I have Horrible par

[Johnic]

I knew I had bad par based on how my corals are growing. I do have a lot of growth but it now even. I've ordered a new T5/Led hybrid from nanobox and I can't wait.
Have a look at my readings taken by my seneye. I'll be sure to take readings when I install my new hybrid.

[TimeConsumer]

100 on the sandbed in not horrible, it's average. Those readings are fine for a mixed reef.

[Johnic]

Here's a pic of how my coral is growing very odd.

[Johnic]

Originally Posted by TimeConsumer

100 on the sandbed in not horrible, it's average. Those readings are fine for a mixed reef.

Really? I think the other major problem is uneven lighting. Shadowing is a big problem. Have a look how my coral is growing off the skeleton.

[Indymann99]

Your PAR numbers are fine... as said above your shadowing is your problem. You need 2x of your lights or add some T5s to fill in the shadows.

[bws]

looks like its growing like crazy to me, just growing like crazy towards the light source

[Johnic]

Originally Posted by bws

looks like its growing like crazy to me, just growing like crazy towards the light source

It's def growing really well, growing toward light source is causing a weird look I need to correct.

Originally Posted by Indymann99

Your PAR numbers are fine... as said above your shadowing is your problem. You need 2x of your lights or add some T5s to fill in the shadows.

Interesting, I thought my par was terrible in looking at other tanks readings. I've seen par of 400-500 at top of tanks.
But yes, the shadowing is bad. I have a led/T5 light coming in. It's. 24" 6 bulb with 2 rows of led lights that should help. I do need to watch that I don't start out with too much par and burn my corals with the new light. Another reason why I took readings with old light.

[bws]

""I have a led/T5 light coming in. It's. 24" 6 bulb with 2 rows of led lights""... what are you going to do with that radion there? that is what that is int it?

i personaqlly will never go back to a halides or t 5's if you wanna sell that junky old led let me know i think they are awesome and love my pair

[Johnic]

i personaqlly will never go back to a halides or t 5's if you wanna sell that junky old led let me know i think they are awesome and love my pair

Why don't you like T5's?

[bws]

i like the adjustability and options of led's, i can change spectrums traveling sunsets..lunar phase.. what ever i want it to look like in my tank i can do easily . if i want to see it in 20 k i can do that in a matter of minutes if i wanna see it in actinics just hop on the computer and change it, super simple. let alone the fact i have never seen corals grow so fast as what i am seeing with these led's i have. its like putting miracle grow on them.

and dont forget the heat.. i get like no heat at all from leds, the fans actually blow cool air off them, compared to halides or even t'5.

[jminick2]

par doesn't matter PUR (Photosynthetically Useable Radiation) does .. Add more light to eliminate shadows and you get more regular growth. Classic LED issue here.

[Indymann99]

Dont get me wrong... I am no fan of T5's bulb changes, heat, higher power usage.

However, adding T5's to LEDs is a proven way to eliminate shadowing on "point source" (LED) tanks.

OR switch to LEDs that have a much wider spread of LEDs....

[Drae]

I usually don't get into lighting topics but in my opinion you're doing the right thing getting a t5/led hybrid. Post pics of your tank when you get it. When I get a new tank I'm definitely going with a hybrid.

[Johnic]

Originally Posted by Drae

I usually don't get into lighting topics but in my opinion you're doing the right thing getting a t5/led hybrid. Post pics of your tank when you get it. When I get a new tank I'm definitely going with a hybrid.

From doing research, I've seen that led/T5 seems the way to go. I'm not saying that it's the End all be all but it's the solution I choose.
I'll def post pics when I get it running. And I'll take new par readings.