Need Advice on LIGHT INTENSITY for Radion Pro's over a NanoTank

[Brian Goldstein]

Hey Reefers-

I currently have an XR-30 Gen4 pro over my 25 gallon lagoon (mixed reef). I am using the RMS mount, which puts the fixture at about 8.5 inches above the water line.

My tank dimensions are : (24" x 20" x 12")

I have been using a modified SPS AB+ template at 30% maximum intensity. I have turned down whites, reds, and green slightly. The intensity on the actual graph is reading out at 24% maximum intensity.

My main question is: what % intensity would you recommend for these lights? I can't really tell if its too much or too little at the moment, but it does seem like my corals were more colorful under 25% intensity (21% intensity on graph). Ive used the Aquatic Log calculator, but it doesn't seem very accurate with the Gen4 pros.


Thanks so much,


-BG

 

[ndrwater]

That's one heck of a light on a 25!!!
Here's how I look at things... Look at your corals, are they happy? Thriving?
Personally, I run mine at 85% 12" off the water. It's an SPS dominated tank that is well established. I took about 6 months to get to that intensity using the acclimate mode on my Reeflink.
Anything beyond that and my corals get unhappy. Whatever you end up with, get there slowly. There really isn't a hard and fast rule as to what intensity as all tanks are different.
Color, growth, polyp extension, etc are all good indicators as to the health of your corals

 

[Brian Goldstein]

Thank you for the response!

I plan on upgrading in a year or so but yeah, you're right haha; its a bit overkill. It's nice keeping the light running at low power/less heat output.

There is a lot of mixed information out there... some people say to never go past 75% intensity, others run them at 100%. So you're right in the sense that there really is no ideal %.. I'll have to make small adjustments and keep a close eye on my coral!

Thanks again,

BG

 

[John3]

I run a XR15 over my 29g biocube. It’s on a standard radion mount. I run the AB+ at 70%. Pics below should give you an idea of what corals are growing where for me.

 

[Brian Goldstein]

I run a XR15 over my 29g biocube. It’s on a standard radion mount. I run the AB+ at 70%. Pics below should give you an idea of what corals are growing where for me.

coloration looks great. Is that 70% intensity on the adjustable dial? or 70% on the actual graph? Do you run whites, greens, reds? That seems really blue for AB+


Thanks!

BG

 

[John3]

I just took the pic and my lighting in winding down to a very blue stage before lights out.

I’m running 70% total intensity. All the blue/violet/uv are 100%. Red green and white are like 25%. You can actually see the pucks reflection in the pic. It’s been some time now since I have even looked at the schedule. I guess it’s been set this way for 8 months now.

 

[Brian Goldstein]

I just took the pic and my lighting in winding down to a very blue stage before lights out.

I’m running 70% total intensity. All the blue/violet/uv are 100%. Red green and white are like 25%. It’s been some time now since I have even looked at the schedule. I guess it’s been set this way for 8 months now.

Thanks very much!

 

[Jrainey312]

How do you like the radion on the lagoon? I have a nuvo 20 and use a ai prime and made a bracket to hold 2 t5 bulbs. I'm looking to upgrade to just leds for a cleaner look. I'm in between getting a xr30w or just adding another prime hd. Any information would be appreciated

 

[Amoo]

As somebody who currently has a lagoon style tank, 48x24x12 and is upgrading to a 48x24x20 I will say mounting height is just as if not more important for a lagoon style setup then with "regular" tanks.

If you look at any of the graphs or videos from BRS look at how bad the hot spots and peaks are at 6" below the water line. That's what we're dealing with when you're dealing with a lagoon and then add sand/rock...etc. From my experience the higher you can stand to mount them the better the color mixing will be when it hits the shallow water and the less likely you are to have significant hot spots. So the high end powerful fixtures can work on lagoon style tanks/frag tanks, but IMO they work MUCH better the higher you can mount the lights.