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Advice? Ratio of blue to white light.

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Easy E, Jun 9, 2018.

  1. Jun 9, 2018 #1
    Easy E Shellsburg, IA

    Easy E Novice Reefkeeper Leadership Team

    136
    Shellsburg, IA
    Ratings:
    +37 / 0 / -0
    Most of the photos I see on these forums from people who are successful at growing corals look very blue. My light has a blue and a white setting. The light is not real strong, so I assume I should set the blue at 100% but I'm wondering where to set the white. I'm also wondering how many hours per day to run it.
     
  2. Jun 9, 2018 #2
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    6,044
    Cedar Rapids, IA
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    +738 / 5 / -0
    The blue look is typically to make the colors pop more for pictures, also blue LEDs come through pretty strong unless you start using filters and things on your camera. So I wouldn't judge many photos to be a true representative to the colors as you would see them in real life.

    what kind of light do you have? Is it programmable to ramp up/down, or is it just an intensity you can set for each color and turn the light on and off?
    I would add enough white until you get something that looks pleasing to you visually. Then see how the corals react.
    As for how many hours I think most people would be at least 8-10 hours at "full" light on their tanks. Controllable lights you probably see that number stretched out a couple more hours for a sunrise and sunset ramp.
     
  3. Jun 9, 2018 #3
    Waterrat41 Des moines

    Waterrat41 Addicted Reefer GIRS Member

    298
    Des moines
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    @blackx-runner@blackx-runner pretty much summed it up but just to throw one thing out there. The club has PAR meters one can borrow and measure in your tank!...would recommend.
     
  4. Jun 11, 2018 #4
    Easy E Shellsburg, IA

    Easy E Novice Reefkeeper Leadership Team

    136
    Shellsburg, IA
    Ratings:
    +37 / 0 / -0
    I have a Current USA Orbit Marine LED. I've been told It's pretty weak for corals, but I can program it to precisely do whatever I want. I've been using a pre-programmed setting that ramps up for an hour, then runs at full intensity for 8 hours, then ramps back down for an hour. Full intensity looks more white than blue, so that's the reason for my question. I thought I might tweak it a little, and I was wondering where to set the percentage on the white. I'm getting a little film algae on the glass too, so I thought cutting back on the white might help with that.
     
  5. Jun 11, 2018 #5
    Easy E Shellsburg, IA

    Easy E Novice Reefkeeper Leadership Team

    136
    Shellsburg, IA
    Ratings:
    +37 / 0 / -0
    I'm working on a DIY clear mesh cover for my tank right now, but I may borrow the PAR meter once it's finished. I'm fascinated by test equipment, so that would be really fun to play with.
     
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2018
  6. Jun 14, 2018 #6
    jeffmr4 Marion, IA

    jeffmr4 Well-Known ReefKeeper GIRS Member

    304
    Marion, IA
    Ratings:
    +56 / 0 / -0
    A little less white light and more blue can help with algae issues.
     

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