Increasing Light Intensity on SPS tank

[RFred77]

Hey Y'all, i have a 70 gallon heavy SPS tank and I want to increase my light intensity to get more PAR. My PAR is currently around 270 and I want to raise it to somewhere In The 400 - 460 range. I have a dimmable 8 built t5 fixture that is running at 66 percent. How would you guys recommend increasing the intensity on the light? I don't want this to hurt the SPS so what is the least stressful way of increasing light intensity? Thanks!!

 

[cjd]

Where is the 270 par ? at the sand bed? at the top?

 

[RFred77]

Where is the 270 par ? at the sand bed? at the top?

My 270 is the middle top of my aquascape.

 

[RFred77]

Where is the 270 par ? at the sand bed? at the top?

My 270 is the middle top of my aquascape.

 

[cjd]

Easiest answer to your question , not knowing what you used to measure your par and why just the top middle since the par will vary some left , right , front back , would be to increase 3- 5 % weekly and watch how corals respond . If they respond well, leave it for a week or longer, if they don't extend polyps or just look unhappy dial back down some and let them adjust a little longer. Take your time to adjust to brighter conditions. Coral can bleach pretty fast . Lower par does less harm than to much. In my experience corals that lose color fast have too much light and corals lose color over a period of time have too little. Also take into consideration what you are trying to keep . keeping more light loving things higher up in the tank .