Par reading and kelvin

Proteus · #1 03-01-2015, 01:35 PM

Friend came over with his par meter and I was surprised buy the low par readings.

Tank is 12" high with 250watt 20k xm bulb. Pendant is 10" above water surface. Par at top of rock which is 6" below water surface was 350. I realize that higher k bulbs have lower par.

Would you recommend lowering light for higher par or leave it be

Aquattro · #2 03-01-2015, 02:25 PM

What do the corals think? Growing? Retaining color? Were you happy with the tank before you assigned a number value?

Proteus · #3 03-01-2015, 02:34 PM

Colours are good growth is OK. I do find that some pieces ecrust lots but minimal vertical growth... I'm OK with the way it is. Just wondering if increasing par buy lowering light will help vertical growth. Light is on 6 hours a day.

Funny thing is that Coraline won't grow in upper 6" of tank

Aquattro · #4 03-01-2015, 02:42 PM

Coraline does best for me in my sump, with a tiny little light. I get almost none with MH. Which works out well, but I'd be happier if I could keep it out of my sump too

I think the light is maybe a bit high, but lowering it could raise heat and increase evap. If it's not too much trouble, try it for 3 months and see.

Proteus · #5 03-01-2015, 02:45 PM

I was thinking of lowering a little just to see reaction of acros. I have a deswalli that's at the highest par rating of tank and it grows fast. But colours are on the lighter end

Aquattro · #6 03-01-2015, 02:47 PM

Only way to tell is to try it