Reef tank lighting schedule - What is the ideal spectrum program for your LED lights? | Reef FAQs

Aquarium LED lights have a TON of color options...How the heck do you know where to set them?!? This Reef FAQ has the answer!
#ReefFAQs
More related videos from BRStv!
➡ The full Orpek LED testing results : brs.li/BRStv_Orphek_Testing
➡ Radion XR15 PAR, Spectrum, MORE : brs.li/BRStv_RadionXR15_Testing
➡ EcoTech AB+ Spectrum for Hydra LEDs : brs.li/BRStv_ABPlus_HydraLED
Community Links!
➡ This topic on R2R: brs.li/R2R_ProperLED_Spectrum
➡ BRS R2R Sponsor Page: brs.li/BRS_R2R_Sponsor
➡ BRS on Instagram : brs.li/BRS_Instagram
➡ #AskBRStv Facebook Group: brs.li/AskBRStv_Facebook
Related Reef Gear!
➡ LED Lighting by Kessil : brs.li/BRS_Kessil_LEDs
➡ EcoTech Radion LEDs : brs.li/BRS_EcoTech_LEDs
➡ Orphek panel lighting LED : brs.li/BRS_Orphek_LEDs
On BRStv Reef FAQs we're all about quick and straight to the point answers for questions that reefers ask all the time, in an effort to help make your reefing life a bit more fun and easy!
Legal Stuff
The purpose and content of this video is to provide general information regarding the products and their applications as presented in the video. Aquatic Sales Solutions, Inc. and its officers, directors, employees and agents disclaim all express or implied warranties, in any way, related to the products and their application as presented in this video, make no representation or warranty regarding the products and the application as presented in this video and shall not be liable for any direct or indirect losses or damages of any type, including but not limited to punitive damages, or from personal injury or death resulting from or in any manner related to the video, and the products in and contents of the video. The viewer expressly agrees that Aquatic Sales Solutions, Inc. and its officers, directors, employees and agents shall not be liable for any damages or losses related to the products in and content of the video and hereby agrees to hold the foregoing harmless from any such losses or damages.

[@picklemetimbers3003]

I love how you go through all the small details. You have saved me so much time throughout my decade of reefing. Thanks BRS!!

[@Messier87_M87]

I would be lost without this channel. Thank you very much for sharing your valuable knowledge. I just got back into this hobby after 10 years and i can't believe all the advancements in technology. I was running hqi metal halides on my 125 gallon reef tank years ago and now its all led. So awesome!

[@dreamnight-mq1zg]

You guys are doing a great thing with these videos by helping the whole reefing community . BRS is my go to source when it comes to gaining more reefing knowledge and looking for a straightforward answer that solves many of my reefing issues. You guys are the best on KZbin. We’d all be lost without you guys. Thank you for everything you guys are doing for all of us.

[@DrewJersey2024]

I found this video to be the best I've come across so far, "resist the urge to flip the switches"...I know that struggle all too well. Thanks so much for making this

[@jacobpoucher]

love the air/fuel ratio analogy great vid.

[@luizmakesvideos]

Thanks for another awesome video!

[@williamwiese9963]

Just finished setting up my 120gallon today, I need a video with hydra 52s my tank came with 2 of them👍 great video guys❤️

[@harlanmichael7088]

Thanks for the advice! Great video!

[@CoralReefKeepers]

Slide and pray! Ha! I love it.

[@raj21rai]

Great video!! I will get rid of the cap😜

[@jaxsonvayro4603]

Awesome info thank you

[@timm5358]

I wish BRS could make a video about the maxspect RSX settings to mimic a proven spectrum blend.. I struggle with finding the right settings as it has 4 different channels

[@willyreef6509]

Que preset o configuración aconsejas para una hydra 52 hd para lps y sps??tengo un acuario cubo .

[@candykanefpv98]

I think at the very least they should include an average good middle of the ground levels for each color spectrum as a starting point.

[@guilhermemendes788]

Hi, I want to build a DIY 3w LED light for a marine aquarium which has 160cm x 60 cm x 60cm . How many of the 3w Leds will be enough to light up the tank to the SDS demands? And more important wich % of Royal Blue, Blue, UV, White 10k to use? Thanks for the help!

[@dangrubb7437]

On the AI Prime I have is 32 Nano what percentage do you like on the UV and what percentage on the whites. Mix reef tank

[@johnchambers648]

What happens if you have a led in the aquarium hood and do not want a open top aquarium?

