LED lights - what percentage

[dcom]

Hi guys,
I have a SB reef (box) on my reef tank and I have been increasing its intensity every week, little by little.
I know there shouldnt be at 100% but dont really know how high I should keep going.
They are ~6 inch above water level and currently at ~40% for both the blue and the whites.
Any experience with these or other LEDs?
Thanks

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

How deep is your tank?
And do you have high rock structures?

40% is probably not a bad ballpark for most anything.

 

[dcom]

I do have high rocks.
Tank is 18inch total.
Highest rock is 11 inch

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

K. Mine is 14 in above the water and at 75%. Corals to the top clams on the bottom.

An inexpensive way to test is with a lux meter. Btw.

Every 6000 lux is approx 100 par.
A Lux meter is about $15 on amazon.

 

[dcom]

Thanks salty!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Thanks salty!

You bet!! I love those lights. Let me know if you need help.

 

[dcom]

K.
An inexpensive way to test is with a lux meter. Btw.
A Lux meter is about $15 on amazon.

Hey Salty,
I want to know where my numbers are and just ordered a Lux meter!
May I ask what the recommended numbers are in your opinion?
I've found lots of contradictory info about readouts on LED fixtures.
Thanks

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Hey Salty,
I want to know where my numbers are and just ordered a Lux meter!
May I ask what the recommended numbers are in your opinion?
I've found lots of contradictory info about readouts on LED fixtures.
Thanks

I would meter them first. Then look for about 25,000 to 35000 lux.

I run that 35k for 8 hours a day. But I also have a very long ramp time.

If you don't have the ramp choose the 20k and you can probably go 10 12 hr. But watch the corals.

 

[dcom]

I would meter them first. Then look for about 25,000 to 35000 lux..

Thanks for your quick response man.
One more question.
35000lux at what level? Next to the LED ligths or at water level?
This is obviously not my area of expertise...

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Thanks for your quick response man.
One more question.
35000lux at what level? Next to the LED ligths or at water level?
This is obviously not my area of expertise...

Sorry. Right at the top of the water.

Like this.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lighting-upgrade-with-a-lux-meter-saltyfilmfolks.248417/

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Just keep acclimation in mind. Large adjustments like 200 or 300 par can be bleach stuff.

6000 lux is close to 100 par. And that's usually an ok adjustment.

 

[dcom]

Thanks Salty!
You are the man!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Thanks Salty!
You are the man!

You're welcome!

 

[dcom]

I would meter them first. Then look for about 25,000 to 35000 lux.
I run that 35k for 8 hours a day. But I also have a very long ramp time.

Hi Salty,
I did some measurements and it varies a lot.
Lux is about 400 at the center of the tank and as i move away to the corner it goes to 270, 150, 32 and 15.
Do you think that is ok?
Should I lowered it down cause is so high at the center?
Or should I increase it a bit cause is so low at the corners?

my tank is ~23 inch long.
My SB light box is about 16 inch long.
Box is at the center of the tank.

Thanks

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Hi Salty,
I did some measurements and it varies a lot.
Lux is about 400 at the center of the tank and as i move away to the corner it goes to 270, 150, 32 and 15.
Do you think that is ok?
Should I lowered down a bit cause is so high at the center?
Or should I increase a bit cause is so low at the corners?

my tank is ~23 inch long.
My SB light box is about 16 inch long.
Box is at the center of the tank.

Thanks

400?
Or 40,000?
There's an X 10 x100 function on the meter.

 

[dcom]

400?
Or 40,000?
There's an X 10 x100 function on the meter.

Sorry yeah, 40,000.
All my values x100

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Hi Salty,
I did some measurements and it varies a lot.
Lux is about 400 at the center of the tank and as i move away to the corner it goes to 270, 150, 32 and 15.
Do you think that is ok?
Should I lowered it down cause is so high at the center?
Or should I increase it a bit cause is so low at the corners?

my tank is ~23 inch long.
My SB light box is about 16 inch long.
Box is at the center of the tank.

Thanks

A little bit is quite likely the hot spot your metering.

Think about a flashlight hitting a table in front if you. It's brightest in the middle of the circle and less at the edges.
Raising the light makes the hot spot cover the area more evenly.

Some folks if they can't raise the light more , will remove some of the lenses or add a diffusion to the light.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Sorry yeah, 40,000.
All my values x100

It's probably fine, it is a lot of light.

I generally Reccomend about the 25,000 to 35000 mark. 35 on the very high end.

 

[dcom]

It's probably fine, it is a lot of light.

I generally Reccomend about the 25,000 to 35000 mark. 35 on the very high end.

OK thanks man !