Preparing for new STRONG lights. Hows my maximum PAR Chart look?

[jayteerq]

Hey guys! My primes are getting me like max 100 PAR. I want to give these corals the most PAR i can without causing negative effects. Off of my research online, these were the max PAR numbers i came up with that I will try to match once my new lights are installed. Hows it look to you guys? I plan on raising the PAR 5-10% from its current level each week until it gets to these goal numbers. Lmk what you guys think!

 

[KrisReef]

Interesting.

Do you have a par meter to help you get to these levels, and can you document what you have now, and along the way? Could be a neat thread documenting the changes.

 

[jayteerq]

Interesting.

Do you have a par meter to help you get to these levels, and can you document what you have now, and along the way? Could be a neat thread documenting the changes.

Yes! I plan on making another chart with current par and then a third one with final results.

 

[Jones375]

Depending on what you're getting now I would just recommend you acclimate slowly to the increased PAR. I had a few montis when I rescaped and redid lighting that did not respond positively. Bleached for a bit but eventually recovered but it took some time.

 

[jayteerq]

Depending on what you're getting now I would just recommend you acclimate slowly to the increased PAR. I had a few montis when I rescaped and redid lighting that did not respond positively. Bleached for a bit but eventually recovered but it took some time.

How slow we talking? Will 10% weekly be too much you think?

 

[Jones375]

I would say it depends on the PAR difference from current. For me I was moving corals from ~150 to ~320-350 which was a fairly substantial difference IMO. If I could do it again I think 10% PAR per week would've saved me some headache.

 

[jayteerq]

I would say it depends on the PAR difference from current. For me I was moving corals from ~150 to ~320-350 which was a fairly substantial difference IMO. If I could do it again I think 10% PAR per week would've saved me some headache.

Yeah I would be only raising my par 15 PAR a week which now that I’m doing the math sounds awfully slow

 

[Jones375]

But I'd definitely recommend picking up a PAR meter, even the cheaper VBR Aqua (~$130) that I picked up was a game changer.

 

[jayteerq]

But I'd definitely recommend picking up a PAR meter, even the cheaper VBR Aqua (~$130) that I picked up was a game changer.

No yea I have a par meter on hand. None of this would be possible without it

 

[Jones375]

I also think the drastic change contributed to my Dino outbreak. And 10% a week isn't terrible, you'd be at 100% of ideal PAR in 7-8 weeks.

 

[Jones375]

I'd defer to some of the lighting experts but I've always found that nothing good happens quickly in reefing

 

[Freenow54]

I dont know how you are getting a consistant reading at a certain depth. Mine was all over the place. I think I can trust the accuracy I would think since I used an Apogee. I dug this up for you. I am sure there are plenty of others.
Soft Corals ( zoanthids, palythoa, mushrooms, and leathers 50-150 Par

LPS Corals 50-150 Par

Hard Corals ( stony corals, small polyp stony ) 200-500 Par

 

[SliceGolfer]

Depending on your choice of lights, coupled with ability for control and degree of lenses (and water flow) you will not have precise adjustments in PAR. Better to expect a range of change vs a solid number. For example each % of change in the LED may increase PAR 5-15 points at varying measurements.

I select the spectrum I want to run, measure the tank with intensity at full peak, calculate ratios for each setting, then program the starting point and bump intensity by 5% on the channel with the highest intensity overall (usually blues) I then program the other channels in line with the ratios calculated increasing intensity overall on an every other week basis.

Stop if you see bleaching or other ill effects. Prepare for increased Alk consumption. Good luck!