Light intensity for 4 - AI prime 16HD over 4’ 55g mixed reef tank

[joshlee2]

Hello, I have just added 2 more AI prime 16HD to my 4’ 55 gallon mixed reef tank. So in total 4. I’m just curious if I can keep my current light setting when I was using just the 2? And if not then what light intensities should I run them at? My light settings are attached.
Thank you!

 

[blaxsun]

Yes, you should just have better coverage with the 4 now. The best way to check your new light levels is with a PAR meter.

 

[joshlee2]

Yes, you should just have better coverage with the 4 now. The best way to check your new light levels is with a PAR meter.

 

[joshlee2]

I do not have a par meter at this moment.. what do you think I should turn the intensities down too? It has 10 days left of the 30 day acclimation.

 

[blaxsun]

I do not have a par meter at this moment.. what do you think I should turn the intensities down too? It has 10 days left of the 30 day acclimation.

Well, since you're looking for a number I'd maybe adjust it down 10-15% (but again, without a PAR meter it's impossible to know for sure).

 

[MaxTremors]

Hello, I have just added 2 more AI prime 16HD to my 4’ 55 gallon mixed reef tank. So in total 4. I’m just curious if I can keep my current light setting when I was using just the 2? And if not then what light intensities should I run them at? My light settings are attached.
Thank you!

I wouldn’t overdrive any of the channels, it will just shorten their lifespan, potentially burn the lenses, and it doesn’t really provide that much benefit. For a mixed reef I would increase B and RB to 95, lower V and UV to 70 or 80, and keep R, G, and W where they are. I would then put them on acclimation mode for 30 days starting at 50% intensity. By lowering the intensity a little bit and adding the two extra lights, starting at 50% will keep the intensity roughly similar to what your corals are used to and then over 30 days they’ll slowly ramp up to the higher intensity.

 

[joshlee2]

I wouldn’t overdrive any of the channels, it will just shorten their lifespan, potentially burn the lenses, and it doesn’t really provide that much benefit. For a mixed reef I would increase B and RB to 95, lower V and UV to 70 or 80, and keep R, G, and W where they are. I would then put them on acclimation mode for 30 days starting at 50% intensity. By lowering the intensity a little bit and adding the two extra lights, starting at 50% will keep the intensity roughly similar to what your corals are used to and then over 30 days they’ll slowly ramp up to the higher intensity.

Alright, I’ll try that out. Thank you!