AI Sol : How much is too much

tmelhiser · 12/09/2012, 05:15 PM

I have 3 AI Sol Blue's over a 40gallon breeder, controlled by a Neptune Systems Apex controller and hung about 8" off the water.

The current lighting program is set to follow the sun, so about a 12hr photo period. The ramp up/down time is about 2hrs on each side, so an 8 hr at the programmed max intensity of 55% on blue and 35% on white.

The corals have recently started staying closed and showing signs of bleaching. I have tested the water parameters and all of them are spot on:

nitrite:0
nitrate: 0
ammonia: 0
phosphate: 0
dkh: 9
calcium: 420
magnesium: 1320
ph: 8.4

What I can't tell is if the lighting is too much or not enough.

Thanks in advance.

power boat jim · 12/09/2012, 05:22 PM

I have 6 over a 180 so 3 over a 40 may be a bit much. I also have mine 18in above the water. I noticed the higher I put them the less corals seemend stressed and the better colors got.. The percentage you using seems ok. I think the way you have them now are the equlivent of having a laser lighting the tank.

chadfarmer · 12/09/2012, 06:45 PM

Change the lighting, sol blues are to bright in that tank , optis are too tight

power boat jim · 12/09/2012, 06:49 PM

They will work fine if you get them up higher and let the light spread out so the colors overlap.

12/09/2012, 05:15 PM	#1
tmelhiser Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lakeway, TX Posts: 30	AI Sol : How much is too much I have 3 AI Sol Blue's over a 40gallon breeder, controlled by a Neptune Systems Apex controller and hung about 8" off the water. The current lighting program is set to follow the sun, so about a 12hr photo period. The ramp up/down time is about 2hrs on each side, so an 8 hr at the programmed max intensity of 55% on blue and 35% on white. The corals have recently started staying closed and showing signs of bleaching. I have tested the water parameters and all of them are spot on: nitrite:0 nitrate: 0 ammonia: 0 phosphate: 0 dkh: 9 calcium: 420 magnesium: 1320 ph: 8.4 What I can't tell is if the lighting is too much or not enough. Thanks in advance.

12/09/2012, 06:45 PM	#3
chadfarmer Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ST Charles, MO far from nanook Posts: 11,045 Blog Entries: 1	Change the lighting, sol blues are to bright in that tank , optis are too tight __________________ If you think you know the answer than ask 3 more people the question Current Tank Info: 200 Gal RR,ATB medium, 4 AI blue sol,230 LBS LIVE ROCK, no sand , 40 GAL sump, airstar1800, 3 tunze 6105 1- 6205 1-6305, Geo 818, profilux3ex with toys

12/09/2012, 05:22 PM	#2
power boat jim Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Wisconsin, The big peninsula Posts: 2,100	I have 6 over a 180 so 3 over a 40 may be a bit much. I also have mine 18in above the water. I noticed the higher I put them the less corals seemend stressed and the better colors got.. The percentage you using seems ok. I think the way you have them now are the equlivent of having a laser lighting the tank.

12/09/2012, 06:49 PM	#4
power boat jim Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Wisconsin, The big peninsula Posts: 2,100	They will work fine if you get them up higher and let the light spread out so the colors overlap.