 26's and buy 52's. Honestly lighting is the easiest part of growing SPS corals.

61" Hybrid T5HO 4x80W Fixture with LED Mounting System - White

Welcome to the future of aquarium lighting! Combine your favorite LED Light module between proven T5 lights to create a stellar lighting system! Includes LED Light Brackets Powder Coated Aluminum Frame Individual T5 Reflectors Silicone T5 Sockets HEP Ballasts Accepts Four LED Light Module...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I like the look of the Orphek Atlantik v4 gen 2 led unit but £900 uk pounds :0

Orphek Atlantik V4 (Gen 2) 2020 Edition

The Best Reef Aquarium LED lighting for Optimal Coral Growth and Color saltwater reef aquarium LED lighting

krakencorals.co.uk

 

[LARedstickreefer]

Lighting costs are one of the reasons I’ve stayed small time. One day, I’m going big time!

I agree with the idea to sell the 26HDs for something with a lot more power/spread/blending. Those Orpheks are expensive but probably not a bad idea. You would need more than one though.