AI Prime Schedule 30 Gal IM Fusion

[azpharmd1]

Just curious for those who have a 30 gallon Innovative Marine Fusion or another tank with similar dimensions what AI Prime schedule has worked well in regards to coral growth. I've had an established mixed reef set-up (mostly LPS/softies) for a couple years and the coral have never really taken off and thrived. Lights are 10" above the surface with the following settings UV 50 (was 45), V 90 (was 105), RY 90 (was 105), B 70, G 0, R 0, CW 15 (was 20). Are the settings too high? Lights are on 11 hours (3.5 hour ramp up/down). Parameters are excellent, flow is not excessive, and I do not dose anything other than NOPOX. Acan do very well on the sand bed, however I have always really struggled with euphyllia and even zoas. Have had several nice healthy, euphyllia frags shrivel down to nothing. Have had two healthy Ricordea for two years that have not split. I have read tons of threads in various forms, checked out the AI Facebook page, BRS videos, etc. but would like to know from those who have a similar set-up (tank size/dimensions/light height) what has worked well. Thank you in advance for any help

 

[AJsReef]

LED lights are pretty tough to judge intensity but interpreting channel values. If you’re particularly concerned trying to find a PAR meter to borrow/rent would be your best bet.

 

[chipchipbro]

Imo those are not too high..
I do have the AI Prime over my 18" cube (20g) and usually have
70% UV
100% Blue / Royal Blue
90% Violet
5% Red / Green
10% White

I will even raise the intensity as for me PAR are not enough.

Even my Euphillya is going huge and my Acan too. (can check my build thread)

What are your water parameters? Maybe we should focus those.

 

[MaxTremors]

Imo those are not too high..
I do have the AI Prime over my 18" cube (20g) and usually have
70% UV
100% Blue / Royal Blue
90% Violet
5% Red / Green
10% White

I will even raise the intensity as for me PAR are not enough.

Even my Euphillya is going huge and my Acan too. (can check my build thread)

What are your water parameters? Maybe we should focus those.

This is very close to what I ran my AI Prime at. I think I had my UV at 60, violet 80, and white at 20, but otherwise the same.

 

[chipchipbro]

However, I had to acclimate my corals to that.
First the new corals were all closed (even the GSP) with this setting.

I recommend using the Acclimation Mode.

 

[azpharmd1]

Good morning and thank you for your replies. Parameters are:

Phosphate < 0.1
Ammonia 0
Nitrate < 10
Nitrite 0
pH 7.8
Calcium 360 (was in the high 400's, but recently stopped dosing B-Ionic. Didn't see much difference in corals at higher levels)
Salinity 1.023-1.025
Temp 78

I've never measured the PAR, but would be curious to know. Our state reef club (INDMAS) does have a club meter available to rent however it's a 3-4 hour round trip. Thank you again for sharing your schedules and helpful input. Greatly appreciated

 

[chipchipbro]

what about Alk and Mag?
I guess we need these numbers aswell

Others looking good so far. I usually keep my Calc around 450 but have seen others also going with 380 or so.

 

[azpharmd1]

I do not have kits for Magnesium and Alkalinity, but will pick some up soon. Is the pH ok at 7.8? I've never been able to get it up over 8 for any length of time.

 

[chipchipbro]

my friend, Alk is imo the most important parameter in a tank.
Imo pH is a bit low, yes...

But you need to know your Alk - better today than tomorrow

 

[azpharmd1]

my friend, Alk is imo the most important parameter in a tank.
Imo pH is a bit low, yes...

But you need to know your Alk - better today than tomorrow

I will definitely get a test kit coming. Thank you

 

[azpharmd1]

my friend, Alk is imo the most important parameter in a tank.
Imo pH is a bit low, yes...

But you need to know your Alk - better today than tomorrow

Just got a Salifert kit and Alk is 9.9

 

[chipchipbro]

Just got a Salifert kit and Alk is 9.9

9.9 is high but still toleratable imo.

 

[azpharmd1]

Imo those are not too high..
I do have the AI Prime over my 18" cube (20g) and usually have
70% UV
100% Blue / Royal Blue
90% Violet
5% Red / Green
10% White

I will even raise the intensity as for me PAR are not enough.

Even my Euphillya is going huge and my Acan too. (can check my build thread)

What are your water parameters? Maybe we should focus those.

Should I increase my UV or any of the other colors? Any products recommended to dose for increasing LPS (specifically euphyllia) growth?

