Proper light distance help

WindyCityFlyer · 05/22/2013, 03:49 PM

Hey everyone, I have a quick question for you guys and gals. Ive had the 36" Marineland LED light over my tank for some time now. I have a Mr Aqua 12g long tank that is only about 9 inch deep and 36 inch long. I have the light which contains 31 white LEDs and 5 blue LEDs and a built in timer. The light right now is about 7 inchs about the tank, over the past week two test frags ive had have bleached and washed out, a Pink Birdsnest and a Green Slimer. Now my tanks is fairly new, but has great flow and parameters all checked out. Im assuming its the light having TOO MUCH power with such a low depth tank.

This is the light hanging chart that came on the box. With my tanks length and shallow depth what would be right height.

Question is what height should I raise it to?

TimeConsumer · 05/22/2013, 03:56 PM

I'd have to say that too much light is not the problem, it is likely too little light. According to that chart it is putting out 130 PAR at 12" directly under center. SPS can handle well over 1000 PAR without bleaching. 100 PAR is considered the absolute minimum for SPS.

WindyCityFlyer · 05/22/2013, 04:19 PM

So they will still bleach out like that for being to little light? hmm okay so youd recommend that I lower the light. Anyone else have and rec's for 36" lights for my tank? I like the built in timer for it to control both the blue and white lights...Im not too familiar with the reef controllers but over all I love the ablility to adjust both the blue and white lights.

WindyCityFlyer · 05/23/2013, 05:32 AM

Bump*

05/22/2013, 03:49 PM	#1
WindyCityFlyer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Fort Bragg Posts: 190	Proper light distance help Hey everyone, I have a quick question for you guys and gals. Ive had the 36" Marineland LED light over my tank for some time now. I have a Mr Aqua 12g long tank that is only about 9 inch deep and 36 inch long. I have the light which contains 31 white LEDs and 5 blue LEDs and a built in timer. The light right now is about 7 inchs about the tank, over the past week two test frags ive had have bleached and washed out, a Pink Birdsnest and a Green Slimer. Now my tanks is fairly new, but has great flow and parameters all checked out. Im assuming its the light having TOO MUCH power with such a low depth tank. This is the light hanging chart that came on the box. With my tanks length and shallow depth what would be right height. Question is what height should I raise it to?

05/22/2013, 03:56 PM	#2
TimeConsumer Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Orleans, La Posts: 1,919	I'd have to say that too much light is not the problem, it is likely too little light. According to that chart it is putting out 130 PAR at 12" directly under center. SPS can handle well over 1000 PAR without bleaching. 100 PAR is considered the absolute minimum for SPS. __________________ Steve - Retired from reefing, for now.

05/22/2013, 04:19 PM	#3
WindyCityFlyer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Fort Bragg Posts: 190	So they will still bleach out like that for being to little light? hmm okay so youd recommend that I lower the light. Anyone else have and rec's for 36" lights for my tank? I like the built in timer for it to control both the blue and white lights...Im not too familiar with the reef controllers but over all I love the ablility to adjust both the blue and white lights.

05/23/2013, 05:32 AM	#4
WindyCityFlyer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Fort Bragg Posts: 190	Bump*