Lighting for 8 inch deep frag tank? Am I going overboard?

[Treehrtsme]

Recently put an xr30 g5 blue on an AIO 24g 24x24x8. Along with this change I had a bit of a separate crash in parameters due to a shipment of unhealthy corals and nems but even before my parameters went out of whack it seemed that going ab+ at more than 20 percent was causing polyps to recede and potential damage. Mostly LPS softies and some lower maintenance SPS but just considering what par should be mounted 8 inch above surface I'm wondering if I should swap lights to an xr15 or go with something that gives me more mounting options. First time using a radion. All my best lps and softies have been thriving in longer established tanks with kessils

Regardless, of my current parameters which are close to being stable again, what do you guys think about the choice of lighting? For me this is the first time I've had a tank this shallow and I can't really adjust the mount height, only turn down the power. I was just curious if I could potentially bleach coral or need to be cautious with light acclimation? I've heard a lot of opinions towards less can be more in terms of par recently.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Recently put an xr30 g5 blue on an AIO 24g 24x24x8. Along with this change I had a bit of a separate crash in parameters due to a shipment of unhealthy corals and nems but even before my parameters went out of whack it seemed that going ab+ at more than 20 percent was causing polyps to recede and potential damage. Mostly LPS softies and some lower maintenance SPS but just considering what par should be mounted 8 inch above surface I'm wondering if I should swap lights to an xr15 or go with something that gives me more mounting options. First time using a radion. All my best lps and softies have been thriving in longer established tanks with kessils

Regardless, of my current parameters which are close to being stable again, what do you guys think about the choice of lighting? For me this is the first time I've had a tank this shallow and I can't really adjust the mount height, only turn down the power. I was just curious if I could potentially bleach coral or need to be cautious with light acclimation? I've heard a lot of opinions towards less can be more in terms of par recently.

You will have to reduce power but ideal would be raising the height by hanging the light versus using a bracket.

 

[Treehrtsme]

You will have to reduce power but ideal would be raising the height by hanging the light versus using a bracket.

That was a though though would that not have to be a diy solution? Also would it be easier to just move down to an xr15 or use a different light if I'm concerned?

 

[Reefering1]

Agree, raise the light higher. You will get better blending and can always lower them more more intensity if the need ever arises. Fwiw, this hobby was built on diy

 

[Treehrtsme]

I absolutely know. I make most of all my tanks and sumps. It's just hanging is a little more difficult because I'm going to have to hope I can center it while still getting it screwed into the ceiling where the joists are. Then I'll probably have to do something to help with light spill but I wish they'd made a more adjustable mount. Then again I could get together some plywood and drill it into the back of the stand to raise it a few inches and just Mount to that

 

[Reefering1]

You can hang it and use a piece of fishing line to pull it towards center. A 10" "lampshade " around it would do alot for light spill... or you could just lower the intensity, i guess

 

[Treehrtsme]

Yeah I have lowered intensity, one problem is having it so close to the water and with the current I'm getting a lot of evaporation I can come up with something I'm sure

 

[Reefering1]

Yea, sounds like you would need to raise it. Just a guess but try about 18-20" above the water

 

[Treehrtsme]

Yea, sounds like you would need to raise it. Just a guess but try about 18-20" above the water

Yikes that's gonna be some crazy light spill. Even with a shade.

I originally got a Radeon because it seems to be industry standard and The only big name I never tried. I can always put it on a larger tank but I'm still considering a xr15. I'm pretty sure I can hook it up with a xho kit to a kessil mount. The only reason I care about light spills because it's in my bedroom and all the blue light gets my head coming juiced up before I'm trying to go to bed.



Has anyone had success with lower hanging bars for a smaller frag tank? Ik blades would be good, but also expensive if I have to buy multiple, and orpheks have I believe 90 degree lens