What's more beneficial for lps growth

[boxreef]

I've got a 125g reef tank and I'm struggling to get my LPS to grow at the rate I want. They're growing, just not as fast as I'd like. My lighting setup is a Reefbreeders 48" LED, so I'm wondering what's the best approach - more whites or more blues?

My parameters are:
Ph 8.2
Alk 11dkh
Cal 440
Mag 1200
Temp 78

I've been trying to figure out the best lighting balance for my corals.

[_frostbite]

I've got the same lights on my 90g, 4 footer. Most of my LPS are down low, in the sand. The light's about 2 feet above the tank, 24-27 inches deep. I've got my blues maxed out around 60-65% during the day, whites at 30%. I did notice they grew faster when my alk was stable at 8.5, might just be my tank though. I target feed, and my mag's always been around 1360. Calc's similar to yours.

[zenoxa]

I'd say more whites than blues works better for LPS growth, in my experience. But to be honest, it's not just about the lighting - your alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium levels need to be consistently within range too.

[_goldfin]

I'd say more whites than blues works better for LPS growth, in my experience. But to be honest, it's not just about the lighting - your alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium levels need to be consistently within range too.

I'd actually suggest sticking with a blue-white ratio similar to what _frostbite mentioned, given that LPS are typically found in deeper waters where blue light dominates. Adding more white LEDs could be too intense for them.

On a personal note, I've found that most LPS tend to do better under T5s than LEDs, but that's a whole different conversation for another time.

[zenoxa]

The OP's corals might be struggling due to a predominantly blue spectrum. If that's the case, I'd argue that adding more white light would be the way to go - it just makes sense to balance things out that way.

[_frostbite]

Start by sharing your current lighting settings, that's where I'd begin. Target feeding once or twice a week can make a difference as well.

[Finwise]

First off, be happy they're growing. Before tweaking the lights, I'd experiment with adjusting your water parameters, specifically alkalinity. It's possible they're getting too much light, which can hinder growth. I've got two reefbreeder units and noticed a boost in growth from all my corals after dialing down the intensity.

[_frostbite]

I'm running my fixture 24-30 inches above the tank, with my first sps about 8-10 inches from the water line - that's my red planet. Judging by the color he's showing, I'm pretty sure I'm at the right output with 60% blue and 30% white. My tank's 27 inches deep, and the acans on the bottom are in direct light, but they aren't fading - they've got a nice deep color to them and are growing at a good pace. I guess growth rates are all relative, but my one acan sprouted 6 new heads in 4 months, although skeletal growth is slow. I'd say my feeding is medium, with spot feeding for the lps once or twice a week. My params are 440 calc, 8.4 dkh, and 1360 mag.

[finnix25]

It'd be helpful to know the specific types of LPS you're working with - the term is pretty broad and lighting needs can vary significantly. In my opinion, your growth issues are more likely related to your parameters than anything else.

Your alkalinity is a bit higher than what most LPS prefer, and your magnesium levels are off compared to your calcium. I'm assuming you're dosing calcium and adding buffer as well. If your magnesium to calcium ratio is off, this could lead to pH issues, which might be why you're adding buffer. From my experience, LPS are particularly sensitive to alkalinity fluctuations. It's generally better to aim for a consistent 8-9 dkh range rather than trying to "chase" it with buffer. For calcium, 400-450 is a good target, but that means your magnesium should be in the 1250-1400 range. Remember, only dose what you test.

A good quality salt with balanced parameters can make a big difference. I've found that with a relatively small coral load, I can get away with 20% water changes every 10-14 days, with a small two-part dose in between, and my parameters never fluctuate more than 3%. Starting with a good salt is definitely the cheaper option in the long run.

[Fablex8]

I'd say more whites than blues works better for LPS growth, in my experience. But to be honest, it's not just about the lighting - your alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium levels need to be consistently within range too.

I'd actually suggest sticking with a blue-white ratio similar to what _frostbite mentioned, given that LPS are typically found in deeper waters where blue light dominates. Adding more white LEDs could be too intense for them.

On a personal note, I've found that most LPS tend to do better under T5s than LEDs, but that's a whole different conversation for another time.

I disagree, I have an LPS that thrives under intense morning light for 2 hours daily. The rest of the day it's under Kessil A350s, 20 inches from the light source. Type of LPS can greatly impact their lighting needs, so what kind are we talking about here?