First corals - What light settings do you recommend?

[eti]

Hi guys,

I am putting my first zoas corals from zoanthids.com on Wednesday and I would like to get your advices to make sure they have the best chance of survival, as these are not cheap :)
Settings on my Hydra HD 26: AB+ spectrum (attached)
I am really afraid that I am going to fry the zoas with these settings as they sound super high to me (intensity on some light more than 100%)
Should I lower the setting of 50% or use the AI app acclimation mode (for how long?)

My tank parameters:
Tank: Red Sea E 260, set up on January 1st 2020
Red Sea skimmer
Rox X Carbon from BRS
Purigen bag
Alk: 8.8
Ca: 425
Mg: 1425
Nitrate: 10-15
Po4: .04
Salinity: 1.025
Ammo/Nitrites: 0
Temp: 78 F (controlled by Apex)
Flow:
Jebao CP-120 (a lowest setting as it is super strong)
SS6 Supersilent Wavemaker (1585 GPH) Skimz

50 Lbs of dry rock (some corraline is starting to grow)
ATO with RO/DI water only
Pics attached, thank you for all your help!!

 

[lapin]

Always play on the safe side. Acclimation mode, and see how they react?

 

[eti]

Thank you! How long should the acclimation mode be for?

 

[Phil D.]

Do it for 3 weeks. I'm running my Hydra 26 HDs at 65% UV, 68% Blues, 3% Red & Green and 5% Whites. Have good coloration and growth.

 

[lapin]

+1 above
Your corals will tell you. If you up it too fast then they will not open. Too little and they might not open either. Each tank and coral is different. Coral placement in the tank and how high the light is, all effect things.

 

[eti]

Do it for 3 weeks. I'm running my Hydra 26 HDs at 65% UV, 68% Blues, 3% Red & Green and 5% Whites. Have good coloration and growth.

Thanks! Only 5% white? I just watched the BRS episode about the setting and they say to put your whites at 30%. What do you think? Would it be too high? You seem to have great results though, congrats

 

[Phil D.]

Sorry for the late reply, I have it that low because it looks more close to light at a 40-60 foot depth. I have 300 dives in the tropics under my belt, Guam -Saipan - Truk lagoon and the Philippines.

 

[eti]

Sorry for the late reply, I have it that low because it looks more close to light at a 40-60 foot depth. I have 300 dives in the tropics under my belt, Guam -Saipan - Truk lagoon and the Philippines.

Nice, I would love to dive but I’m a terrible swimmer...
Do you mind telling me how long do you keep your lights on and what is your ramp time? Thanks for your help!!

 

[Phil D.]

I have them on 12 hours but have the blues ramp up and down 1 hour before and after. So have full spectrum on for 10 hours.

 

[eti]

I have them on 12 hours but have the blues ramp up and down 1 hour before and after. So have full spectrum on for 10 hours.

Thanks a lot!

 

[Phil D.]

Always glad to help a fellow reefer