SPS PAR Readings

[Felixc395]

I was wondering what are optimal levels to keep SPS. I have a 24'' deep tank so a little deeper than average and please keep that in mind. Here's what I would like to know:

1. Low Light: What would be low PAR for the bottom, middle, and top of the tank in terms of low PAR?

2. Medium Light: What would be medium PAR for the bottom, middle, and top of the tank?

3. High Light: What would be high PAR for the bottom, medium, and top of the tank?

Thanks everyone!

[Jimbo7]

I would be really interested to see peoples thoughts on these ranges as well. Also, any written articles with findings.

[rhys123]

My outside system is what I consider to be high light

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg225/123Rhys/TS93.jpg

What I consider to be Medium to low range light

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg225/123Rhys/TS83.jpg

Just my opinion

[zangmann]

Those outside numbers are insane! Just goes to show how we are nowhere near what the sun does.

I think the second pic is what most of us see in our tanks. Medium light.

[USNzifer]

Yeah but if you take that top row of outside numbers add them up and divide by 9 to get the average it is 950 per day...not that crazy high really.. that's what most people get with 10 or 12K bulbs. The numbers for the MH light tank look to be high Kelvin bulbs or low watts..not sure...

It is interesting however that the lower you go in the naturally light tank the numbers don't seem to go down. That is probably due to light entering at all angles of the tank and not just from above as in traditional lighting.

[Felixc395]

Thanks everyone. And as always keep it coming!

[Felixc395]

I would be really interested to see peoples thoughts on these ranges as well. Also, any written articles with findings.

I'm with you. Articles are always helpful!

[SPStoner]

I get some insane par on my 200 DD with 400w Radiums in Lumenmax elites. So much so, that I am considering going to 250's.



http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b82/SPStoner/DSCN5896.jpg

[Felixc395]

My outside system is what I consider to be high light

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg225/123Rhys/TS93.jpg

What I consider to be Medium to low range light

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg225/123Rhys/TS83.jpg

Just my opinion

What light setup is on the second tank?

[Felixc395]

My outside system is what I consider to be high light

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg225/123Rhys/TS93.jpg

What I consider to be Medium to low range light

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg225/123Rhys/TS83.jpg

Just my opinion

What light setup is on the second tank?

[zef004]

I've see sps grow as low as 200par. And the par in my tank is 175-250 on the sand bed. And 5" from the water line 350-575par.
Some sps need higher par then athers. But most will be ok between 200-400par

[Jimbo7]

rhys123. Awesome breakdown of everything. Do you run anything in those outside tanks? How is the color/growth?

[MechEng99]

My Very Low PAR QT Tank (SPS grow at only 125-150 on the top rack...proof below):
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh254/Reef-d_Up/Tank%20that%20Shouldnt/10g_PAR2.jpg

SPS under 125-150 PAR:
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh254/Reef-d_Up/Tank%20that%20Shouldnt/100_9129.jpg

Grow-out Tank (Step 2 of QT) - Low PAR:
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh254/Reef-d_Up/FTS/55g_PAR.jpg

Main Tank - Medium High PAR: 400W MH in LumenMax Elites on a 31" deep 150g
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh254/Reef-d_Up/FTS/150g_PAR.jpg

[rhys123]

What light setup is on the second tank?

Lumenbright reflector 400W Radium on Mag ballast 45cm above the water

rhys123. Awesome breakdown of everything. Do you run anything in those outside tanks? How is the color/growth?

Yes growth is insane judge the color for yourself

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg225/123Rhys/TSN11.jpg

[Felixc395]

Thank MechEng99 for posting and rhys123 fir the info too.

[Felixc395]

This is all good info. I was thinking of getting a PAR meter when I saw the price. I'm fifteen so $250 for a meter isn't my priority. Then I found a LUX/Lumen meter for about $50 and found this to be much more reasonable.

What is high and low Lux/Lumens and is there a way to convert them into PAR?

[MechEng99]

You'll have to know the spectrum of your bulbs in order to convert the LUX/Lumens to PAR.