 

[chipchipbro]

Well, if your corals are not opening.. I would suggest to try lowering the intensity at first..
I always use low whites.. @ 8%
U can always go higher.. but try lowering it and watch if corals start to open.

If not, we can try to find out whats the problem then if not light.

Still, make sure your waterparams are all in check and water quality is good.
I would not dose anything for now.. feed your fish and they will poo which is the best coral food imo.

 

[azpharmd1]

Well, if your corals are not opening.. I would suggest to try lowering the intensity at first..
I always use low whites.. @ 8%
U can always go higher.. but try lowering it and watch if corals start to open.

If not, we can try to find out whats the problem then if not light.

Still, make sure your waterparams are all in check and water quality is good.
I would not dose anything for now.. feed your fish and they will poo which is the best coral food imo.

Will do. Thank you for all the feedback

 

[Hooz]

You really should get a PAR meter and test your tank. I have the same tank (3x Primes) and, as shallow as it is, it doesn't take a lot of light. Probably less than you'd expect.

For 2 Primes on that tank, they should be mounted 10" above the water and 10" (on center) in from each end for best spread and most even coverage.

I'd also recommend taking a look at your schedule. If I understand correctly, your total schedule is 11 hours, and 7 hours of that is ramping (up and down)? Or is the 3.5 hours of ramping up and down combined? Either way, try something like this...

10:00am - 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0
11:00am - 108, 108, 81, 81, 0, 0, 0, 0
1:20pm - 108, 108, 81, 81, 0, 0, 0, 0
2:20pm - 108, 108, 81, 81, 6, 6, 0, 40
5:40pm - 108, 108, 81, 81, 6, 6, 0, 40
6:40pm - 108, 108, 81, 81, 0, 0, 0, 0
9:00pm - 108, 108, 81, 81, 0, 0, 0, 0
10:00pm - 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0

That gives you a 12 hour photo period, mostly blue with the red/green/white kicking on for a period in the middle of the day. I just based it off the BRS AB+ settings (at around 65%) for the Prime 16HD (Prime HD would be a little different with channels at 77, 75, 52, 52, 3, 3, 13), so you can adjust the whites to your liking. You can also slide the whole schedule left and right to adjust the on and off times, or up and down to increase or decrease intensity.

I will add... You'll still need to test with a PAR meter! I guessed on the 65% intensity based on my light settings on the same tank, but you won't know for sure without testing the settings on your own tank. If you run my numbers without testing, I'd suggest a 15% acclimation period for 3-4 weeks. That should be close for an LPS/Softie tank, maybe some SPS at the top.

I think people make things too complicated. If you look at places like WWC, the schedules are very simple. No big peaks or valleys, short ramp times, etc. If you're trying to grow coral, you could do a lot worse than mimicking WWC. I mean, they grow some coral!

 

[azpharmd1]

You really should get a PAR meter and test your tank. I have the same tank (3x Primes) and, as shallow as it is, it doesn't take a lot of light. Probably less than you'd expect.

For 2 Primes on that tank, they should be mounted 10" above the water and 10" (on center) in from each end for best spread and most even coverage.

I'd also recommend taking a look at your schedule. If I understand correctly, your total schedule is 11 hours, and 7 hours of that is ramping (up and down)? Or is the 3.5 hours of ramping up and down combined? Either way, try something like this...

10:00am - 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0
11:00am - 108, 108, 81, 81, 0, 0, 0
1:20pm - 108, 108, 81, 81, 0, 0, 0
2:20pm - 108, 108, 81, 81, 6, 6, 40
5:40pm - 108, 108, 81, 81, 6, 6, 40
6:40pm - 108, 108, 81, 81, 0, 0, 0
9:00pm - 108, 108, 81, 81, 0, 0, 0
10:00pm - 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0

That gives you a 12 hour photo period, mostly blue with the red/green/white kicking on for a period in the middle of the day. I just based it off the BRS AB+ settings (at around 65%) for the Prime 16HD (Prime HD would be a little different), so you can adjust the whites to your liking. You can also slide the whole schedule left and right to adjust the on and off times, or up and down to increase or decrease intensity.

I will add... You'll still need to test with a PAR meter! I guessed on the 65% intensity based on my light settings on the same tank, but you won't know for sure without testing the settings on your own tank. If you run my numbers without testing, I'd suggest a 15% acclimation period for 4 weeks. That should be close for an LPS/Softie tank, maybe some SPS at the top.

