Do I Need To Change My Light Settings?

[mfrumkin]

I have a 180gl mixed reef that is primarily leathers, mushrooms, zoa, acans, favia, favites and some Xenia . For the 1st time in about 3 years, I am going to put some Acro frags in the tank. My current lights are 4 Radion XR 30W. They are set at a somewhat modified version of the coral labs LPS settings, I ramp up a little longer and ramp down a little longer. The intensity is 60% with the 2 blues at 100%, the white at 15%, the green at 20% and the red at 25% at the highest. This results in an intensity of 34% between 9:15 am to 6:30 pm.

Will this be sufficient light for Acros if I put them at the top of the tank? Do I need to bump up the white for a period of time and if so how long? I am only getting 4 frags, but if these survive I want to get more. Chemistry is not an issue. The tank is mature and well maintained and I rarely have any big or small swings in the last 3 years.

 

[P-Dub]

I have a 180gl mixed reef that is primarily leathers, mushrooms, zoa, acans, favia, favites and some Xenia . For the 1st time in about 3 years, I am going to put some Acro frags in the tank. My current lights are 4 Radion XR 30W. They are set at a somewhat modified version of the coral labs LPS settings, I ramp up a little longer and ramp down a little longer. The intensity is 60% with the 2 blues at 100%, the white at 15%, the green at 20% and the red at 25% at the highest. This results in an intensity of 34% between 9:15 am to 6:30 pm.

Will this be sufficient light for Acros if I put them at the top of the tank? Do I need to bump up the white for a period of time and if so how long? I am only getting 4 frags, but if these survive I want to get more. Chemistry is not an issue. The tank is mature and well maintained and I rarely have any big or small swings in the last 3 years.

I think survival will not be a concern, the coloring of the corals, on the other hand, may be an issue. Place and monitor. Adjust light as needed/desired.

 

[jda]

Do you have a light meter? It is the only thing that can really tell you. 34% seems low, but this is just a guess... but that is all that anybody will be doing.