Rate the par levels in my tank for lps

[DOJOLOACH]

After a lot of research on lighting I've dialed the light down and taken par readings. How does this look for a zoa and lps dominant tank? Should I bump my blue intensity up?

 

[Ron Reefman]

Your top PAR is just 33????

Even for zoas I would want 50 minimum and up to 100. For lps I'd want 100 minimum and up to 200 or more.

At the top of my rockscape (8" below the water surface) my PAR is 300.

 

[Thaxxx]

I think you didn't see the chart in the picture

 

[this is me]

Your top PAR is just 33????

Even for zoas I would want 50 minimum and up to 100. For lps I'd want 100 minimum and up to 200 or more.

At the top of my rockscape (8" below the water surface) my PAR is 300.

I think you didn't see the chart in the picture

lol.

 

[DOJOLOACH]

So you think 100 at the sandbed is a good goal with just blues? Then the white and blue period could be higher?

 

[intricate_reefer]

I keep my zoas and Lps at about 80 par and they all look amazing. I think that will be a solid set up. I wouldn’t bump it up anymore. Maybe even dial it back a bit. It also depends on what lps you want to keep. Acans and chalices like lower than say euphyllia. Zoas are pretty versatile.

 

[DOJOLOACH]

Thanks for the tips, I wish I could dial it back more on whites but I can't without the dial turning them off... I could dial blue back some at the expense of looking bad under the whites.

Do you keep yours at 80 par during the whole light cycle? How long is your light cycle? I think my blues turn on and off 1.5 hours before the whites come on/off, my whites are on about 6 hours

Any recommendations on coral placement at the top? I was thinking a facial, do acans on left rock next to some zoas.

 

[intricate_reefer]

I run a 13 hour light schedule, the 80 par is at peak and only about 6 hours or so. With the main peak with whiles only 2 hours. My tanks are pretty blue.

If you plan on keeping euphyllia or gonipora I would keep them up top with the little higher light and that way they are away from stinging stuff As well. Certain zoas will also be ok.

Mid light around the 80 par mark give or take a little bit. I would do zoas, acans, favias

Around 60-70 go for mushrooms, chalices cyphastrea.

Most of these corals can do well in higher light if acclimated but I wouldnt do too much more on the acans as the colors tend to morph.

30g chalice tank before I turned into a zoa frag tank

My acan tank a few months back

 

[thedon986]

I think 100 at the sand is plenty for LPS

 

[DOJOLOACH]

Awesome, yes I was planning to do a favia at the top or euphyliia so I think I'm satisfied now. Interesting about the cyphastrea not needing a lot of light

 

[PatW]

I have some LPS in my SPS dominant tank and extra light does not seem to be an issue for them. So you could probably bump up the levels some. But I think you are probably at about the right level.

 

[DOJOLOACH]

I run a 13 hour light schedule, the 80 par is at peak and only about 6 hours or so. With the main peak with whiles only 2 hours. My tanks are pretty blue.

If you plan on keeping euphyllia or gonipora I would keep them up top with the little higher light and that way they are away from stinging stuff As well. Certain zoas will also be ok.

Mid light around the 80 par mark give or take a little bit. I would do zoas, acans, favias

Around 60-70 go for mushrooms, chalices cyphastrea.

Most of these corals can do well in higher light if acclimated but I wouldnt do too much more on the acans as the colors tend to morph.

30g chalice tank before I turned into a zoa frag tank

My acan tank a few months back

Yes sir I'll take your advice with those pics of success right there! Woah

 

[intricate_reefer]

Yes sir I'll take your advice with those pics of success right there! Woah

Thanks brother! Figured I would add them so you could see it wasn’t just talk. A lot of people over estimate how much par lps need. The acans right in the center, under the light are getting about 90 par while others in the tank 70-80. Not saying they can’t do well in higher par but I’ve had much better success with lower. Check out the build for some Marco shot with the colors I’m pulling.

 

[DOJOLOACH]

Cool deal I'll check it out!

 

[DOJOLOACH]

Thanks brother! Figured I would add them so you could see it wasn’t just talk. A lot of people over estimate how much par lps need. The acans right in the center, under the light are getting about 90 par while others in the tank 70-80. Not saying they can’t do well in higher par but I’ve had much better success with lower. Check out the build for some Marco shot with the colors I’m pulling.

How often do you feed your lps and zoas and with what technique? Also any idea about your nitrate and po4 levels? My tank is sitting at 2ppm no3 and .04 po4 lately.