Dunlager Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Hello, Long time lurker first time poster. I have started a nano tank (10 gallon 12x10x20). It's about 2 months old and I just upgraded the lighting to 2 API PAR38 half 15000k white half royal blue. I have another all roysl blue angled from the side for moon lighting. Have I over done it? Am I just right? Coral wise I only have 3 small mushrooms at the bottom but they don't seem happy with the new set up. Thoughts? Link to comment
evilc66 Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 For your main lighting, no, you aren't overdoing it. You may need to adjust the height of the lamps to make your corals happy though. You may want to describe exactly how they are reacting, as "don't seem happy" isn't very descriptive As for the all royal for the moonlight, if it's a PAR38, and it's not hung 6ft from the tank, then it's too much. Moonlighting should be only just enough light to see what's going on. Too much light, and the corals never get to rest, much like you and me. It's certainly possible that your moonlight is what's causing the coral irritation. Link to comment
Dunlager Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 The mushrooms have shriveled and one has bleach out some what. I moved the to a shadier spot to see how they go. I'll try axing the moonlight for awhile though and just use it to during the day to add some blur to the other two lights. Thank you sir! Link to comment
Exodus Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 The mushrooms have shriveled and one has bleach out some what. I moved the to a shadier spot to see how they go. I'll try axing the moonlight for awhile though and just use it to during the day to add some blur to the other two lights. Thank you sir! yeah bleaching is usually a sign of too much light, as evil stated you probably just need to adjust their height off the tank, bring them up like 8 or 9 " off the water line and give it a few and see how things react, then slowly inch them down. Link to comment
evilc66 Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 And by few, Exodus means weeks, not hours or days. With the corals stressed right now, it's going to take them a while to bounce back, so take the acclimation very slowly. At this point I would say to even move them up to a foot from the water and leave it there for at least two weeks to see how the mushrooms react to the change in light. Link to comment
Exodus Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 yes I could have been a bit more descriptive on that. I was in fact referencing weeks, bleached corals take awhile to come back, we have all made that mistake before. Link to comment
Dunlager Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 Here is the lighting set up. Now that I move the right one towards the left the mushrooms seem slightly happier. I wish I could move the lamps up but I'm limited by space. Anyone have any ideas on a light defuse to reduce the spotlight affect? Link to comment
Dunlager Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 Ugh pic too big. On moment... Link to comment
evilc66 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I think the best answer may be to remove the optics from each lamp. As they sit right now, the lamps are way too close, which is why your mushrooms are a little PO'd. Removing the optics will reduce the overall intensity considerably, as well as increasing your spread. Be careful though. Pay close attention as to whether the LED board is actually screwed down to the heatsink. Some manufacturers cheap out by actually using the pressure from the optics and the top cover on the LEDs to keep the LED board in place, as well as providing a thermal interface. If it's not screwed down, then you will have to leave the optics in place and start using a diffusing material. I think in this case where you need a fairly substantial reduction in intensity, paper might be the easiest to use to get a feel for what you need. There are tons of materials that you can use though, so get imaginative. Window privacy films come in a good assortment of styles. Velum paper (sold in art and office supply stores) can work too. Link to comment
Murphs_Reef Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 The mushrooms have shriveled and one has bleach out some what. I moved the to a shadier spot to see how they go. I'll try axing the moonlight for awhile though and just use it to during the day to add some blur to the other two lights. Thank you sir! Shrooms don't need much at all. Any shady areas? Caves etc? Link to comment
Dunlager Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 I was able to get the optics out. The lighting looks so much better now. Thank you all! Link to comment
Dunlager Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 Here is the updated led without optics. Link to comment
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