Par and photo period vs color

[805reeftank]

Wanted to get everyone’s opinion on my lighting schedule. My lights run from 8am to 9pm with a 30min ramp up to a 18k-20k with a par of 450-550 (4hrs peak) on my main rock where my sps are. Then to a blue spectrum for the remainder of the day 400-475 par with a 30 min ramp down. Growth isn’t a problem I’m after color. My color for the most part is descent but I know I can achieve richer/vibrant colors.

Should I increase or decrease par or lengthen or shorten intensity?

Temp 77-78
Alk 7.4-8
No3 15-20ppm
Po4 .06- .1
Cal 450
Mag 1350

 

[Hockeypunk1]

The color looks pretty great from what I can see.

 

[805reeftank]

The color looks pretty great from what I can see.

It’s good don’t get me wrong I just want to see if I can get it better.

 

[billyo2811]

Give it more whites

 

[805reeftank]

Give it more whites

In your opinion what do you think adding more white light is going to do?

 

[X-37B]

Nice!
Tank size, lights?

 

[Faurek]

Color looks good already, you could have whites for longer and feed more, but don't expect much more, maybe 1-5%. I believe you are searching for the actinic with orange filter type deal, the orange filter enhances the coloration, it won't be possible.

 

[SeaDweller]

In your opinion what do you think adding more white light is going to do?

Having a whiter/fuller spectrum will excite the pigments necessary to fluoresce and have that vibrancy when just blues are on.

 

[Faurek]

Having a whiter/fuller spectrum will excite the pigments necessary to fluoresce and have that vibrancy when just blues are on.

Well, it's more like it will make them stronger if you will, they are already there, but they need to become richer. Also increased par for longer could bring out detail colors you are not seeing, for example pink coralites on tenuis acros.

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

 

[805reeftank]

Color looks good already, you could have whites for longer and feed more, but don't expect much more, maybe 1-5%. I believe you are searching for the actinic with orange filter type deal, the orange filter enhances the coloration, it won't be possible.

The colors look like this in person. But I know there’s more I can pull the main one I’m thinking off is the voodoo majick in the back left. As for feeding more don’t think that will have much effect my nutrients are in range. And for whites don’t think spectrums really matter for pulling color. Have you seen Jason fox’s colors? He only runs blues. I think it’s going to be either more light intensity or less. Maybe trace elements?

 

[805reeftank]

Having a whiter/fuller spectrum will excite the pigments necessary to fluoresce and have that vibrancy when just blues are on.

Don’t think color spectrum really matters. Have you seen Jason fox’s colors? He run only blues. I thank it’s going to be either more light intensity or less. Maybe trace elements?

 

[Faurek]

Jason fox runs blue t5s that are inherently different from blue LED's, he uses the actinic blues. In some tanks he mixes pinks, I think 2 of them and in the big one he runs 4 hours of metal halides, so no it's not all blue and even his blues have more then blue.

This is his favourite lamp, it's way more complete then the blue band on most expensive led fixtures and it has some green, yellow and I can see amber, amber helps chromoproteins. While from 400 to 500 it supports photosynthesis and fluorescent protein excitation. Not to be rude but his blues are better then yours. And since we are talking about coloring up to the fullest, yes it is arguably better.

 

[805reeftank]

Jason fox runs blue t5s that are inherently different from blue LED's, he uses the actinic blues. In some tanks he mixes pinks, I think 2 of them and in the big one he runs 4 hours of metal halides, so no it's not all blue and even his blues have more then blue.

This is his favourite lamp, it's way more complete then the blue band on most expensive led fixtures and it has some green, yellow and I can see amber, amber helps chromoproteins. While from 400 to 500 it supports photosynthesis and fluorescent protein excitation. Not to be rude but his blues are better then yours. And since we are talking about coloring up to the fullest, yes it is arguably better.

Go to 4:45 he only uses LEDs now

 

[MrGisonni]

It may be the UV near 429 nm in true actinic T5's that make the most impact on coloration in some corals. Most LEDs just can't pump out adequate amounts of this spectrum.

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

Go to 4:45 he only uses LEDs now

I believe that’s only for that particular tank.

 

[805reeftank]

I believe that’s only for that particular tank.

Point being do you see his colors? I don’t believe white spectrum matters. And he has the same lights over all the tanks in video.

 

[SeaDweller]

Point being do you see his colors? White spectrum doesn’t matter. And he has the same lights over all the tanks in video.

So why don’t you just copy what he does if you want to get the colors he gets? Don’t ask R2R, ask him directly.

 

[805reeftank]

So why don’t you just copy what he does if you want to get the colors he gets? Don’t ask R2R, ask him directly.

Do you not know how discussions work? I’m asking what people think and there experiences. You’re not R2R it’s a community If you don’t want to participate you don’t have to reply.

 

[SeaDweller]

Do you not know how discussions work? I’m asking what people think and there experiences. You’re not R2R it’s a community If you don’t want to participate you don’t have to reply

Cool story.