Lighting for an sps tank?

eelk · 05/15/2007, 10:09 PM

Im considering changing an up and running 60 gallon tank with 2 96 watt pc lights to a 90 gallon (i'd transfer all my LR, Sand, Select corals, etc ) because I want to try my hand at more sps corals (I already have 2,- one acro, one stylo, which are alive and growing quite well, but w/o the great color!)
Would 2- 175 wt. halide bulbs be adequate to grow more sps corals in a 90 gl. tank? Any advice?

sunfish11 · 05/15/2007, 10:36 PM

Should be okay for most but I would go with 250's.

arts007 · 05/15/2007, 10:46 PM

Since you are wanting to try more SPS and with a 90 gallon I would go with 250 watts. Would 175 watts be adequate, yes if put close to the top of the water line, but I think it would be much better to go with the 250's, more options in coral placement and selection. IMO

mcurl98 · 05/15/2007, 11:29 PM

yes, 250.

eelk · 05/22/2007, 09:35 PM

Thanks - I'll go with the two 250's! Appreciate it!

demonsp · 05/22/2007, 09:46 PM

PC lighting, they survive. T-5, slow growing , MH, they will do the best.

pezcubano · 05/22/2007, 09:50 PM

Would two 250 14K be overkill on my 75 Gallon tank. I'm setting it up for fish and corals (very few SPS). I have two 175s and I've got them hung 2-3 inches from the water. Is this too close? Will I burn my corals or damage my fish?
Thanks!!

demonsp · 05/22/2007, 10:05 PM

350 watts divided by 75 is 4.6 watts per gallon should be enough but put them high . SPS like a min. of 5 watts just to survive.

zma21 · 05/22/2007, 10:09 PM

Yep, the trecherous bullcrap of watts per gallon again.

demonsp · 05/22/2007, 10:16 PM

I was talked in to an expensive t-5 setup and sps's dont do to well. Wished i got MH . My softies love this light and alot of LPS's .Im 54 by 8 little over 5 watts per gallon on t-5 .Live and learn.

05/15/2007, 10:09 PM	#1
eelk Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: in the valley, 91316 Posts: 286	Lighting for an sps tank? Im considering changing an up and running 60 gallon tank with 2 96 watt pc lights to a 90 gallon (i'd transfer all my LR, Sand, Select corals, etc ) because I want to try my hand at more sps corals (I already have 2,- one acro, one stylo, which are alive and growing quite well, but w/o the great color!) Would 2- 175 wt. halide bulbs be adequate to grow more sps corals in a 90 gl. tank? Any advice? __________________ Lee Current Tank Info: 120 gl mixed reef Last edited by eelk; 05/15/2007 at 10:21 PM.

05/15/2007, 10:46 PM	#3
arts007 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 600	Since you are wanting to try more SPS and with a 90 gallon I would go with 250 watts. Would 175 watts be adequate, yes if put close to the top of the water line, but I think it would be much better to go with the 250's, more options in coral placement and selection. IMO __________________ Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99% perspiration, which is why engineers sometimes smell really bad. Current Tank Info: 120g SPS reef tank. 2x 400 watt Reeflux 12k on lumenbrights

05/15/2007, 11:29 PM	#4
mcurl98 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: san jose, ca Posts: 615	yes, 250. __________________ -Matt Current Tank Info: tankless

05/22/2007, 09:35 PM	#5
eelk Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: in the valley, 91316 Posts: 286	Thanks - I'll go with the two 250's! Appreciate it! __________________ Lee Current Tank Info: 120 gl mixed reef

05/22/2007, 10:09 PM	#9
zma21 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NOLA Posts: 1,453	Yep, the trecherous bullcrap of watts per gallon again. __________________ SCA 50 Starfire: In Progress Current Tank Info: 20 High -> 40 Cube -> Nanocube 12 DX -> 25 Gallon Rimless -> 10 Gallon AGA Temporary Tank -> JBJ 24 LED -> SCA Starfire 50 Cube

05/15/2007, 10:36 PM	#2
sunfish11 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Weyauwega, WI Posts: 2,365	Should be okay for most but I would go with 250's.

05/22/2007, 09:46 PM	#6
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	PC lighting, they survive. T-5, slow growing , MH, they will do the best.

05/22/2007, 09:50 PM	#7
pezcubano Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Miami Posts: 416	Would two 250 14K be overkill on my 75 Gallon tank. I'm setting it up for fish and corals (very few SPS). I have two 175s and I've got them hung 2-3 inches from the water. Is this too close? Will I burn my corals or damage my fish? Thanks!!

05/22/2007, 10:05 PM	#8
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	350 watts divided by 75 is 4.6 watts per gallon should be enough but put them high . SPS like a min. of 5 watts just to survive.

05/22/2007, 10:16 PM	#10
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	I was talked in to an expensive t-5 setup and sps's dont do to well. Wished i got MH . My softies love this light and alot of LPS's .Im 54 by 8 little over 5 watts per gallon on t-5 .Live and learn.