Advice on how high to hang my AI Sols

Chronicj7 · 08/08/2013, 08:54 PM

I have two AI Sol Blue models over my 40b which is stocked with SPS. I have been struggling with colors in my corals and am thinking it my lighting. Currently the LED's have all 70 degree optics on them and are sitting about 12" away from the water surface. I run them from at 25% W/ 35% B/ 35% RB with 180m ramp up/down time for 12 hours. I am also supplementing a little red with a 2 bulb t5 fixture with 2 ATI Purple bulbs which are only on for 4 hours a day at peak.

Should I lower the percentage or raise it? Its tough decision as some corals have nice color, some are a bit lighter than they should be and a few are a lighter brown. I run a ULNS system and my water parameters are spot on.

Ron Reefman · 08/09/2013, 04:29 AM

You really need a PAR meter. Any 'raise' or 'lower' replies are just doing what you are doing, guessing. You said it's a tough decision, what makes you think people with no experience with your tank, and your corals will know better than you? Even just borrow one for an hour. Or consider the Seneye system which has an inexpensive PAR meter built in (I think it's only about $100). I don't know how good it is, but it's better than guessing... or asking people who don't know anything about your system. Just my opinion.

Chronicj7 · 08/09/2013, 01:17 PM

Good point. I have asked around locally for a PAR meter and nobody seems to have one I can borrow.

moulton712 · 08/09/2013, 07:06 PM

I had a sol above a 40 breeder and did about what you did. The corals were browning out. So I ramp up only for an hour to 80% and ramp down for an hour. 8 hours total. Coral colors are better then when I bought them and I notice a ton more growth. 2 lights are mostly to spread max par

OCCOFNY · 08/10/2013, 05:15 PM

I would definitely increase the intensity over time. If you are using the new controller use the acclimation feature and raise the % up over a length of time.

Chronicj7 · 08/11/2013, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moulton712

I had a sol above a 40 breeder and did about what you did. The corals were browning out. So I ramp up only for an hour to 80% and ramp down for an hour. 8 hours total. Coral colors are better then when I bought them and I notice a ton more growth. 2 lights are mostly to spread max par

I'm confused by what you mean. You ramp up for an hour to 80% and leave it at 80% for 6 hours and ramp down? Or you ramp up to 80% and ramp down after an hour?

I'm running 2 AI Sol's the recommended way over the tank now and I just raised them and added the factory optics from the 70 degree's all the way around. I'm still using the old controller. I reduced to 35% w/30% b/30% rb and the light is hanging 12" above the water.

carmexx · 08/12/2013, 12:32 AM

I was running 2 sol's on my 46 bowfront for a few months til i upgraded. I never went over the 60% theshold in fear that i may bleach coral. Softies had been doing great SPS had some color and PE. I am not taking any chances. I think over 65 is to much for my tank. BTW they were with all 70 degree optics.

carmexx · 08/12/2013, 12:35 AM

oops, sorry i never did answer your question...I had them about 7 inches off the water and i have black egg crate covering the tank so there was some diffusion of light.

08/08/2013, 08:54 PM	#1
Chronicj7 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 353	Advice on how high to hang my AI Sols I have two AI Sol Blue models over my 40b which is stocked with SPS. I have been struggling with colors in my corals and am thinking it my lighting. Currently the LED's have all 70 degree optics on them and are sitting about 12" away from the water surface. I run them from at 25% W/ 35% B/ 35% RB with 180m ramp up/down time for 12 hours. I am also supplementing a little red with a 2 bulb t5 fixture with 2 ATI Purple bulbs which are only on for 4 hours a day at peak. Should I lower the percentage or raise it? Its tough decision as some corals have nice color, some are a bit lighter than they should be and a few are a lighter brown. I run a ULNS system and my water parameters are spot on. __________________ __________________ 40b SPS dominated 2x AI Sol Blue 2x mp10 W es Zeovit Method

08/09/2013, 04:29 AM	#2
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	You really need a PAR meter. Any 'raise' or 'lower' replies are just doing what you are doing, guessing. You said it's a tough decision, what makes you think people with no experience with your tank, and your corals will know better than you? Even just borrow one for an hour. Or consider the Seneye system which has an inexpensive PAR meter built in (I think it's only about $100). I don't know how good it is, but it's better than guessing... or asking people who don't know anything about your system. Just my opinion. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

08/09/2013, 01:17 PM	#3
Chronicj7 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 353	Good point. I have asked around locally for a PAR meter and nobody seems to have one I can borrow. __________________ __________________ 40b SPS dominated 2x AI Sol Blue 2x mp10 W es Zeovit Method

08/09/2013, 07:06 PM	#4
moulton712 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 34	I had a sol above a 40 breeder and did about what you did. The corals were browning out. So I ramp up only for an hour to 80% and ramp down for an hour. 8 hours total. Coral colors are better then when I bought them and I notice a ton more growth. 2 lights are mostly to spread max par

08/10/2013, 05:15 PM	#5
OCCOFNY Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Newburgh, NY Posts: 59	I would definitely increase the intensity over time. If you are using the new controller use the acclimation feature and raise the % up over a length of time.

08/12/2013, 12:32 AM	#7
carmexx Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Norristown, PA Posts: 113	I was running 2 sol's on my 46 bowfront for a few months til i upgraded. I never went over the 60% theshold in fear that i may bleach coral. Softies had been doing great SPS had some color and PE. I am not taking any chances. I think over 65 is to much for my tank. BTW they were with all 70 degree optics.

08/12/2013, 12:35 AM	#8
carmexx Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Norristown, PA Posts: 113	oops, sorry i never did answer your question...I had them about 7 inches off the water and i have black egg crate covering the tank so there was some diffusion of light.