Rented Par Meter, needs suggestions.

[Andrew Schubert]

I just renter a PAR meter from BRS for$50/2 weeks. Anyways, I'm wanting to make my tank a mixed reef tank. So far I have mainly LPS and Zoas (2 Acros that haven't done much). Which is why I wanted to rent a PAR meter to fine tune things before really diving into and buying some good SPS.

My current setup is 2x AP700 running on top of my 4 foot 120 gallon. I'm still playing around with the height placement of the lights and such, but it looks like my window of fluctuation will be somewhere between these two options...

Option 1) Top: 330-350 Par/ Bottom: 150-200 Par
Option 2) Top: 250 Par/Bottom: 100-120 Par

Seems like everyone has opinions on what SPS corals should be put under as far as PAR levels. BRStv says 250-350 par. Then I've read things as crazy as 600+ Par. Then on the flip side, a lot of LPS, softies, chalices, need >100 Par. So Option 1, might be better for the SPS, but I'm afraid it might limit my other options.

Option 2 seems like the better all around range, but wonder if my SPS will be hindered with 250 Par lighting.


...My next experiment is to move my lights more towards the back of the tank (instead of the middle), and hope that the top of my rock can provide some 'shade' so not as much light gets to the bottom front (which is where most my LPS will be getting placed).

 

[Flippers4pups]

I just renter a PAR meter from BRS for$50/2 weeks. Anyways, I'm wanting to make my tank a mixed reef tank. So far I have mainly LPS and Zoas (2 Acros that haven't done much). Which is why I wanted to rent a PAR meter to fine tune things before really diving into and buying some good SPS.

My current setup is 2x AP700 running on top of my 4 foot 120 gallon. I'm still playing around with the height placement of the lights and such, but it looks like my window of fluctuation will be somewhere between these two options...

Option 1) Top: 330-350 Par/ Bottom: 150-200 Par
Option 2) Top: 250 Par/Bottom: 100-120 Par

Seems like everyone has opinions on what SPS corals should be put under as far as PAR levels. BRStv says 250-350 par. Then I've read things as crazy as 600+ Par. Then on the flip side, a lot of LPS, softies, chalices, need >100 Par. So Option 1, might be better for the SPS, but I'm afraid it might limit my other options.

Option 2 seems like the better all around range, but wonder if my SPS will be hindered with 250 Par lighting.


...My next experiment is to move my lights more towards the back of the tank (instead of the middle), and hope that the top of my rock can provide some 'shade' so not as much light gets to the bottom front (which is where most my LPS will be getting placed).

250-300 Par works for most corals and common levels of nutrients. Alkalinity plays a factor as well.

 

[Andrew Schubert]

When u say Most corals, r u referring g to SPS. That seems high for LPS isn't it?

 

[Breadman03]

Think of 250-350 like driving your car on the highway. It's pretty effective and safe. Think of 600 like racing in F1. It's doable, but best left to the highly experienced.

 

[Andrew Schubert]

Think of 250-350 like driving your car on the highway. It's pretty effective and safe. Think of 600 like racing in F1. It's doable, but best left to the highly experienced.

I like that analogy. But now I want to be a race car driver :-).