Lighting help...

[Darron]

How do I figure out if I’m needing more light? My display tank is 60”x18”x24” for a calculation of 112 gallon display. My lights are 10” above water level and 30” from the top of my sand bed. I have 2 AI Hydra 26HDs. Just changed to AB+ lighting schedule hoping to see a difference.

My LFS has said my water parameters are good but corals just don’t want to open fully. Torches look good but zoas have been difficult to keep. Just trying to figure out what could be the cause of zoas and other miscellaneous corals from not thriving.

Thinking of getting 1 more 26HD but want to ask just to see if everyone thinks that’s really needed. I’m thinking my lighting is just spread out just a tad too far to get good enough coverage for the tank...

water parameter:

Alk- 8.5
Cal- 450
Mag - 1430
Phosphate- 0.03
Nitrate 20-30

 

[Admann]

Brs recommends 2 for a 48" tank. I would get another at least for your tank. It will probably be the new 32HD, I think it replaced the 26

 

[piranhaman00]

Another 26/32HD will definitely help.

Im wondering how often you are changing your lights because your corals are not opening. You shouldn't mess with the lights after they are set. Since you already did just leave it, but the corals are not gonna be happy for a while.

 

[Darron]

I’ve only changed to the BRS AB+ references schedule 2 days ago. My LFS had said it might be due to the lack of lighting that the 26HD basically cover a 2x2 square area...

 

[Scott B.]

I have a 120g tank. 72 x 18 x 24. I use 4 light ( AI Hydra 26HD ) but mine are in a canopy and also about 10" from the water surface. I run my UV, VIOLET, ROYAL BLUE, BLUE, GREEN, RED, COOL WHITES AT 50,60,60,60,0,0,7 respectively. They are on a schedule starting at 7:30am ramp to 22,23,30,30,0,0,0 at 8am. then ramp up 10am @ 50,60,60,60,0,0,7. at 12noon i ramp up to 50,62,62,62,2,0,13. ramp down starts at 5pm - 7pm. 20,20,25,25,0,0,0, then a twighlight ramp down to only blues @ 8pm to 0,0,20,20,0,0,0 , then another ramp down on the blues to night time between 9-10pm @ 0,0,5,5,0,0,0 My corals seem to like it