Par levels in your tank?

[lmm1967]

Those that have a meter or have used one on your current tank, what PAR are you running at top, middle & bottom of your tank?

I'm was kind of shocked to see how low my PAR is on my tank.

Running 4 48" HO T5 bulbs plus 2 Kessil A360W-E.

With the kessils turned up full blast and the ATI fixture about 10" off the top of the water, my highest par reading about 6" below the surface is under 200.

This was my first time playing with a par meter so I have some experimenting to do - but right now it is looking like I may be in the market for some additional lights.

 

[civics14]

Mid - 400-450
Sandbed at 200-250

I run 2x T5s & 6 RapidLED Onyx on my RedSea P500. Max setting on the LEDs is 24%.

 

[lmm1967]

Mid - 400-450
Sandbed at 200-250

I run 2x T5s & 6 RapidLED Onyx on my RedSea P500. Max setting on the LEDs is 24%.

Wow - that's a lotta light!

 

[The_Harris_co]

Wow - that's a lotta light!

I was shocked by that number too. I’m at about 275 in the center of the tank half way down which is where the top of my rock is. I guess right at the surface I’d probably hit 400 but I don’t have rocks that y’all

 

[civics14]

Wow - that's a lotta light!

Yeah, I run lower settings with more lights to get more spread and less shadowing.

 

[dapperjman]

I also made the same realization after using a PAR meter with my three 360WEs, I get about 250 at the top and about 75 around the "good" places in the sand. That is with them peaking at 90% and about 8in off the water.