Zoas look like they are dying

[ndz98]

I may have really screwed up bad. My zoas were doing okay, not great, but okay under the lighting I had granted I'm using a cheap LED light I paid 60 bucks for and it isn't very powerful. Well I was cleaning some things in my tank and for whatever reason I though it was a good idea to leave the light right over the open water while cleaning. Well I knocked it right into the water. Not once but twice. So now I have a third of the LEDs working but only the whites. No blue. So it's even less useful than before. I'm going to order the right light (probably a kessil a160) for them probably within the next couple of days but it probably won't come until after Christmas. I'm worried that in the mean time they are going to die because they aren't receiving nearly enough light. I kind of panicked a little and stacked all my rocks to get the zoas as close to the lights as possible. I guess my question is are they strong enough to rebound after a couple weeks of crappy lighting? Sorry for the unnecessary story telling. Just kind of worried.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Stuff happens man. Only mistake was moving them really. stirring up stuff. Skim filter lil water change PRIME. its all good.
They do spend a long time in the box from indonesia. pretty hardy.
Ill probably get flamed but what ever. Its an emergency. A shop light works too. Daylight balance is preferred. yea but what have ya got laying around the house. a phillips daylight par 38 from home depot $17
http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/showthread.php?118640-6g-JBJ-pico
This tank was powered by one par 38 30in above or it was too bright. it had one grand paly that then had 5 babies 8 kinds of zoas a purple photsinth sponge that spread every where branching gsp gone wild.
and no filter. so dont get too hung up on snobs and what THEY say is the right way.

If you were here I know for a fact theres t5 and PCs on craigslist or $20 with old tubes. old yea but whatever. get through this.
Id save my money and get a used something that dims auto on a timer. its cooler.

 

[joshporksandwich]

Like the previous poster said go to home depot. They had some leds at costco also for $30. Basically any light as long as it's strong enough will keep you corals alive.

 

[Tegridy Reef]

Hey pm I'm breaking down stuff might b able to help out got ai sol blues that I converted to hydras brand new or a halide or I got a cheap marine land and a cheap Chinese box

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Hey pm I'm breaking down stuff might b able to help out got ai sol blues that I converted to hydras brand new or a halide or I got a cheap marine land and a cheap Chinese box

You Sir...Rock!!

 

[ndz98]

No Home Depot here so the next best thing is lowes. I might go over there soon and see if I can find something cheap that you guys were talking about to last me until I can get a new light. When I go look at the lights will it tell me the par on the back?

 

[ndz98]

And thanks for the offer of the lights but I've already figured out what light I want to get. Currently torn between a kessil a160we and a SB reef light elite 16 in ramping.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

No. on the par. (long convo there)
Lowes works. you want the daylight coolwhite phillips led par 38.. Get it about 30-36in above the tank to start(or as even a spread as you can). its pretty strong.. you'll be able to eyeball the intensity compared to your old fixture. then go a bit less(acclimation)
If they dont have the led phillips par. A spiral compact works cool white or daylight/full spectrum. again get a good spread over the tank. you can lower it slowly after observing the corals.

your looking for color temp on store bulbs. 56k is true daylight. under 40k is not good. 48k meh

 

[ndz98]

Okay I'll be on the lookout for those in the store. Thank you!

 

[ndz98]

No. on the par. (long convo there)
Lowes works. you want the daylight coolwhite phillips led par 38.. Get it about 30-36in above the tank to start(or as even a spread as you can). its pretty strong.. you'll be able to eyeball the intensity compared to your old fixture. then go a bit less(acclimation)
If they dont have the led phillips par. A spiral compact works cool white or daylight/full spectrum. again get a good spread over the tank. you can lower it slowly after observing the corals.

your looking for color temp on store bulbs. 56k is true daylight. under 40k is not good. 48k meh

Will this work? It says it's 5000 k

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

yep
phillps is dimmable ask for one Its bright

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

for anyone following, its a favorite fuge light of some.
i just metered the phillips its 48k and 4000lux at 36in. 18 - 24 in spot
lotta blue spectrum little red very little green mostly orange yellow pretty even overall but double checking
Old school rsearch says 3000 at the bottom of an sps tank
you can do a par conversion but its not that close, thanks to the great bulbs n leds now.

(dear Santa. a par meter and a pony)