Build Thread Spinoff #1: NICREW 150 PAR Test

[Struansmochkins]

Hi folks,

I've been PAR testing a NICREW 150 which I'm using as part of my build thread. This seems like good info for the lighting forum so I'm spinning off this thread to focus on that. I'll do another write-up separately on using the Hydros Control 4 with this light in the build thread later too.

Equipment
Waterbox 25 mini peninsula (20x16x16 display)
BTM3000 PAR sensor
NICREW Hyperreef 150
Hydros Control 4 w/ 0-10v quad cable control
3.5mm stereo male to mono female splitter*
Makeshift sensor holder
Laptop

* Hydros 0-10v outputs are single channel. NICREW is a dual channel 0-10v input. A stereo/mono splitter will mux it.

Testing Setup
I planned a grid at 3 depths based on my actual display tank. This is with rock in place so some grid locations are untestable. I got as close to the desired grid spot as I reasonably could otherwise.

The light was hung about 9" off the surface. Light was controlled by a variable light output in Hydros setting both white/blue channels equally. Adjusting min/max and overriding the light control let me test at 20/40/60/80/100% output.

Results

Observations
The light performed quite well I think! The lower values on the left are due to a gyre pump and the black aio wall. Internal reflection seems to boost the values on the right side quite a bit (that's the peninsula side - all glass).

Cheers!

(edit: typo)

 

[jpark457]

I have the same light and have observed without numbers to back it that it kind of shouldn’t run at 100. 60 seems to be the sweet spot for like 18x36” of coverage for a little under what I have guessed at as 100 par on the floor / sides and 200-300 top.

 

[Struansmochkins]

Yea, agreed, I bought this hoping to drive it nowhere near 100%. I think I'll set my hard limit to 60%.

What are you keeping under this @jpark457 ? Any tips otherwise?

 

[jpark457]

I have a mixed reef, top is SPS w a troubling invasion of Xenia, mid and bottom LPS and soft. Montipora dig and cap growing well. I had an acro going well w good rapid growth until the Xenia annoyed it. Build thread has more info and pics. I’m about to split to what I have now as soft coral only and move the rest to a 75 I just drilled and need to plumb. I am doing 2 of the 150s over the 75 and think I’ll run at 50-60%

 

[Struansmochkins]

I have a mixed reef, top is SPS w a troubling invasion of Xenia, mid and bottom LPS and soft. Montipora dig and cap growing well. I had an acro going well w good rapid growth until the Xenia annoyed it. Build thread has more info and pics. I’m about to split to what I have now as soft coral only and move the rest to a 75 I just drilled and need to plumb. I am doing 2 of the 150s over the 75 and think I’ll run at 50-60%

Good luck with the new tank!