Lights Too Bright??

[mess7777]

I currently have a setup with LED 42 watt x 6 for my 110 gallon tank which is 48x24x30.

Sometimes I wonder if the light is too much. I look at other photos and the lighting appears more subdued with a lot more natural contrast. I have trouble not to overexpose my photos, cameras are sure not made for this type of light.

The ultimate question is how do I actually know if there is too much light? Or even too little for that matter? What kinds of reactions would I expect from a coral, and how can I know it's light and not a reaction to water quality or some other factor.

My lights do have a dimmer, so that problem is easily fixed. However, I don't want to underdo and compromise growth.

Curent setup

Shows a better photo of lighting setup

 

[Anemonebuff]

I switched to LEDs and fried an encrusting monti and a finger leather. I use PAR38s and cannot dim them. With AIs you can dim them. You can tell just by looking at your corals. If leathers and palys/zoos are shrinking and closed they are too bright. It's hard to tell right away with SPS corals. When their polyps are out it is usually a good sign, however it is not the only indicator. Bleaching can happen fast, so keep an eye on your corals.

 

[lordofthereef]

If you can dim, but don't have a par meter, I would just start with minimal light for the first day and gradually up it from there. Too much too fast, in terms of light, is worse than too little IME.