Problems with lighting

[stE26wy14]

I have an 11.3 gal tank with a centerpiece rock, it’s 1 in the middle, I have a k7mini and I can never get the right lighting, I have experimented with SO MANY and every time, a issue pops up
I have acan, hammer, froggy, zoas, acro, stylo, Pocilipora, mushrooms, a mystery sps, think it’s a digita, and I think that’s it
Here is my lighting:

What should I change?
Idk my par, meters are too expensive

 

[Spare time]

Everytime you adjust it, youj wil irritate things. Stick with at most 50% total power with colors you like. A tank that small needs no more than 30w, if that.

PS you know you can rent par meters and don't have to buy them, right?

 

[Formulator]

Are you sure lighting is the problem? Can you describe what you mean when you say you tried many but an issue always pops up? Like you tried what and what issues?

If it is indeed a lighting problem, you won’t get far troubleshooting without a PAR meter. I agree they are too expensive, but that’s why we rent them :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes: . Have you asked any LFS in your area if they have a PAR meter rental program? Most good ones do.

 

[stE26wy14]

Are you sure lighting is the problem? Can you describe what you mean when you say you tried many but an issue always pops up? Like you tried what and what issues?

If it is indeed a lighting problem, you won’t get far troubleshooting without a PAR meter. I agree they are too expensive, but that’s why we rent them :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes: . Have you asked any LFS in your area if they have a PAR meter rental program? Most good ones do.

So, it’s $20 for a day
And I mean, algae…
Phyto
Algae
Algae
U get it…
And sometimes just death

 

[Spare time]

So, it’s $20 for a day
And I mean, algae…
Phyto
Algae
Algae
U get it…
And sometimes just death

If algae is the problem, you need more snails and such. If phyto blooms are a problem, a cheap, temporary UV sterilizer will fix that.

 

[Formulator]

Ah, I see. Light is only part of the equation with algae. Unfortunately our corals need the same kind of light algae likes. So trying to prevent algae with changes to light often doesn’t yield good results for your corals. You need to consider nutrients in the equation as well. What are your nitrate and phosphate concentrations?

 

[stE26wy14]

If algae is the problem, you need more snails and such. If phyto blooms are a problem, a cheap, temporary UV sterilizer will fix that.

I have 40+ snails
My tank also have sunlight directed onto it sround 2-3 hours a day, could that contributes?

 

[Spare time]

I have 40+ snails
My tank also have sunlight directed onto it sround 2-3 hours a day, could that contributes?

What kind of algae is the problem? What kinds of snails? Imo sunlight doesn't matter a whole lot given how reef lights are designed to grow algae.

 

[stE26wy14]

What kind of algae is the problem? What kinds of snails? Imo sunlight doesn't matter a whole lot given how reef lights are designed to grow algae.

I’ll tell u tomorrow
And astreas, 7 masses, 1 Mexican turbo, and 3 emeralds, 2 little itty bitty hermits, and that’s all I think