What is a good light setting for LPS?

[gabriellar]

I finally got my par meter today and realized my tank is only around 50-60 pars :/. My blue light is at max and the only way for me to increase par is to increase white light. E.g., if I increase white light from 3% (currently) to 16%, then I can detect about 100 pars. But I don't think I should be keeping white light this high? Would love to hear some advice about light spectrum setting (blue, red, purple, cyan, red and white ratio) and if I should get a new light. My current one is Fluval Sea Marine 3.0 LED, and I'm attaching my current par meter reading result and my light setting below. My goal is to have better coral growth and better color. Thanks!

 

[MikeReefs]

Really depends on the coral needs. Many coral LPS and Softies are fine with low light. Also having white that high isn’t a problem.

 

[gabriellar]

From searching, most of the LPS like 100-250 par and SPS like 200-400 par? My worry is coral growth and color. My 24k NYK loses gold after 6 months, and I suspect it is due to my light not being sufficient...

As for white light, doesn't it feed algae?

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

75-100 PAR is good for many common LPS corals. If you are going to have fish, you'll want some white so you can see their colors, too. As @MikeReefs posted above, adding white is not a problem. It's a mostly a matter of taste.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I think you should get a new light.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

From searching, most of the LPS like 100-250 par and SPS like 200-400 par? My worry is coral growth and color. My 24k NYK loses gold after 6 months, and I suspect it is due to my light not being sufficient...

As for white light, doesn't it feed algae?

If you want SPS, then yes, you will need more. Note that PAR varies greatly with depth and laterally as you move out from under center. You can satisfy the needs of both in a tank depending on coral placement. Too much white seems to foster algae growth, but I don't think 100 PAR from adding 16% white will be a big deal. You will need to learn how to control algae within your system regardless. Get the corals happy, then worry about algae.

 

[MikeReefs]

For instance my tank gets 30% white. I have a good size cuc so I purposely want more Algea to keep them satisfied and my tank is basically spotless. I also don’t like my tank to be very blue, white is basically for our viewing purposes. My tank is 95% LPS and they get about 75-120 par. Bump up the white and see how it is I bet your corals will be more satisfied around 100