75g - Maximum DIY Shenanigans

[ElZesto]

Also got my hands on a par meter from my local marine aquarium club (shoutout PNWMAS!)
Initially my highest par was ~450, I took the light apart and played with some narrower lenses I had on hand and no change. Then I removed this “diffusion paper” I’d put over the light and WOW that fixed it. Here’s the final number with the 3 blue + white channel all at the % listed:

100%

75%

50%

Overall I’m quite surprised my numbers are so low considering it’s pulling ~306watts at full power, but then again it is Alibaba LEDs and DIY so eh… I’m still happy as these numbers seem like plenty for whatever I want to grow.

So updated the lighting schedule based on this info:

It does feel a *bit* aggressive to have a full 2h of 100% power, but given the numbers it’s kind of perfect for the SPS so I’m going for it anyways… open to guidance on this though, this is my first time with any actual SPS so I don’t really know what I’m doing.

 

[ElZesto]

I used to use brs 2 part. I use AFR now though and only bump individual elements as needed with 2 part.

Looking good!

Wow you’re just running AFR with those crazy big acro colonies??? That’s nuts sounds like I’ll just stick with AFR then and not over complicate it. Do you do any ICP testing or trace correction?

 

[Red_Beard]

Wow you’re just running AFR with those crazy big acro colonies??? That’s nuts sounds like I’ll just stick with AFR then and not over complicate it. Do you do any ICP testing or trace correction?

Yep, so far, afr has been plenty. I am planning to get a kalk reactor going soon though. In the 7 years that tank has been running, I've done 1 icp test. I don't usually do anything for trace correcting other than a big water change or two every now and then. I am a big believer in keeping things simple too lol

 

[ElZesto]

Yep, so far, afr has been plenty. I am planning to get a kalk reactor going soon though. In the 7 years that tank has been running, I've done 1 icp test. I don't usually do anything for trace correcting other than a big water change or two every now and then. I am a big believer in keeping things simple too lol

Good to hear, I was just stalking your thread and that 1yr growth for your battle corals frag looks fantastic. That’s definitely goals for where I want to have this tank in a year if possible.
Do you do a regular or automated WC schedule as well or just an occasional big one and call it good?
And also, do you have a specific method for dialing in your AFR? Previously I used alk while spacing my dosing to like 10 doses a day so it didn’t swing much throughout the day. I’ve had others tell me calc is actually a better measurement to dial in the dose quantity so I’m always curious what others are doing.

 

[Red_Beard]

Thanks!
Water changes are just an occasional 15-20 gallons, around one a month or so. Bigger if something seems off. I have some awesome pumps to automate that but never did get them set up.
I use alk measurements to dial in. I shoot for 7.5 - 8 ish, and bump it up as needed. Calcium may be more accurate on a shorter time scale but i adjust over the course of weeks, not days. It is one of those things that you have to take a long view with but make sure it doesn't run away on you short term.

 

[ElZesto]

nice, thank you for the info! Should help me getting this new system flowing nicely.