Do I bite the bullet..

[Mike.]

Hello everyone

I have a fluval flex 32.5 coupled with 1 smatfarm 95w light and things are growing nicely until I put a polycarbonate lid on my tank to deter aerial stunts from the fish. Everything looks fine except the anemones which are now reaching for the light. I am already on 100% light intensity so I cannot raise the levels any more.

What would be the best bet?

1 Radion xr30 Pro (I was looking for an excuse!)
AI Hydra 32
2 AI Primes
Budget saver: Another Smatfarm 95w

What do you all think? I dont think I will ever grow SPS but I do love my torches and Nems

thanks!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Of your choices, only the radion offers more wattage, the primes and hydra are basically the same wattage as you have now. I'm a little surprised you need more lighting - I have a 100 watt nicrew on my 32, and I've kept a birdsnest coral under that light. I wouldn't think that you need much more, maybe consider a 150 watt fixture?

 

[Mike.]

Of your choices, only the radion offers more wattage, the primes and hydra are basically the same wattage as you have now. I'm a little surprised you need more lighting - I have a 100 watt nicrew on my 32, and I've kept a birdsnest coral under that light. I wouldn't think that you need much more, maybe consider a 150 watt fixture?

its so strange, thats what I thought too. As soon as that lid went on, the bubble nems started walking and reaching. My LTA started reaching.

I saw smatfarm has a higher wattage than the 95W, it may need to be a 150W fixture. Who would have thought the lid cut par that much? The only real test is to get a PAR tester I guess.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

It seems like more of a lid issue, in that case, its hard to know how much power you need to push through the lid. Perhaps the lid might need replacement instead of the light? lol, choices.... good luck

 

[Mike.]

It seems like more of a lid issue, in that case, its hard to know how much power you need to push through the lid. Perhaps the lid might need replacement instead of the light? lol, choices.... good luck

you raise a fair point. hahaha thanks for the input

 

[me & my baby]

Replace the polycarbonate lid with a clear mesh lid and that should fix your light issue.

 

[Dom]

Were it my tank, the first thing I'd do is remove the lid to see if things bounce back.

Also, it may be more cost effective using a different type of lid than to buy a new light.

 

[DarthRaiderBob]

Have you considered the noopsyche fixtures? Reasonably priced and 150 watt fixtures. $180.00 on their website with brackets or $149.00 without.

 

[me & my baby]

It’s not the light it’s the lid . I lid will be a cheaper fix then replacing the light

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello everyone

I have a fluval flex 32.5 coupled with 1 smatfarm 95w light and things are growing nicely until I put a polycarbonate lid on my tank to deter aerial stunts from the fish. Everything looks fine except the anemones which are now reaching for the light. I am already on 100% light intensity so I cannot raise the levels any more.

What would be the best bet?

1 Radion xr30 Pro (I was looking for an excuse!)
AI Hydra 32
2 AI Primes
Budget saver: Another Smatfarm 95w

What do you all think? I dont think I will ever grow SPS but I do love my torches and Nems

thanks!

Hydra would be ideal and primes also cost efficient and controlled by your phone at reasonable cost. My daughter has similar tank and using primes and all corals growing and thriving very well

 

[me & my baby]

Any light you put over the tank with the polycarbonate sheet still on you will lose 15-20 percent light transmission through it . That is when it is 100% clean . Once it gets dirt or hazy you will lose more . So why not just put some clear mesh over the top . It will keep the fish in and let the light go through it .

 

[minus9]

I would get a Reefi Uno Pro over any of the lights you listed, especially for the money.

 

[me & my baby]

Here is what a another member did with your exact tank

DIY Lid for Fluval Flex 32.5

I have been using an adjustable window screen for my aquarium, procrastinating getting a real lid. Well, it finally died, and I need a new one. The tank is 32.5 inches x 14 inches. It has a sort of rounded back filter (I'll put a picture below). I was originally going to buy the Red Sea custom...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Mike.]

Any light you put over the tank with the polycarbonate sheet still on you will lose 15-20 percent light transmission through it . That is when it is 100% clean . Once it gets dirt or hazy you will lose more . So why not just put some clear mesh over the top . It will keep the fish in and let the light go through it .

My problem is I have a really bad evaporation problem too. These lids already cut down on evap so much which is great.

I will hold off on the light for now and experiment with the lid, maybe I will drill more holes into the top. Right now I moved my light to focus on the nems and they seem to be happy.

thanks for your input

 

[me & my baby]

With the lid on and condensation building up on it that is going to cut your light penetration even worse.with any light .

 

[Mike.]

With the lid on and condensation building up on it that is going to cut your light penetration even worse.with any light .

haha i cant have it all, I guess its back to the drawing board

 

[me & my baby]

Try the clear mesh lid BRS has a DIY kit