I will be getting a Apogee MQ-200 PAR Meter this week and was wondering if someone could help with par numbers for where all the corals should be. I have Miami orchid, procilapora, digitata's, humis, caps, elkhorn, green bonsia acro, blue tip green slimmer, tri color, birds nest, cats paw, duncan, wall frogspawn, trumpets, and a couple other acro's I don't know names of. Thanks for any help.
Par meter numbers?
- Thread starter tinkerman
- Start date
karsseboom
New member
I would shoot for at least 150 par on the sand.
NewBostonConst
Premium Member
I would shoot for each sps to be at least 200 and target 300. The more light they get the more they grow. Move them up or add lights as needed.
I have the same meter you have bought and have taken various reading in my tank. The numbers you should shoot for are dependant of the lighting you are using. I am running AI Sol Blues and have reading around 70 on the floor of the tank. The light is 12" awl and the tank is 24" deep. My tri color is 2" from the bottom, my Bali slimmer ranges from 3" from the bottom to 5" from the surface. A little more info on your setup would be great. If you are running a similar setup to your lfs, you should ask to measure their tanks to get a better idea for proper coral placement. Don't use the meter as the bible for placement. Use your corals health for that. It is amazing how adaptive corals are. When I add new corals I place them on a movable frag rack to see what they like most. The meter will get you in the ballpark. It's a good tool and have fun with it.
Mock
Saltwater Junkie
I think it looks fantastic! My old 125 was loaded with rock and SPS, but that was long ago, I wish I had done the aquascape like you have, but back then a wall of rock was standard. Yours is the first LBM setup that does a good job of spreading with only a few hotspots, and none of those should cause photoinhibition. Very nicely done and it will just keep getting better.
