A few questions on lighting (intensity and spectrum)

telathas · 12/11/2017, 06:55 PM

Hey guys, I have just a generic 165w black box LED for my tank and I'm wondering if you folks could answer a few questions I have.

I've sort of been messing around with the intensity for a while and I'm wondering what you find is a good mix of whites and blues. Right now I'm running around 80% blues with 30% whites.

Also, this fixture in particular has a few red and green LEDs and I'm wondering if I should cover them over. I have read that the red LEDs can promote algae growth so I was looking for some input on that.

Thanks a lot!

Ron Reefman · 12/12/2017, 08:05 AM

Everything you said is true, but no a big deal.

More blue, less white is the better spread. I run 90/40. The zooxanthellae (algae inside your coral) uses blue to do photosynthesis which helps feed your coral. So blue is good.

White is to make it look more natural to your eyes, the corals almost don't care. Add white until you are happy with the look.

Red is used by coral, but they only use a little. They get it from the white leds, so the red and green leds may help, or they may provide too much and that CAN (not will) help grow algae. If you have an algae issue, cover the red leds with black electrical tape and dial back the white light even more for a few weeks. It can help.

None of this is life or death for the corals or the algae. It depends more on the individual tank and how it's maintained.

12/11/2017, 06:55 PM	#1
telathas Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 57	A few questions on lighting (intensity and spectrum) Hey guys, I have just a generic 165w black box LED for my tank and I'm wondering if you folks could answer a few questions I have. I've sort of been messing around with the intensity for a while and I'm wondering what you find is a good mix of whites and blues. Right now I'm running around 80% blues with 30% whites. Also, this fixture in particular has a few red and green LEDs and I'm wondering if I should cover them over. I have read that the red LEDs can promote algae growth so I was looking for some input on that. Thanks a lot!

12/12/2017, 08:05 AM	#2
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	Everything you said is true, but no a big deal. More blue, less white is the better spread. I run 90/40. The zooxanthellae (algae inside your coral) uses blue to do photosynthesis which helps feed your coral. So blue is good. White is to make it look more natural to your eyes, the corals almost don't care. Add white until you are happy with the look. Red is used by coral, but they only use a little. They get it from the white leds, so the red and green leds may help, or they may provide too much and that CAN (not will) help grow algae. If you have an algae issue, cover the red leds with black electrical tape and dial back the white light even more for a few weeks. It can help. None of this is life or death for the corals or the algae. It depends more on the individual tank and how it's maintained. __________________ 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