[@williamwiese9963]

Is there a place where I can download a preset spectrum and time to incorporate it to my app spectrum saved spots?

[@jasonthompson8147]

Hey was listening and heard discussions about the CO2 made from a protein skimmer. Was wondering if anyone had thought about putting that liquid through a calcium reactor. See if you can get something from that CO2.

[@skeptics_reef5575]

Now I have had an idea, we know it's bad to switch programmes, in short spaces of time, but with various schedules available like the AI signature series, if the one you are currently using isn't working switching is inevitable..so.. what companies could/should do is create a "morph" feature where you can morph from one schedule to another over an extended period of time, kind of like aclimatisation mode but fancier... now I'm not sure if or how this would be possible but would be a great way to change schedules while minimizing stress as much as possible due to making the change slowly

[@eddiefierro5227]

Im with you bro... ove been thinking a very similar idea... they have famous reefers spectrum settings at the AI website, we should b able to download a MORPH for saying on to owr setting without the hazel os moving the tabs...

[@EpicMudbud]

If im going with a 2/4 bulb T5 and LED mix, what is optimal colors for each? Should T5 be blue/mixed/white etc, and should LED compliment the T5 or be on the opposite spectrum?

[@clsanchez77]

I have a different approach. I use two T5's and 4 Hydra 26's (old style). For lighting coloration, I followed the EcoTech Coral Labs guide for Spectrum AB, which is based on 20% AquaBlue Special and 80% Blue Plus. My tank is primarily LPS. Since I only have 2 T5 bulbs, I went with a single Blue Plus and a single Coral Plus setup. Since the Coral Plus bulb is tuned to 40% AquaBlue Special, 50% Blue Plus and 10% other, I ended up between the two bulbs at 20% AquaBlue Special, 75% Blue Plus and 5% other. The "other" is Purple Plus I believe. It's a wonderful color. For the Hydra26's, I emulated the same spectrum as described in the white paper. I had to adjust it a bit as I have the old style Hydra26's and the paper is written around the Radions Gen 3. The BRS video referenced in above is based on the Hydra26 HD's, so I could not use that one either. My final numbers for the 'blue component' are 60% UV, 60% Violet, 40% Royal Blue and 60% Deep Blue. These numbers stay constant all day. I then vary the 'white component' throughout the day along with intensity (as suggested in the video lol) at 6% cool white, 12% green and 12% red. Again mostly LPS, so the greens and reds are especially useful. I find around 15% to 20%, the disco effect in the video becomes apparent. At 12%, it is not noticeable. You can read the white paper yourself here: ecotechmarine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/ReefWholesale_CoralLab.pdf

[@DKfir-re5ec]

If I have SPS reef tank , do you really think that I really should provide T5 bulbs too, or I can achieve best results just with the Hydra led without any combination with T5 light?

[@BRStv]

For SPS T5 is great as it's coverage has a blanketing effect. This is helpful when SPS are growing out. You can definitely grow SPS with Hydra fixtures, but I would make sure you have coverage after accounting for the SPS growth.

[@user-oe3dv2gh5p]

I have a question? i am just running fish in my 150 gallonb tank and had metal halides which are not available anymore so have purchases AI LED lights. There are lots of info on reef spectrums but not many that I can find on just fish only tanks and what kind of spectrum percentages to run. Can you point me in the right direction to find this kind of informnation?

[@RobertoPerez-jl9bs]

What light settings will u suggest for the ai hydra 32 for coral growth .?

[@BRStv]

Check out Randy's Hydra 32 setup video for our BRS recommended settings :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/nILCYqyHnrN8msU

[@oxiac6006]

my tank has too much light and its just white and red and green and little blue but mostly white and i dont like it like that and i cant change it:C

[@shane6450]

Hey guys, I have a waterbox 165.6 it’s 72x24x16. It’s a shallow tank and I have two large arches as the scape. I have 3 AI Hydras, how should I program them for mixed/mostly SPS tank? I’m new to SPS and have had success with some easy ones in my other tank. For a shallow tank what do you recommend? I keep flipping switches because I can’t find the right look. I have mainly UV, Violet, and Royal blue up at around 80% with 3% white. Should I go stronger? Thanks guys.

