New to Reef, Help in coral placements please

excell007 · Oct 19, 2020

I am trying to convert a 15YO fowlr to reef and got my first corals 2.5 weeks ago. They stayed in a rack for a couple of weeks, 3 days ago I positioned them on the rocks and I am not sure if I put them on the right spot. I have 3 return nozzles from the sump and 2 powerheads on opposite side of the tank. They seem to be OK (especially now that the damsels were relocated to another tank). Among the 6 corals, looks like the Goniopora is the one who can benefit on a different location, the Duncan and Zoe looks fine but seems to be over reaching. Attached are pictures of how they look like this morning and where they are on the tank. I am trying to reserve the top ledges for future SPS. Any advice on correct location is really appreciated.

T-J · Oct 19, 2020

Goni and Duncan's should be lower. Mine are on sandbed.
Honestly though, without knowing your PAR numbers, it's hard to tell exactly where to place them. We read all that time that this coral should be low in the tank, or that coral should be high in the tank. What really matters is how much PAR they are getting (flow as well). If I wanted to, I could crank my lights and put SPS "Low" in my tank.
I'd suggest renting, borrowing or purchasing (Seneye is budget way) a PAR meter.

excell007 · Oct 19, 2020

T-J said:
Goni and Duncan's should be lower. Mine are on sandbed.
Honestly though, without knowing your PAR numbers, it's hard to tell exactly where to place them. We read all that time that this coral should be low in the tank, or that coral should be high in the tank. What really matters is how much PAR they are getting (flow as well). If I wanted to, I could crank my lights and put SPS "Low" in my tank.
I'd suggest renting, borrowing or purchasing (Seneye is budget way) a PAR meter.

Intensity of the lights are only at 50%, I do have the narrow reflector though. I'll move the Goni lower and see if it will be happier. To answer your question about PAR, with the narrow beam reflector/intensity at 50%/mounted 9 inches above the water, it's about 240 in the center, I do not have waterproof meter so measurement is right above the water. BRS also tested the same light with the reflector and I think they got 256 on the center mounted at 13 inches above the water. thanks very much for your reply.