Quick question about Radion Lights

[jdewolftx]

All,

Quick question...I recently added fish to my reef and therefore I have had to add a cover. I opted for egg crate for now and may move to mesh in the future. I have two Radion 30's on my 4 foot tank. They are set to 55% max peak during my daytime profile.

Should I increase the max intensity now that I am adding egg crate? If so, should I increase it 5%? More?

I am looking for suggestions.

-Jdewolftx

 

[gone fishin]

I don't really know how much to increase them to me it is trial and error till you find the right spot. But I usually will do 5% increments.

Just be aware that eggcrate is actually a light diffuser, I would go with the mesh sooner than later.

 

[Deinonych]

The intensity depends on what types of corals you have. I have mine at 45% at the peak of the curve, and 40% most of the day. I have a mix of LPS and SPS (no acros, mostly montis, birdsnest and stylos), and I was stressing my LPS at higher intensity. I had to move my purple stylo down near the sand bed, as it was bleaching midway up.

The Radions are pretty powerful, so you don't need to crank them up super high unless you have a lot of Acropora. Even so, best to ramp up the intensity super slow so your corals acclimate properly. Here's a handy tool that will give you ballpark PAR readings.

http://www.aquaticlog.com/radion

 

[Sapelo]

+1 you'll have to see what works for you but I use eggcrate too and run mine at 45%

 

[jdewolftx]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. It seems that for now, the diffuser may be helping, considering I have mine up to 55% peak.

On a side note, I lot my Midas blenny. He some how found the one gap (no bigger than 1/2 inch) and jumped. Didn't realize it for several hours. So sad. I may move to a screen just so that I can tailor it even more perfectly to the top of my aquarium.

-jdewolftx