New Radions..opinions on par readings and graph help

[gdubs97]

I recently purchased the radions. I like them alot. I just don't know how or what I should adjust. I recently took some PAR measurements. The first number is a reading at 8:53 PM and the second one is at 6:30 PM(approx peak intensity). The graph below (thanks Jonathan at Ecotech) shows the relative intensity.

First off, I really appreciate him letting me use his graph, but I need to find out if these PARs are good enough to grow my corals considering the amount of time (see graph) and coral types (photos) The tank is a typical 120 gallon. 4' x 2' x 2'. One thing I do not like is the beginning and end of the photo cycle looks incredibly orange/bright red. Is that something I need? I do not like the look at all and would love to know how to adjust it.

One thing I notice in my corals are the palys in the last shot (55/80...and those numbers should be lower) look very "stringy and skinny" since adding the radions.

Does anyone else have graphs that could help? How do my PAR readings look? Thanks

 

[njudson]

I run mine in natural mode at 75% and it is too much light for lots of my corals but my nem loves it.

 

[scolley]

I run mine in natural mode at 75% and it is too much light for lots of my corals but my nem loves it.

That's the voice of experience, which is much better information than my conjecture - having no Radion experience. That said...

...I need to find out if these PARs are good enough to grow my corals... How do my PAR readings look? Thanks

I'm surprised at those peak PAR readings. With my little DIY LED with 24 XR-Es, hanging 12" over the water I typically get a range of 125-275 PAR for things 9 inches under the surface, depending on position. How does that line up with yours?

Plus - you've got to keep in mind - LEDs total PAR do not show up well on PAR meters. Apparently they don't register the royal blues very well. So what ever number you are getting, it's actually more. For my purposes I've used a factor of 1.333. Which is seat of the pants really. But it's what I've used to guestimate what my PAR really is. Something to consider.

 

[gdubs97]

I'm getting from 120 to 180 par from 6" to 12" depth. That's slightly off the peak time. Plus the intensity is only at about 50percent intensity. Once I increase the intensity I'm sure those numbers will go up.


QUOTE=scolley;20096218]That's the voice of experience, which is much better information than my conjecture - having no Radion experience. That said...


I'm surprised at those peak PAR readings. With my little DIY LED with 24 XR-Es, hanging 12" over the water I typically get a range of 125-275 PAR for things 9 inches under the surface, depending on position. How does that line up with yours?

Plus - you've got to keep in mind - LEDs total PAR do not show up well on PAR meters. Apparently they don't register the royal blues very well. So what ever number you are getting, it's actually more. For my purposes I've used a factor of 1.333. Which is seat of the pants really. But it's what I've used to guestimate what my PAR really is. Something to consider.[/QUOTE]

 

[scolley]

Well that explains it. Sounds like your readings are good. But I'll wager your going to turn up the volume for SPS.

 

[gdubs97]

Of course I will. In your experience do you think lower PARS (switching from T5s to 50% intensity on radions) would make my zoas thin looking? I now zoas come and go sometimes but these that are thin now (only after light switch) were always full.

Well that explains it. Sounds like your readings are good. But I'll wager your going to turn up the volume for SPS.

 

[scolley]

No idea. When I switched from MH to LED I deliberately set my intensity to 50%, knowing that - like you - it was likely too little. Then I raised it 5% a week until the corals looked happy. Then I kept going looking carefully to see if they begin to look unhappy. In my case I had to stop at 100%.

You might think of doing something similar. And you might see things pick up in the process.