[@BRStv]

That'll depend on which Hydra fixture you have. I would suggest seeing if there is a Randy set up guide video for your particular fixture and take that data into account. Without a PAR meter, we're making our best educated guess. Hydra 64 setup guide: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6iopKZul8qGpMk Hydra 32 setup guide: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nILCYqyHnrN8msU

[@jennanation6992]

I am going to add two 95 watt leds to a 20 L zoa and shroom frag tank. I know its overkill but the spread isnt enough since its 30 wide. I dont want it to high either thinking about 8 inches. Should I turn the blues way down to 40 or 50 and whites to 10 at most I know a lot go 100 blues 20 whites. I have a seneye but wont work! I have yet to install leds! I have lots of highend zoas and shrooms going in there and hate to rent a par since I have a seneye but some reason I cant get par meter to work!

[@BRStv]

Sounds like you're on the right track with the lighting intensity. Not sure which fixture you're using, but about half (or even a bit less) in the intensity department will be good. Softies don't require very much light (75-150 PAR if you rent a PAR meter or get your Seneye up and running).

[@Mark72Jayden05]

Hi all I’ve got a 6ft African cichlid tank with radion xr led lights and trying to grow Anubis plants. Has anyone got a good light schedule to set it up.? Thanks in advance

[@BRStv]

Although we are big fans of the freshwater tanks, our focus is on saltwater and corals. I wish we had an answer for you, but freshwater just isn't our focus. :)

[@vt6072]

So I have a 13.5 gallon tank what would be the best light set up for a bubble tip anemone and a candycane coral and Zoanthids?

[@BRStv]

Check out the AI Prime. Relatively affordable, super easy to use, and perfect for a tank of this size. www.bulkreefsupply.com/prime-16-hd-led-reef-light-black-body-aqua-illumination.html

[@jennanation6992]

Can warm whites that are to yellow looking cause algae? I have lots of gha that wont stay gone and I even cut lights back to acclimation mode! I notice that there are times of the day the tank looks very yellow and my corals react and close up. I even covered the warm white with electrical tape to no avail! My phosphate stay around 0.03 so thats not it! I am getting new lights. I thought aquatic illumination would be a good choice for s strip light since I only have 5 inches of clearance above tank due to kitchen cabinets! It dosnt have a sepearte channel for wqarm whites either so when I run whites they are just to yellow!

[@BRStv]

It can be a contributing factor, but in the case where nutrients are at a reasonable level (mainly talking about phosphates), it's usually more of an herbivore or maintenance problem. In other words, the algae may not have enough natural predators like urchins, tangs, crabs, snails, and microfauna like pods. This coupled with manually removing the algae during water changes will go a long way.

[@mnelson10000]

What brand/model of AIO tank is that at 4:33? Thanks

[@mnelson10000]

@patsorsox Thanks!

[@aquapucci]

Good evening BRS! Where can I find the AB+ preset for AI prime HD? Thank you in advance!

[@BRStv]

Here is our setup guide video for the Prime 16: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3mVn6adp92iiKs

[@BRStv]

If you have the previous generation Prime model, you'll want to use the settings from this video instead: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jF6olJSAbZt7qLc

[@ljcorner7393]

I’m struggling with the ai prime app right now

[@nemopercula5767]

Hi guys, I bought Hydra 52 HD. I will be keeping Lps Sps and softies mixed tank. Please help me to setup my light. Just want to know others successful spectrum they have setup.

[@BRStv]

This video should be able to help with setting the spectrum for your Hydra. (: www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/can-you-create-radions-ab-spectrum-on-ai-hyrdras-ask-brstv/

[@philipthebong]

at 1:53 the tank is gorgeous, but i see a little bit of diatoms on the sand bed. Is that normal? All of my levels are ideal, but i'll still get that same algae on the sand bed, and it prevents me from wanting to take full tank shots. Should i just learn to live with it?

[@BRStv]

A little build up is completely normal. That said, a sand bed full of diatoms isn't normal for an established tank, but they are pretty common for tanks under a year old. With regular maintenance and keeping good water quality, they tend to go away on their own with time.

[@dr.vinnyboombatz22]

My 108 is 3 months old and I had a huge outbreak. Brown hair algae covered most of the sand bed. Bought a Pincushion based on multiple peoples advice. Nothing. Then did a ton of research. Bought a Yellow Eyed Kole Tang. At first it ignored it. By day 3 he started picking at it. By day 5 it was all gone, and has not come back since. It also took care of everything on the live rock.

