Fluval Reef 4.0 LED Nano Power Level for 15G?

[kingyking888]

Hi,

I am using one Fluval Reef 4.0 LED Nano with the IM Fusion 15 Gallon tank(15" cube).

It has been setup for about 1.5 months and now going through ugly diatom stage.

I have the light mounted on 1" spacers on top of 1/4" polycarbonate sheet. So it much closer than using the mounting bracket.

I have day and night levels at around 10% which seems awefully bright. I was reading online and the Ai suggested max brightness. How do you know what is correct PAR level without meter? Can you base it on brightness with your eyes?

Higher power levels, more algae, correct?

I don't have any corals right now. Mix of live and dry rock. 2 Ocerallis clowns and a small BTA.

 

[Reefing102]

The only thing with par in relation to brightness is the max setting on your light will generally give you maximum par. According to Fluval, these are your par numbers (though they don’t list a mounting height)

That said, the most accurate way to measure par is with a meter (either purchased or rented).

I’d just give the ugly stages time to go through the motions. It’s not convenient but patience is key. You could also try adding some clean up crew (if you haven’t already) to help take care of some of the algae.

 

[oreo57]

Hi,

I am using one Fluval Reef 4.0 LED Nano with the First it look like you should be about 3" tank(15" cube).

It has been setup for about 1.5 months and now going through ugly diatom stage.

I have the light mounted on 1" spacers on top of 1/4" polycarbonate sheet. So it much closer than using the mounting bracket.

I have day and night levels at around 10% which seems awefully bright. I was reading online and the Ai suggested max brightness. How do you know what is correct PAR level without meter? Can you base it on brightness with your eyes?

Higher power levels, more algae, correct?

I don't have any corals right now. Mix of live and dry rock. 2 Ocerallis clowns and a small BTA.

3".front of light to water line. About the correct height for your 15" wide tank and the 120 degree beam angle of the light.
Light is about 25 watts.
You can guess par from their published specs..at 100%
Your height would be the 3" + 15 = 18".. Bare bottom.
Below would give you about 50 par at that level.
Keep in mind that's just dead center..

1" plus 15" is 16" for determining par measurements in this example say 75 PAR

"Global dimming" (like all channels dimmed to 50% ) roughly cuts par by 50%.

For specific animals you just need to be in a range.. not an absolute like 252.456 PAR.
200-300 may be fine ect.

BTW I have yet to find any "independent" measurements. Didn't look that hard though.
Usually don't have to.

Brightness to you is irrelevant.

High power levels means more algae? Yes, no maybe....

Reefing 102 you snuck that in.. LOL...