XR30 coming tomorrow what % should i start out on?

[joekidwell]

Hey everyone after my red and uv melted the lenses on my ai prime i got kinda discouraged with AI....how does the red even melt and burn out at 7%? I've had the light for 2 years using it on my old tank always kept the fan and lense clean. So I went crazy for lighting the nano. The light arrives tomorrow what % should I start out with using the RMS tank mount and diffuser? It's a mixed reef with sps up top and a who lotta lps throughout. Dimensions are 18" x 22" x 22".

 

[blaxsun]

I'd start @50% with one of the stock templates and then go from there (maybe 5% per week increment). A PAR meter is the best way to determine your final light levels.

 

[mfinn]

I agree with the par meter, but they are expensive. Maybe a local club or store may have one you can rent.
You didn't say which gen XR30 you are getting.
Also you didn't mention how high you had the previous lights running at.
I would use the acclimation mode set to run 3 weeks.
I would start low at maybe 30%-35% and end at 55%.

 

[NickHolmes]

50% might be higher than what the AI was pushing out at max so try visually gauge it first. Sounds weird but if you have a decent camera like a dlsr, you can manually set the shutter speed and exposure and take comparison pics under the exact same conditions ie. Night time with no other lights on the room. Poor man’s par meter

 

[joekidwell]

I agree with the par meter, but they are expensive. Maybe a local club or store may have one you can rent.
You didn't say which gen XR30 you are getting.
Also you didn't mention how high you had the previous lights running at.
I would use the acclimation mode set to run 3 weeks.
I would start low at maybe 30%-35% and end at 55%.

My lfs rents them for $45, I may stop by there later

 

[mfinn]

My lfs rents them for $45, I may stop by there later

Test what the peak is now. Then you know what you don't want to go over. Then if the par numbers now are low ( compared to what others are using now ) you can start the acclimation at the current number and go up to what's needed over a 2-3 week period.