PAR Readings

[gablett]

Thought I would share my PAR readings from my new lighting setup.

First off, thanks the Zachtos for letting me borrow his meter.

For set up:

3 - LumenArc Mini Reflectors with glass shields
3 - 250 watt Radium 20K bulbs
2 - Galaxy Dual 250watt electronic ballasts

The reflectors are about 5" off the water.

I tried to measure towards the middle of the tank, and I put the numbers over the coral I measured it next to. Its wasnt quite middle towards the bottom. So heres what I have. Hopefully it helps somebody.

Just above the water line under the light it is cracking 1100.

 

[snorvich]

Very interesting. Excellent PAR but the drop off in between lights surprises me.

 

[gablett]

Yea I was happy when I got the numbers. Plenty good for me. Guess I should mention its a 220 gallon tank.

I was surprised by that too. I think its a combo of things. For one, these reflectors are hung pretty low to get high par. Second, the reflectors seem to be highly concentrated in the middle. And third, there are braces at those points that might block some light.

 

[campos]

How tall is your tank?

 

[reeferlover]

wow thats a lot of mh light for very little coral

 

[gablett]

My tank is 72 long 24 front to back and 30 deep.

Yea no kidding. I sold my entire Zoanthid collection to buy these lights and SPS frags. Those frags in there are about a week old. So hopefully this time next year it will look a little better lol.

I dont really have anything to compare it to other than a friend who has a smaller tank with 175 mh over a softie tank, so are these numbers as expected? Low? High? Sufficient for SPS?

As a side note I plan to add 4 4' T5s overdriven by icecap ballasts for supplemental and actinic.