Many local reef clubs have PAR meters available to borrow or rent. You should check around to see if anyone near you has one. :)

[dixiedog]

Recent readings in my tank. I have no way of knowing if these are "ideal" levels, if there is such a thing. I have seen pics of corals flourishing beautifully in everything from 200 to about 800. These are working so far, but check with me in another year. ;) Everything grows well, but there's a lot of very pale SPS here as you can see. It's not quite as bad as it looks, but it's close.



http://i47.*******.com/2j4da88.jpg

[Rickyrooz1]

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa85/YellowBellyTang/FTSPARValuesnewMHbulbs.jpg

[dan223]

What I consider to be Medium to low range light

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg225/123Rhys/TS83.jpg

THese numbers are almost Identical to what Im getting with an ATI sunpower 6X54 fixture, drop off on the ends is not quiet as extreme though on my setup. I would consider this medium-high.

[Felixc395]

You'll have to know the spectrum of your bulbs in order to convert the LUX/Lumens

I don't quite understand this. Would someone care to explain a little further?

[MechEng99]

My specialty isn't lighting, so I'll refer you to someone else on that. :)

Here are some good links I've found over time that might help.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/2/review
http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Tech/par-moles.html
http://www.bio.net/bionet/mm/plant-ed/2001-October/007208.html

[Felixc395]

Thanks for the articles. Very good info!

[chuckreef]

THese numbers are almost Identical to what Im getting with an ATI sunpower 6X54 fixture, drop off on the ends is not quiet as extreme though on my setup. I would consider this medium-high.

Hey Dan,

I'm just about to make that switch (MH to sunpower), what height to you have your PM?

Chuck

[dan223]

PM is the power module I have the sunpower I dont believe performance wise (par output) theres any difference, its mainly cosmetic and 1 extra fan on the powermodule but the fans are variable speed so probably doesnt matter.
To answer your Q, I have the fixture directly above tank, as in 1/4" above the rim for a few reasons, I dont like canopys or having the light spilling out, and to cut back on evaporation my house has multiple tanks and plants I dont need more humidity:). I was worried about not giving enough height for the different color bulbs to blend before hitting corals and rocks but it isnt noticable. No regrets on the SP its top notch performance. LED's do seem to be coming along now I think they will be the future, theres just too many choices.

[rhys123]

250W Plasma and 250W Radium MH on Electric Ballast

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg225/123Rhys/TSN39.jpg

Par readings

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg225/123Rhys/TSN40.jpg

[Haksar]

That's a big difference in PAR..is the LED PAR similar or lower than plaama.

[rhys123]

The plasma was lacking a descent reflector the young guy who owns it is going to retrofit it to a lumenarc and I will do another set of readings with it against one of my lumenarcs.

[kentrob11]

Something must be wrong with that plasma bulb....There is NO WAY a 250watt radium would out-par a plamsa bulb....period. Even in that inefficient reflector, it should still produce better numbers than a 250watt radium, which is known for less than ideal par measurements. Does he have the plasma bulb dimmed down?

[rhys123]

Double up

[rhys123]

If you say so.

Similar reading as to what I got from them

http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww33/deaddybear/PARTest150GSeashineFullPower-1.jpg

Someone else thought they needed to be retrofitted to a Lumenarc

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1629428

Same par readings I got

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1629428&page=3

[notsomot]

Thats my plasma mate and nothing wrong with my light everyone is getting the same readings. I can re-test if you like...

[jestersix]

Thats my plasma mate and nothing wrong with my light everyone is getting the same readings. I can re-test if you like...

I'm curious how far from the light to your 350 PAR reading? Your numbers look about right - but I'm just curious how your setting compares to mine (the 150G pic posted above is my tank).

[rhys123]

It was about a foot and half

Nice light I really liked it (more then the MH) it was a little disappointing par wise but not overly so if they where cheaper I would not hesitate having them instead of the MH during winter

[jestersix]

Hmmm...At 18 inches I'm getting PAR of around 500+...it is hard to tell perspective from the PAR shot of my tank. Near the middle of the tank there are a couple of Milli frags with a 520 reading, and they are directly under the light (16 inches air + appx 4 inches water). My two fixtures are about 24 inches from the each end of the tank, so the spread overlaps in the middle somewhat.

This picture give a perspective of how my lights are set up (lights are at 50% here)

http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww33/deaddybear/048.jpg

[Felixc395]

jestersix, I like the small footprint and sleekness of your plasma lighting. Nice!

[kentrob11]

jestersix,

Based on your experience with these, would you say that at maybe 75% power, would the penetration be sufficient for elevated par numbers 36" or so beneath the surface? I'me still working on a solution for a 60" deep tank....Thanks!