Lighting settings. Advice request

[Fastball16]

Have a unit over my 90 DT (48w,24H,20d) set at 8.5" above water surface (transmitting thru glass canopy) emitters skewed to 7.5" back from front of tank. Mixed reef, leathers high, hammer middle depth; zoa, duncan, favia, hollywood stunner bottom.

Have had decent growth over the past 2 years (tank cycled July 2018).

Question is: does anyone have an example program they've had success with? Mine looks like this: Lights on at 10am (10%), 11:30(35%), 2pm (50%), 4pm (50%), 6:30(35%), 8pm(10%), off at 10pm

Thanks in advance for all and any suggestions!

 

[Dkmoo]

Sry not familiar with that model

A PAR meter will give you the best information on if an adj is necessary bc honestly everyone's tank is different in terms of coral stocking, shades/reflections off the rock work, ambient light, etc that what whats for others may not work for you.

In addition to intensity, spectrum is also important - not sure if this light can adjust spectrums but at least it looks blue enough. Something like a seneye is relatively affordable and can give you both PAR and spectrum

The only thing I can think of for your light is the spread currently in there. Not sure if its intentional but there's a definite spotlight effect here. If that is unintentional, you can actually raise the light higher to have more even spread and increase intensity to offset the longer distance.

Based on your stocking, it doesn't look like you have a lot of "picky" light requirement corals so if they have been happy then its likely fine. If yiu want to boost growth maybe other areas can give you a bigger impact (ie, ph, nutrition, other water params)

 

[Jekyl]

What light are you using? Going to get some reflection from the glass top on your light also. I run my kessil a360's in a similar curve but I hit 75% for 5 hours at peak with no top.

 

[Fastball16]

kessil ap700

 

[Fastball16]

Sry not familiar with that model

A PAR meter will give you the best information on if an adj is necessary bc honestly everyone's tank is different in terms of coral stocking, shades/reflections off the rock work, ambient light, etc that what whats for others may not work for you.

In addition to intensity, spectrum is also important - not sure if this light can adjust spectrums but at least it looks blue enough. Something like a seneye is relatively affordable and can give you both PAR and spectrum

The only thing I can think of for your light is the spread currently in there. Not sure if its intentional but there's a definite spotlight effect here. If that is unintentional, you can actually raise the light higher to have more even spread and increase intensity to offset the longer distance.

Based on your stocking, it doesn't look like you have a lot of "picky" light requirement corals so if they have been happy then its likely fine. If yiu want to boost growth maybe other areas can give you a bigger impact (ie, ph, nutrition, other water params)

Was a bit lower for 2 reasons. Due to my rock design I dont have a lot of real estate for less light demanding corals so this gives the sides a bit less par. and also My stand is tall (aesthetics to win Wife approval) top of tank is 5' from floor and the light much higher basically becomes a lamp.

 

[Fastball16]

What light are you using? Going to get some reflection from the glass top on your light also. I run my kessil a360's in a similar curve but I hit 75% for 5 hours at peak with no top.

I like the lid to keep any jumers in, and to cut down on evaporation. I lose about 2 gal/wk in the winter(heat), 1 gal summer (a/c). thats with a 15 gal sump in stand.

What is the school of thought on lids. Should I 86 it?

 

[Uncle99]

I would change nothing in that beautiful tank.
Especially lighting, your likely to make things unhappy.
Obviously, you have things right.

 

[Fastball16]

I would change nothing in that beautiful tank.
Especially lighting, your likely to make things unhappy.
Obviously, you have things right.

Thank you. I appreciate the kind words. Still feel a bit like a newbie and always looking for a way to increase coloration and growth.

 

[Jekyl]

I like the lid to keep any jumers in, and to cut down on evaporation. I lose about 2 gal/wk in the winter(heat), 1 gal summer (a/c). thats with a 15 gal sump in stand.

What is the school of thought on lids. Should I 86 it?

You could always replace with egg crate. Cheap, effective and open to lights

 

[Uncle99]

Thank you. I appreciate the kind words. Still feel a bit like a newbie and always looking for a way to increase coloration and growth.

Resist, resist.....when you get to where you are....change nothing......stability....stability......that’s the best upgrade.

 

[Fastball16]

You could always replace with egg crate. Cheap, effective and open to lights

Will check it out. Thank you!

 

[Fastball16]

Black is avail on amazon.

Chrome is an option too. Thoughts?