PAR Ranges for trouble shooting

[Bakki]

Hi all,

I was wondering what people’s experiences are in terms of PAR ranges where if youre trouble shooting for an acro that isnt growing, you can eliminate over- or underlighting as a cause. So not necessarily the range for optimal colouration. I am looking for ranges assuming LED lighting.

If you think its relevant, please specify the difference between low, medium or high light acros.

Thanks!

 

[Troylee]

Anything can and will adapt over time.. I can’t give you numbers cause every acro is different! What I can tell you is if it’s lightning up or turning pale “bleached” it’s to much light and if it’s browning out it’s prolly not enough light.

 

[REEFRIED!]

I agree that it is hard to really figure out. I have a few frags, and larger that have beautiful color, so one would assume it’s the perfect lighting conditions or par. However they just don’t grow. I’ve had some do nothing for 8 months, not even encrust then just go on a crazy growth spurt.

Also I agree that for ages we typically would say that if a coral turns white it’s too much light, and brown or darker it’s not enough. But recently I have had two separate frags I bought placed in a spot they did not like. They both turned brown. One had orange polyps and they turned yellow/brown. I moved that one lower in the tank to about 100 less par and the color came back, it gets better looking every day.

 

[DenverSaltyFarm]

In my case, high nutrients with lower par say below 300 my sps didnt do much and colors turned dark or green. im now at 500 par to half my tank and the other half 400 ish par with growth picking up and colors looking great. I think with high par high nutrients is also key just from my observation.