Enough PAR?

FishyDP · Feb 3, 2019

So I am trying to decide on a new tank, I am stuck between a 125g and a 150g. Both 6 foot, 18" wide. The 125 is 22" tall, and the 150 is 27" tall. I like the viewing panel on the 150 alot more, as it looks like a much bigger tank. My only concern with a 27" tall tank is PAR at the bottom of the tank. I would like to keep a lot of zoos and some acans towards the bottom of the tank, and leave the middle and upper portions of the tank for higher light demand corals. My lighting will be a 4 bulb T5 fixture over the length of the tank, supplemented with 3x hipargero/aqua knight LEDs. Do you think this lighting setup will provide sufficient PAR to keep and grow zoos and acans at the bottom of a 27" tall tank? Lights will be mounted 4-6" inches above water, inside a canopy.

tupes · Feb 3, 2019

Not familiar with those LEDs but I'm sure with the t5 supplement you should be good.

I think zoas could grow under a desk lamp.

lapin · Feb 3, 2019

Here is a review with par readings

FishyDP · Feb 3, 2019

Great, this video helps a lot to answer my question. I will have my whites on these LEDs dialed down about halfway, blues at 100%. If I go with the 27" deep tank my guess would be about 50 par on the bottom. With the t5s maybe a total of 150ish par at the bottom would be my guess. I am thinking I will be good there for zoa/acan type corals..