How to tell if...

[Mat1018]

How to tell if your leds are too bright? I have a mixed tank with 2 clams on the sand bed and an Acro that is colored great right off the sand bed. But my other sps corals don't have the best colors they seem faded even Zoas on the sand have a faded color but ones in the shadows look great. I think the lights are too close to the surface.

 

[Reeferdude56]

Though it's not the cheapest or super easy to get a hold of, a PAR meter will give you an accurate reading which can help you identify areas with high light which might be "too bright". Also I have the seneye system which shows me the wave length of my lights which really helps to tune them to the right wave length.

 

[Mat1018]

Yeah I've been looking around the Clearwater Fl area for a par meter to barrow no one seems to want to make a quick buck.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Lux meter. Measures intensity. It doesnt real intense blue well and you can OD on it.
free apps
Galactica luxmeter for Iphone
LUX Light Meter by Chrunchy Bytebox for android.
All around best most accurate is still a hand held Lux meter..$15 for cheap -$75 for a Miluakee on amazon

measure the amount of light at the top of the water. max youll want to see 50 to 80,000 lux. under 20,000 youll have problems depending on the depth of tank.

Best spectrum is another question as it vary from coral to coral based generally on depth.