Question on lighting

[Jeff-Ft-Lauderdale]

So I noticed that the coral tanks at my local fish seller are using blue light. I inherited this 5 gallon wedge tank and it's lighting. I do not have a Par meter, but this is what it looks like with the lights at full.

Does it matter what color the lights are? At the fish store they had their lights all deep blue. I don't know if this was because they wanted to enhance the display, or because it promotes coral health/growth. Will it hurt the corals/anemones to have too much light? It's a pretty tall tank. It's about 30 inches deep, with the light sitting about 7 inches above the top. Right now I have it maxed because it is so deep.

 

[blaxsun]

Corals typically look best under blue light - which is why you'll see them bathed in brilliant blue light in most LFS. I don't know what kind of LED light that is, but it's probably more than sufficient. The only way to get an accurate reading of the light levels is with a PAR meter, though.

 

[Unitylover]

The light seems SLIGHTLY weak at the bottom, but your current light is fine

 

[Jeff-Ft-Lauderdale]

Corals typically look best under blue light - which is why you'll see them bathed in brilliant blue light in most LFS. I don't know what kind of LED light that is, but it's probably more than sufficient. The only way to get an accurate reading of the light levels is with a PAR meter, though.

I was not worried about looks so much at the moment. I wanted to make sure it's not too low or too high for them.

The corals I have are beginner corals mostly. Green Star Polyps (which seem to thrive under any lighting), A Duncan coral, a small Mushroom coral, and the Toadstool coral in the middle (which is the one I'm most concerned about). I also have a couple Rose Bubble Tip Anemones which seem to be shrinking (not enough light?), and a single Green Long Tentacle Anemone that won't root to anything.

The Green Long Tentacle especially I am wondering if it is not getting enough light or too much light.

So my main concern is that they're getting enough light and whether or not I might be overdoing it with the light.

 

[mingc]

So I noticed that the coral tanks at my local fish seller are using blue light. I inherited this 5 gallon wedge tank and it's lighting. I do not have a Par meter, but this is what it looks like with the lights at full.

Does it matter what color the lights are? At the fish store they had their lights all deep blue. I don't know if this was because they wanted to enhance the display, or because it promotes coral health/growth. Will it hurt the corals/anemones to have too much light? It's a pretty tall tank. It's about 30 inches deep, with the light sitting about 7 inches above the top. Right now I have it maxed because it is so deep.

if i remembered correctly, this was a chinese 165w led fixture, your tank is 5 gallon, and 100% of the blue light from this fixture was about 60-80w already! it sounds overkilling lighting intensity to me. we're waiting for a pro's answer here.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Blue brings out certain fluorescence offered by corals and even fish but do not rely on Blue only. White-red and UV are essential for coral health and white is the color that will feed algae for production of zooxanthellae with coral structure in addition to growth and color
Pet store: The reason Pet stores as in the case of my store focus on blue is that very reason- To bring out the fluorescence and make that sale. I run Orphek lighting and one of the modes is demo and " Store" setting which pinpoints the essential coral colors.

 

[Jekyl]

Looks like a black box. Full blast they can put out 8 or 900 par. I ran 2 on my 90g before at 20w 60blue.

 

[Jeff-Ft-Lauderdale]

Looks like a black box. Full blast they can put out 8 or 900 par. I ran 2 on my 90g before at 20w 60blue.

You think I might have it too high?

I actually prefer it high. But not if it will damage the corals or anemones.