Par increase timetable recommendations

[outdrsyguy1]

I put together a DIY led light and I need some recommendations on how quickly I can raise the lighting/par levels. Was running 2 - 250w halides and a couple 95w pc's.

I'm running about 25% power right now and I'd like to get to a point where I'm about double the current par levels. Can I raise it x% every few days, every week, or like 50 par every few days/week? I have a par meter so that helps make adjustments with a fair amount of accuracy.

Thanks!

 

[ringo®]

As with most things in this hobby.....slower is always better. Let your fish and coral tell you how much is too much. If you're blasting them, it will be obvious.

 

[outdrsyguy1]

Yeah, the problem is I have a bunch of damage from lack of light. So browning and bleaching. Not being super experienced it's a little hard for me to judge but I do keep a pretty good eye on things.

 

[ringo®]

My fish were my main warning sign. Taking shelter under an overhang where they would normally swim = too much. I also had a mind blowing paly that was my "canary".....it would look like it was starting to collapse when I went too high.

Coming from T5's to LED, I started around 30% and went up about 10% a week (guesstimate).

 

[ripped tide]

What are you using to measure par?

 

[outdrsyguy1]

Apogee MQ-200 set on electric calibration. Connected to the bottom of a 3' glass cleaner stick (I drilled a hole in the plastic attachment that's at ~30 degree angle fro the main stick)

Interesting to know about the fish, didn't even think about them.

I also noticed that as soon as I put the LED light on the RBTA near the top started to bubble a little which it's never done before.

 

[reeferman]

i would go up 5-10% every other week and watch the corals closely.what you built puts out a LOT of light.