[@matthewbaidya8976]

Just got my ai prime 16hd today. How do I get the ab+ spectrum? Please help anyone. Thanks in advance 😊

[@BRStv]

Check out our Prime 16 setup guide video :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3mVn6adp92iiKs

[@austinbassin4420]

Anyone know how long this setting should run?

[@deusarlenu6185]

9 to 11 hours 1 hour going up and down

[@darenbrown3527]

Best settings for an Ai prime 16 HD

[@chrisbooth1374]

Do you mean ab plus setting is the best for the 16hd

[@bradwood1253]

Ok Ryan, new hat brother.. lol

[@jaywhat8126]

Brad Wood Seriously man, its not a top hat 😂

[@oxiac6006]

Should I have a 3000 liters per hour power head in my 55 gallon tank?

[@TattooedDancer91]

yes, two might even be better

[@oxiac6006]

TattooedDancer91 I got a 555 gallon output to the sump and I also got a 450 gph powerhead in there too

[@TattooedDancer91]

@@oxiac6006 Well you do you. If everything is not moving in a current in the tank, flow is too low imo. More flow is usually better.

[@oxiac6006]

BulkReefSupplyCom so two of them in a 185 gallon tank would be not enough flow?

[@TattooedDancer91]

@@oxiac6006 watch episode 10 of the brstv/wwc hybrid system on flow. It's great insight.

[@austinbassin4420]

I just ordered 2 of these but didnt even think to ask if I can run 2 from my phone together as one?

[@BRStv]

It'll depend on the brand you picked, but most LED fixtures have the ability to link two lights together.

[@austinbassin4420]

@@BRStv its the AI prime 16 HD s

[@iangray7674]

Austin Bassin' yes you can with those. you will set the first one up as the “parent” light and the second will be the “child”. your child light will mimic all the settings you input to the parent light

[@Botzz28]

Should I use the red and greens at all?

[@BRStv]

We usually mix in a very low amount of both red and green spectrum, depending on the particular light fixture. For example, for the Hydra 32 LED's, our BRS recommended spectrum includes 10% red and 10% green.

[@Botzz28]

@@BRStv I have the kessil a360x.. should I mix in some red and green ?

[@brymac1227]

@@Botzz28 I run my reds and greens on my kessils at 100%. I get great color rendition that way.

[@Botzz28]

@@brymac1227 you don’t get a lot of algae growth from that ?

[@brymac1227]

@@Botzz28 No more than I had before turning them up. I don’t get much nuisance algae growth on my rock because I have a good clean up crew.

[@davycrockett6378]

Talked for 10 min and I still dont know what settings to use.

[@BRStv]

Sorry to hear that. If you have questions specific to your light fixture, feel free to ask here or give our customer service team a call. We're here to help!

[@redyoukai]

My thoughts exactly 😩

[@percula1000]

Blablabla , and i still don’t know how to set my ai ……😢

[@red149]

Sorry but as a beginner I find this too much information and almost no direction . It would be nice if you could come up with answers to the following basic questions to begin with : - how long should we keep the lights on for each Red, Blue, Green and white channels ? - which channels are more beneficial and which ones to be avoided as much as possible ? - what should be the intensity of each channel ? If you could explains these three questions in simple words , users would be able to program their own tank

[@BRStv]

The trouble is, each light is different, so the settings will be different for each light. For that reason, we've started to do videos dedicated to specific lights with more direct advice, aka BRS recommended settings. Of course, we'll never be able to cover every light available, but hopefully a few reefers will find the information useful 🙂

[@red149]

@@BRStv I completely understand but the should be some general guidelines

[@svenvanderzwaag1012]

@@red149 or you should do some more research.. this hobby is not the right one if you are not willing to research, read and investigate A LOT!

[@FTsingos]

With Reef lighting the more I know, the less I know

[@BRStv]

Sometimes it can seem like that. I would suggest searching out channel to see if Randy has a setup guide video for the light you're using. If so, that's one of the best ways to get your light set up without using a par meter.

[@MrRiverGrove]

In Russia led light programs you.

[@dygrp]

A lot of talking but no instructions

[@snorkelbob1]

So here's the big problem with this presentation. The Orphek graph you're using has chlorophylls a and b. Corals have chlorophylls a and c2, NOT b. Chlorophyll b is found in plants.