Light spectrum help.

[Rising Star Reefs]

So, I have these A8 Pro 2 lights. Im getting 250 Par on the top rocks and 150 or so on the sand bed. The lights are roughly 8-10" above the water level. I've provided a picture of my spectrum. I feel like the blue and purple/UV channels should be closer to 100 as thats what I always see everyone else posting. If its a good idea, whats the best approach to raising just the spectrum but not intensity? I have plenty of room to raise the lighting system easily as well. I also own the Apogee PAR meter. Do i just adjust the spectrum weekly, test par, and raise the lights more above the water until the par roughly matches what it is now? Thanks for any feedback.

 

[Rocks reef]

How does the 'spectrum' look to you currently? Are you pleased with it? Set the spectrum to what you like, you don't have to change simple because "everyone" else is posting. I, for one, do not like a windex colored tank and there are plenty of other reefers that run a more white spectrum. Do what looks good to you my friend.

 

[Rising Star Reefs]

How does the 'spectrum' look to you currently? Are you pleased with it? Set the spectrum to what you like, you don't have to change simple because "everyone" else is posting. I, for one, do not like a windex colored tank and there are plenty of other reefers that run a more white spectrum. Do what looks good to you my friend.

But doesn't the intensity of the blue spectrum affect coral growth as its absorbed by the zooanthellae?

 

[Rocks reef]

To a degree yes, but there is more to it. It is really isn't the intensity of the spectrum either. Most corals in the trade are collected in less than 75-80 feet of water since that's about as far down as a diver can go on a single breath. Dana Riddle posted some data showing the light spectrum at various depths of the ocean, even at 75 feet there was more "spectrum" than what most use in their tanks. The big push for the ultra blue lighting is due to the how it makes the corals look. If you look at the spectrum of the sun, you will notice there is not that HUGE spike in the blue 'spectrum' you see in LEDs. Most LED companies focus on a range of about 400nm-450nm because yes, corals use that spectrum, but most of all, it gives that 'pop' most reefers want. However, corals also use green and red even down in the IR range. Yet, adding those colors to a LED light makes more of a white spectrum. Hence, most LEDs you can control the green/red channel separately.

 

[Isaac Alves]

My 3 cent question would be: what s are you keeping and where in the tank?

For Acropora there is a very recent great answer with spectrum samples from Leonardo’s Reef:



At the 15:16 point his answer starts. Really informative segment.

 

[Rising Star Reefs]

My 3 cent question would be: what s are you keeping and where in the tank?

For Acropora there is a very recent great answer with spectrum samples from Leonardo’s Reef:



At the 15:16 point his answer starts. Really informative segment.

I have almost 40 corals atm and plan on lots more. Half LPS and the other half are acros.

 

[Rocks reef]

My 3 cent question would be: what s are you keeping and where in the tank?

For Acropora there is a very recent great answer with spectrum samples from Leonardo’s Reef:



At the 15:16 point his answer starts. Really informative segment.

I really agree with his concepts, he also has some beautiful tanks and corals to back up what he says.