How Much Is Too Much

[heath]

just wanted feedback from the experts ( you guys) on how much if any is too much light for a coral tank.
I have a 30 gal coral tank and I am running a T5 quad. the light sits directly on the tank, should it be raised and how long should I run the lights. did some reading and found conflicting information.
looking for feedback

 

[EricTMah]

You're always going to get different answers concerning this subject.

You're going to find that some lighting schedules will work for some but not all. It all depends on your system and what corals you're keeping. I think a good general rule for lighting would be 3-5watts per gal, and roughly 8-12 hours of lighting.

I usually recommend when changing the photo period of your lights, to leave them at one setting for at least 1-2 weeks and just keep an eye on your corals. Are they losing or gaining color? Are they expanding more or less? Also when changing your lighting, don't go too extreme at one time or you may end up bleaching some corals.

It's really a balancing act with good coral growth and color vs. how much algae is growing in your system.

 

[heath]

thank you, I wondered because I have some bleaching on my mushrooms. now will the colour come back or have I destroyed them?

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Id turn off one set of lights, and see if that helps..if not check your params. But i ran 5 t5s on my 46gal with no ill effects..

 

[EricTMah]

That's good advice from RK420

I would check your parameters regardless. It's tough to bleach mushrooms and 4 T5's don't seem like enough light to bleach.

 

[heath]

I checked my parameters last weekend and they are; n02- 0.3, ph-.8, nh3-.25,salanity-1.022. I use the tetra test kit, when its time to buy another kit I'm going to get a red sea kit, I've heard good reviews about them.
any thoughts or suggestions

 

[EricTMah]

You should be checking phosphates, calcium and dkh. Those are the most important.

And did you mean NO3 not NO2?

NO2 is nitrite. And that's a pretty high number for nitrites

 

[EricTMah]

Oh. And magnesium is also important

 

[heath]

thanks for the suggestion, I guess its time now for a new test kit.

 

[EricTMah]

So was it actually NO2?

I'd go with salifert. Good test kits and good price too.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Id get ur salinity up to at least 1.024 slowly..then to 1.026 IMHO. But 1.025 would suffice..ur probably stressig them out at that level..