After all these years I was finally able to get some actual PAR readings on my tank. The results were quite low.
I am running 8x 80w T5 (ATI sunpower) and 3x Radion Pro gen.2. The readings were taken with my old bulbs which are about to be replaced and the Radions at approximately 30%. They do ramp up higher for part of the day, but the coral below is all the way on the bottom glass at 27" depth.
The PAR on this coral is ~160 for most of the day.
It will likely jump up a little for a few hours during the brightest part of the schedule, and likely a little more when the fresh bulbs go in, but I believe on average this coral gets 150-200.
I wanted to share because I feel that I am getting considerable growth at a PAR level well below what is promoted in many SPS PAR discussions.
This isn't a discussion on the "value" of higher PAR, because I definitely have some acros that "need" more.
The point is that you may need less than you think for many acros and still have excellent color AND growth.
Thoughts? Comments?
Thanks guys!
Ed
(Pics Jan 2018, July 2018, Jan 2019) - note: encrustation was popped off and moved to my new tank also on the bottom glass with substantially similar lighting on April 8th, 2018.
I am running 8x 80w T5 (ATI sunpower) and 3x Radion Pro gen.2. The readings were taken with my old bulbs which are about to be replaced and the Radions at approximately 30%. They do ramp up higher for part of the day, but the coral below is all the way on the bottom glass at 27" depth.
The PAR on this coral is ~160 for most of the day.
It will likely jump up a little for a few hours during the brightest part of the schedule, and likely a little more when the fresh bulbs go in, but I believe on average this coral gets 150-200.
I wanted to share because I feel that I am getting considerable growth at a PAR level well below what is promoted in many SPS PAR discussions.
This isn't a discussion on the "value" of higher PAR, because I definitely have some acros that "need" more.
The point is that you may need less than you think for many acros and still have excellent color AND growth.
Thoughts? Comments?
Thanks guys!
Ed
(Pics Jan 2018, July 2018, Jan 2019) - note: encrustation was popped off and moved to my new tank also on the bottom glass with substantially similar lighting on April 8th, 2018.