How to tell if you should turn lighting intensity up or down?

[TX_REEF]

Hello friends. I'm wondering if anyone has an experience or data related to when lighting intensity should be changed in a mixed reef. One reason for this question is broad and the other is specific, listed below. I use a single Kessil AP9x set at 55% peak for 11 hours a day, 11:30am to 10:30pm including 30 mins of ramp up and 30 mins of ramp down.

• Broad Reason: The growth of my favia, pagoda cup and cyphastrea seems slow
• Specific Reason: I have a new black widow BTA that has super plump from early afternoon until about 3pm when natural sunlight hits the tank from a window, and then deflates significantly (but does not close or look sick) around 5pm daily when the natural sunlight is no longer on it.

 

[Spare time]

What size is the tank?

 

[TX_REEF]

What size is the tank?

• Display Tank Dimensions - 47"L x 21"H x 20"W.
• Display Tank Volume - 72 Gallons.
• Total System Volume - 90 Gallons.
• Sump Volume - 18 Gallons.

 

[Spare time]

• Display Tank Dimensions - 47"L x 21"H x 20"W.
• Display Tank Volume - 72 Gallons.
• Total System Volume - 90 Gallons.
• Sump Volume - 18 Gallons.

I think you could turn it up. A par meter would help.

 

[TX_REEF]

I think you could turn it up. A par meter would help.

I have one but haven't measured since I re-scaped a few months ago, I'll take some readings and share.

 

[TX_REEF]

I think you could turn it up. A par meter would help.

 

[Spare time]

Oh wow that is pretty intense. TBH I would turn it down if you want faster growth in the area with 600 and 400-440.

 

[rtparty]

Raise it higher or add another light and then tune them. That will help eliminate the hot spots and get better numbers overall