What PAR readings to you keep your SPS in?

I run an aquaactinics constellation 7 bulb fixture, it sits directly on top of my 90g tank. I borrowed our clubs PAR meter and I was hitting 800+ PAR in the top 5 inches of the water, I happened to have a bunch of SPS in this region. Some acropora thrive in this high light environment but I think the majority will suffer from photo-inhibition. I replaced two bulbs with pure actincs, my growth and color has never been better.

I suspect the top of my tank is now in the high 600's rather than 800's.
 
INtersting numbers. I measured mine a while ago, but I don't remember what the numbers where. I am upgrading my Lumenarc III to a Lumenmax in the next few days. I will see if I can get before and after reading to see if there is any change.
 
With all these high PAR numbers it leads me to believe that my current 250w Ushio 20k's just dont have enough PAR to really grow SPS with my readings of 300 @ the surface and 100 on the sand bed?

Are new bulbs in order?
 
reefer96 said:
With all these high PAR numbers it leads me to believe that my current 250w Ushio 20k's just dont have enough PAR to really grow SPS with my readings of 300 @ the surface and 100 on the sand bed?

Are new bulbs in order?
Click to expand...

I think 300 par is ok for many sps. The biggest problem using a single bulb is shadowing unless you place corals directly under the bulb.
 
phoenix 250w DE galaxy ballast

PARreading.jpg
 
On paper there the best and they are easy to install.Visually there is a big difference in the tank when there on vs parabolic reflectors.
 
urastame said:
How do you like those Lumen Max Elite? Ive been looking into gettting new ones just dont know which ones to get.....any help or advise is greatly :beer:.
Click to expand...

I really like them. Was a little disappointed in the overall reflector material quality as it feels a bit thin and cheap. However, their performance is phenomenal.

Bullredchaser said:
On paper there the best and they are easy to install.Visually there is a big difference in the tank when there on vs parabolic reflectors.
Click to expand...

I respectfully disagree. On wide (front to back) tank where spread is a key factor, there is a noticeable difference visually. My former dark spots brightened considerably when I switched.
 
It would depend on how high you hang them. I'm not sure if they make larger reflectors, but i just installed a DE Lumen Max Elite pendant last night and personally think it would only be good for a 2x2 spread (if you were only using 1). My tank is 30" long x 22" wide. As Jeff mentioned I have much better coverage front to back, but 1 pendant cant cover the 30" width.

Here are some comparison pics. I'll be adding the second pendant and getting some more PAR readings today.

1 - Lumen Max Elite Pendant

NewLight1Elite_011210.jpg


2 - PFO Mini Pendants

OldLite2PFOMini-011010.jpg
 
Got some PAR readings with just the 1 Lumen Max Elite Pendant. As I thought, I'm going to need to get the 2nd pendant hung to get the results I'm looking for. However, I'm pretty sure that I'm going to see a significant improvement in intensity and coverage over the 2 PFO Mini Pendants as just 1 Lumen Max Elite provided as strong results down the center of the tank as it took the 2 combined PFO Mini Pendants to produce.

Here are the readings with the 1 Lumen Max Elite Pendant

FTSPARelite_012010.jpg


Here are the readings from the 2 PFO Mini Pendants

FTSPARclean_011110.jpg
 
I wish someone would do this that has an LED setup. I'm not convinced yet that LEDs are where they need to be to support high end SPS.

I need to upgrade my lights and really want to go with an LED/T5 combo and leave Metal Halide to the history books.
 
nanokeeper said:
I wish someone would do this that has an LED setup. I'm not convinced yet that LEDs are where they need to be to support high end SPS.

I need to upgrade my lights and really want to go with an LED/T5 combo and leave Metal Halide to the history books.
Click to expand...

I'm not convinced yet either. Although I think LED's are the future of lighting, I don't think we are there yet.
 
I am thinking of getting one of these meters, however $350 that is one fancy toy and I feel I could kill a few frags in the worse case.. by experimenting placement and still come out ahead?

I have no hard feeling about changing the bulb every 6-8 months, not because of PAR drop but spectrum shift anyway. So should I get it and I wonder if there is a rental somewhere..
 
StrategicReef said:
I am thinking of getting one of these meters, however $350 that is one fancy toy and I feel I could kill a few frags in the worse case.. by experimenting placement and still come out ahead?

I have no hard feeling about changing the bulb every 6-8 months, not because of PAR drop but spectrum shift anyway. So should I get it and I wonder if there is a rental somewhere..
Click to expand...
Sometimes local reef clubs have them and will lend them out to their members for a small fee or for free. Perhaps you should check with some of the clubs in your area. A membership fee is a lot cheaper than $350, not to mention all the additional fun and benefits that come from belonging to a club.
 
People in our club are real cool about lending out par meters. We have a great club in the twin cities. Lot of nice people willing to lend a hand.
 
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