Lighting Opinions

[Sinkers]

Alright guys,

So I'm interested in hearing some opinions here of what I should do. Setup is a Waterbox 25G with an AI Prime 16HD. I'm planning a mixed reef, so in future possibly having some of the lesser demanding sps situated at the top of the tank directly under the light. I know a single Prime isn't the best for SPS but thought maybe a couple could work in the highest PAR areas.

I have been cycling my tank with lights off. When it comes time to turn them on, I'm wondering if I should just put them at full power. Acclimate corals by placing them at the bottom outer edges slowly moving up into their final positions.

Everything I'm reading or watching is saying it's best to set your lights up and leave them, as coral likes stability.

How did you guys go starting out with changing lighting? Is there anything wrong with doing this, set and forget?

 

[Cali Reef Life]

Depends on what you got in the tank. To avoid alage you always start them off lower and each month bring them up by 5-10% desired levels. I think its more on people messing with the spectrum.

So find the color modes you like and just equally adjust for power.

Some people change them weekly or daily. Slower transitions shouldnt be an issue in my opinion.

 

[Sinkers]

Depends on what you got in the tank. To avoid alage you always start them off lower and each month bring them up by 5-10% desired levels. I think its more on people messing with the spectrum.

So find the color modes you like and just equally adjust for power.

Some people change them weekly or daily. Slower transitions shouldnt be an issue in my opinion.

Yeh ok. What percentage would you start at for something like Acans or Zoa's?

 

[Cali Reef Life]

Depends on how high it is off the tank. I looked at semper reefs post and he had these results on a 20 gallon 10 inches above. I would start with 25% lower and adjust as needed.

 

[Sinkers]

Depends on how high it is off the tank. I looked at semper reefs post and he had these results on a 20 gallon 10 inches above. I would start with 25% lower and adjust as needed.

That's not bad. He's not even at 100%, so could probably get some SPS in at the higher parts of the rock.

 

[dedragon]

Just be careful with the uv channel ive seen too many burnt out when running higher percentage

 

[Sinkers]

Just be careful with the uv channel ive seen too many burnt out when running higher percentage

Ok, whats the max you'd go to on uv?

 

[dedragon]

idk havent run the primes due to that issue in particular. Its so popular though so im sure someone on here knows

 

[X-37B]

I ran 2 16hds on my 18" nano cube. First 4 channels 100% the rest 50%. More than enough light to grow any sps you want top to bottom.

 

[Jaden9933]

i have three tanks, and four kessil lights. 6-8” off the surface of the water, and 100% power for 12 hours a day. i used to ramp lights up and down in the beginning and end of the day, but i’ve found more success with keeping it consistent. i have a mixed reef and everything is happy and growing like crazy. most people run lights at 50% or less, but i’ve always maxed mine out

 

[dedragon]

most people run lights at 50% or less, but i’ve always maxed mine out

kessils dont put out that much par per unit unless using the narrow lens (kessil still best shimmer in the led game though and are great lights). It makes sense to use them at 100% but ai primes are different because the uv lens can burn out when ran too high