What PAR readings to you keep your SPS in?

[reefer96]

I run 20k Ushio 250w DE on bluewave 7 ballasts supplemented with G-man pure Actinic on a 27in tall tank, and i wonder what PAR readings others are getting.

Im getting 330 about an inch below surface and around 100 on the sand bed.

 

[GlassReef]

Those readings seem on the low side. How far are your bulbs above the water line? What kind of reflectors do you use? How old are the bulbs?

 

[reefer96]

8.5 inches from glass shield to water surface, Lumenmax III reflectors, bulbs are about 5 months old. i figured the readings would be low with 20k's and all, but didn't think it would be that low. I'm wondering if its TOOO LOW for sps?

 

[68sting]

I would be interested to know other peoples par readings also. Mine seem low to me.

MH
Galaxy ballast
400 watt
Bulbs 5 months
20k Radiums
Lumenarc 3 full size- 10" off the water
29" deep tank
Oceanic glass brace in middle
900par just out of the water

 

[SDguy]

OLD pic, but I still use the same lights:

 

[reefer96]

OLD pic, but I still use the same lights

What lights are you using? bulb and wattage info.

 

[SDguy]

It's in my sig.

2 x 250W 14K Phoenix in PFO on Icecaps

 

[Tswifty]

2 x 250w DE Pheonix 14k (PFO HQI ballast)

Tank dimensions: 30" x 22" x 16" Tall

 

[reefer96]

Keep it coming, this is exactly the info i was looking for. :thumbsup:

 

[JAustin]

Great thread!!!

 

[serpentman]

Here are my readings. For what its worth, I have some acros in 700+ areas and others around 220. Corals in both areas are growing like mad. Lights (250W SE Phoenix 14K with Lumen Max Elite reflectors) are still new (12 days old) and are mounted ~14" off the water's surface.

 

[Chipie]

Excellent thread! Keep it coming

 

[elijaher]

Wow 699,701 par in the water.

 

[Tswifty]

I'm changing to new reflectors in the next couple of days so here are readings I took today. The readings I took above were 6 months ago.

 

[serpentman]

It's all in the reflectors . TJ, I expect you'll see a significant improvement...

 

[Orr2003]

What par meter are you guys using, Apogee?

 

[Tswifty]

It's all in the reflectors . TJ, I expect you'll see a significant improvement...

Yeah I've had those Lumen Max Elites sitting around for a few months still in the box. I figure it's about time I get em hung. LOL

 

[Tswifty]

What par meter are you guys using, Apogee?

That's what I used.

 

[logiktest]

I'm using two 250w Ushio 14K DE, BlueWave, ReefOptixIII @ 9". Bulbs are eight months old, meaning that I have not cleaned the reflectors in about eight months either. :lol: I used an Apogee PAR meter for testing. The tank measures roughly 48l"x24w"x30h", and has a large glass brace in the middle (Oceanic)... wish I had more sticks to show off.

 

[elijaher]

omg 900, 820, in the water.