I think people make things too complicated. If you look at places like WWC, the schedules are very simple. No big peaks or valleys, short ramp times, etc. If you're trying to grow coral, you could do a lot worse than mimicking WWC. I mean, they grow some coral!

Good morning and thank you for the thorough reply - I really appreciate your willingness to help Lights are 10" above and 10" on center. My current schedule is 11 hours total with a three hour ramp up and ramp down (at a 45 degree angle) and five hours at max (straight line across). I run the following during five hour peak: UV 45, purple and royal blue 90, blue 75, green and red 0 (to avoid hair algae), cool white 15. My impression is that the AI's were pretty strong so not sure if my schedule should be beefed up or tapered down. My acans do great on the sandbed, but don't seem to get much growth out of anything else and the euphyllia always tank regardless of placement.

 

[Hooz]

Good morning and thank you for the thorough reply - I really appreciate your willingness to help Lights are 10" above and 10" on center. My current schedule is 11 hours total with a three hour ramp up and ramp down (at a 45 degree angle) and five hours at max (straight line across). I run the following during five hour peak: UV 45, purple and royal blue 90, blue 75, green and red 0 (to avoid hair algae), cool white 15. My impression is that the AI's were pretty strong so not sure if my schedule should be beefed up or tapered down. My acans do great on the sandbed, but don't seem to get much growth out of anything else and the euphyllia always tank regardless of placement.

So it looks like you're using the Prime HDs then? Cool. I think they're better lights than the 16HDs. I actually sold all of my 16HDs and replaced them with HDs.

Save your current schedule and then create this one and see what you think. IMO, having the reds and greens on for a short period isn't going to cause any crazy algae issues.

10:00am - 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0
11:00am - 77, 75, 52, 52, 0, 0, 0
1:20pm - 77, 75, 52, 52, 0, 0, 0
2:20pm - 77, 75, 52, 52, 3, 3, 13
5:40pm - 77, 75, 52, 52, 3, 3, 13
6:40pm - 77, 75, 52, 52, 0, 0, 0
9:00pm - 77, 75, 52, 52, 0, 0, 0
10:00pm - 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0

LPS and softies don't need a TON of light (PAR), but they do need good light, and for a long enough photo period to support growth.

If all parameters are within range, food, light and flow are the other main contributing factors. I looked through your previous posts, and it seems like you should be good. I keep Nitrate at 10-15ppm, Phosphate at .05-.10ppm, Alk at 9 with Calcium and Magnesium within the correct ranges (450ppm and 1300ppm). Other than that, I broadcast feed Red Sea AB+ daily, and Reef Chili 3x a week.

I have 40 different zoas, 7 torches, 5 hammers, 4 frog/octospawn, goni, blastos, etc. Everything is doing great for me.

 

[azpharmd1]

So it looks like you're using the Prime HDs then? Cool. I think they're better lights than the 16HDs. I actually sold all of my 16HDs and replaced them with HDs.

Save your current schedule and then create this one and see what you think. IMO, having the reds and greens on for a short period isn't going to cause any crazy algae issues.

10:00am - 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0
11:00am - 77, 75, 52, 52, 0, 0, 0
1:20pm - 77, 75, 52, 52, 0, 0, 0
2:20pm - 77, 75, 52, 52, 3, 3, 13
5:40pm - 77, 75, 52, 52, 3, 3, 13
6:40pm - 77, 75, 52, 52, 0, 0, 0
9:00pm - 77, 75, 52, 52, 0, 0, 0
10:00pm - 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0

LPS and softies don't need a TON of light (PAR), but they do need good light, and for a long enough photo period to support growth.

If all parameters are within range, food, light and flow are the other main contributing factors. I looked through your previous posts, and it seems like you should be good. I keep Nitrate at 10-15ppm, Phosphate at .05-.10ppm, Alk at 9 with Calcium and Magnesium within the correct ranges (450ppm and 1300ppm). Other than that, I broadcast feed Red Sea AB+ daily, and Reef Chili 3x a week.

I have 40 different zoas, 7 torches, 5 hammers, 4 frog/octospawn, goni, blastos, etc. Everything is doing great for me.

They say AI Prime 16 HD. Looks like a good recommendation on the schedule. Due I need to do an acclimation with that big a jump on UV? I do have a few simple SPS at the top (superman monti, garf bonsai, and forest fire monti), but would like to go to all acan, zoa, and euphyllia. Thank you for the informative replies as they have been very helpful