Low par im shocked.

[Notsolostfish]

My tanks’s dimension is 60.5" × 25.3" × 22.6" and i was testing par randomly today, and it was awfully low, my lps was getting 90-110. Bottom sand level 50-70. Middle of the tank is like 80. Im using xr30 g6 2 of them. My torches are getting 90 par max 98. Im using the sq-500. Bluetooth apogee to measure par.

Im using 50% ab+ profile. 12-9. 30 min ramp up and down. Do i add a third radion i have laying around xr30 g5 blue. Or do i increase intensity what are my options!

 

[Justdrew]

G6 has really low par because they increased the spread of the light. I just changed my G6 to the high intensity lenses so they are more like my G4's now.

I have a 40B with 2 G4 XR15 and 1 G6 XR15. They are all running AB+ at 85%. I also have a 250 watt MH for daylight peak that runs for a couple hours a day.

 

[Amybolton2]

I believe I’m running 70% on mine, (G6’s)
On a waterbox frag (48.2 x 25 x 16)

So my depth is less than yours.
This is my par map.

But like you.. I had the percent low because somebody said you don’t need them on high.. then I checked my par and my readings were super low.
I just upped my percent, but tbh I didn’t really want to drop more money for another light haha

As you can see I could have upped my percent even more to be honest, but I don’t have a need for crazy high par so I didn’t

 

[edsbeaker]

I’m not surprised at all. I have gen 6 also. Very disappointed in par. I’m running at 75% intensity for softies and LPS.
Your only choices are ramp up the intensity, lower the fixtures, add a third fixture.
Looking at your photo, I would also try turning the fixtures lengthwise. I don’t think you could possibly be getting enough spread to cover 5’ with only 2 fixtures mounted in that direction.

It seems Ecotech took a step backwards with the G6 fixtures.

 

[Liquid361]

I’m setting my tank now. I bought 5 XR30 G6, only 3 are here now, and I bought 3 Kessil A500’s because I love the shimmer. 2 lights seems awfully low to me. Try those high intensity lenses. They are only $25/per

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/xr30-high-intensity-radion-lens-kit-xr632-ecotech-marine/

 

[Notsolostfish]

I’m not surprised at all. I have gen 6 also. Very disappointed in par. I’m running at 75% intensity for softies and LPS.
Your only choices are ramp up the intensity, lower the fixtures, add a third fixture.
Looking at your photo, I would also try turning the fixtures lengthwise. I don’t think you could possibly be getting enough spread to cover 5’ with only 2 fixtures mounted in that direction.

It seems Ecotech took a step backwards with the G6 fixtures.

I have a g5 xr30 blue laying around. I can use that. I also can up my intensity

 

[edsbeaker]

That will probably help a lot. Just remember that the G5 may be stronger and therefore need lower intensity than the G6’s.

 

[Lavey29]

Radion lights are just weak par lights. I run mine at 100% intensity just to get usable par in a mixed reef tank.

 

[Liquid361]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/have-a-look-at-my-par-readings-radion-g6-xr30-pro-for-sps.981988/

 

[Notsolostfish]

That will probably help a lot. Just remember that the G5 may be stronger and therefore need lower intensity than the G6’s.

Im genuinely not sure what to do. Increase the current intensity, or add the third radion, and increased the intensity? Not sure what do i do 1% a day?

 

[edsbeaker]

Im genuinely not sure what to do. Increase the current intensity, or add the third radion, and increased the intensity? Not sure what do i do 1% a day?

I just watched all of your video really concentrating on the condition of your corals. They seem SO happy! Maybe you are just overthinking this because you saw the true numbers? Could it be that the corals like the intensity as it is?
Have these two radions been over the tank for awhile or are they a new addition to the tank? If they have been there for a long time, I really question whether you should do anything at all.

Beautiful tank, BTW!

 

[Notsolostfish]

I just watched all of your video really looking at your corals. They seem SO happy! Maybe you are just overthinking this because you saw the true numbers? Could it be that the corals like the intensity as it is?
Have these two radions been over the tank for awhile or are they a new addition to the tank? If they have been there for a long time, I really question whether you should do anything at all.

Beautiful tank, BTW!

Thank you!!. I appreciate that. No those radions been there forever, but iv been experiencing corals death, randomly. Receding, not extending etc.. and my nutrients are high as well 16 nitrate 0.36 phosphate. I wonder if my corals starving because of the lights. Something doesnt sit right witn my having a duncan or torch at 80 par.

 

[Lavey29]

Im genuinely not sure what to do. Increase the current intensity, or add the third radion, and increased the intensity? Not sure what do i do 1% a day?

When I increased from 70% to 100% I went up 1% per day.

 

[Lavey29]

Thank you!!. I appreciate that. No those radions been there forever, but iv been experiencing corals death, randomly. Receding, not extending etc.. and my nutrients are high as well 16 nitrate 0.36 phosphate. I wonder if my corals starving because of the lights. Something doesnt sit right witn my having a duncan or torch at 80 par.

Those aren't high nutrients

 

[edsbeaker]

Thank you!!. I appreciate that. No those radions been there forever, but iv been experiencing corals death, randomly. Receding, not extending etc.. and my nutrients are high as well 16 nitrate 0.36 phosphate. I wonder if my corals starving because of the lights. Something doesnt sit right witn my having a duncan or torch at 80 par.

I’m no expert, but to me your corals look like they are really happy. So many people push the par bit, but reality is that corals, especially LPS and softies can adapt to a wide range of intensity. If you are really concerned they aren’t getting enough, what I would do is just stick with the two fixtures right now, and very, VERY slowly increase the intensity maybe 1% every two to three days until you get to 75%, and then revisit how you think they are doing.

Maybe take some video while you are doing this since it will be hard to remember how they looked at each stage. I am at 75% intensity on my 170 Gallon. It pretty much has the same footprint as your tank and I have 3 XR15s over mine. They are mounted 9” above the water, and it seems to be a good amount of light.


Honestly, though, I still think the spread would improve for the width of your tank if you turned the fixtures! My XR15s can handle the spread from front to back (30”) with no problem.