Lighting intensity for soft corals

[silvra]

I've been running my 40-gallon tank with soft corals under moderate lighting, but they don't seem to be thriving. My T5s are on for 8 hours a day, and I'm using a PAR meter to keep it around 100–150. Anyone have tips on adjusting the intensity or photoperiod?

[lynxfang]

I've been running my 40-gallon tank with soft corals under moderate lighting, but they don't seem to be thriving. My T5s are on for 8 hours a day, and I'm using a PAR meter to keep it around 100–150. Anyone have tips on adjusting the intensity or photoperiod?

Softies like mushrooms and leathers can handle lower light, but 100–150 PAR is solid. Maybe cut the photoperiod to 6 hours and see if they perk up. What's your nutrient load like? High nitrates can mess with their vibe.

[Lipig]

I had the same issue with my Zoanthids. Turns out they were getting too much blue spectrum. Dialed it back to 30% blue, 70% white, and they're way happier now. Also, how old are your bulbs? T5s lose intensity after about 9 months.

[buzzline]

Yep, old bulbs can totally throw things off. I replace mine every 8 months just to be safe. Also, soft corals don't need crazy light—they're pretty chill. Maybe try reducing the intensity by 10% and see how they react over a week.

[Finley11]

Yep, old bulbs can totally throw things off. I replace mine every 8 months just to be safe. Also, soft corals don't need crazy light—they're pretty chill. Maybe try reducing the intensity by 10% and see how they react over a week.

Agreed. Soft corals are forgiving, but consistency matters. If you're tweaking settings, do it gradually. Sudden changes can stress them out. What's your water flow like? Low flow + high light can cause issues too.

[luminah]

My Kenya Tree was acting weird until I moved it to a shadier spot. Now it's thriving. Sometimes less is more, ya know? Maybe play around with placement before messing with the lights.

[duskore]

I'd second the nutrient check. High phosphates can make corals look dull even if the light is perfect. Test your water and see if that's the culprit.

[silvra]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll test my nutrients and try reducing the photoperiod first. Appreciate the help!

[steven45]

Honestly, I think you're overcomplicating it. Soft corals are hard to kill. Just leave the lights as is and focus on water quality. They'll bounce back.

[dorvil9]

Yeah, my softies do fine under basic LED strips. Maybe your PAR meter's giving you sketchy readings? Try eyeballing it for a bit.