PAR levels

[mrtint]

Anyone read or monitor their PAR levels for SPS,s?

I realize there is a huge variance in requirements for SPS but Im mainly interested in your readings 6"-12" from the surface? I also realize quality of light is better than quantity of light. I only ask because my tank reads about 217 PAR during peak of light. All my SPS look great in color but grow at snails pace. I have seen other frags from the same mother colony double in size. My lights (LED T5 combo) currently run at 35% but im thinking of trying to get PAR up to 300 VERY SLOWLY. I just dont want to loose the color

any thoughts or current PAR levels you are having success at?

 

[Rakie]

This has been covered extensively by many people. Go watch the Bulk Reef Supply lighting videos, 52 weeks of reefing week 18, 19, 20, 21 -- Then watch week 37, the SPS week.

The short of it, is SPS can live healthy and thrive in 200-300 PAR.

Additionally, PAR is not the best way to measure usable light intensity -- That measurement is called PUR. PUR is the light spectrum that the corals can use, rather than just "how much light there is".

 

[minus9]

Watch the vid from MACNA, Dana Riddle talks about lighting, alk, flow, etc and how they relate to each other.
Lighting is only one factor, water parameters have as much to do with growth as lighting.

 

[itz frank]

You also can't compare a frag and a math or colony's growth. The larger the piece, the quicker is grows and it can be exponentially quicker.


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[Tek]

Radium 400w 20k MH/LED tank 6" = 325-400 PAR, 12" = 225-300 PAR. Lights are about 16" off the water. Some SPS will stunt growth if the lights are too strong.

IME water parameters make the most difference when it comes to growth.


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