PAR measurements in lagoon 25

[MarcosTacos]

Hi, I recently rented a par meter after rearranging my scape and raising my lights.

I found that my montipora's were turning brownish and might have needed some more light. I was right, since I measured only 160 par on my highest point and around 130 on average around the tank. I since raised my blues from 65 to 100% and whites from 20 to 40%, reds stay at 10% and greens at 5%. My light is an ASAQUA / Aquanest Aquamax M60 (Basically a double M8).

Here are my new par measurements, I am mainly planning to keep LPS, but might add some easy SPS like plating monti and bali slimer.

I would like some input / thoughts! Thank you!

PS: Currently battling dinos and will reduce light a bit for the time being, I just want to know for the future.

 

[Spare time]

Brown coral is healthy in some ways (lots of zooxanthellae). In wild reefs, seeing "colorful" coral is often a sign the coral is on the edge of being a live vs dead (hence why ULNS are not popular anymore imo). Montipora also doesn't need super strong lighting and the values you mentioned were fine from my experience. However, brown can be caused by low lighting. Keep in mind that par values are not equal across lights. 200 with heavy blue is far more powerful than 200 with a "white" spectrum. Some say high phosphate and available nitrogen can cause this issue too.

BTW what kind of montipora is it?

 

[Spare time]

PS reducing light won't do much for dinos imo. If you can grow algae/coral with a light, you can grow dinos.

 

[MarcosTacos]

It's a forest fire montipora digitata.

I had low phosphates and low nitrates and the montis turned brown. I don't think the nutrients are what is causing this color change.

Like I said, I do run 40% whites but also 100% blues.