lighting for corals question

shaggy14 · 07/15/2008, 10:47 PM

i just had to downgrade to a 50g tank due to a leak in my 125g. since it is a smaller tank i think i am going to take advantage of the lighting for it. I just ordered a 48in CF light with 2 actinic and 2 12000k lights at 65w each. is it safe to add some sps like birdsnest and such? i know watts per gallon isnt the thing anymore, but at a little over 5wpg, do you think itll be ok?

shaggy14 · 07/15/2008, 10:50 PM

oh, one more question. what other sps would be suitable for this setup.
tank specs are 50g, approx 70lb LR, 7 or 8 cups of LS transfered from my old setup, 260w lights, 150g skimmer, couple canister filters(for extra flow), koralia 4 1200gph powerhead(all together i have a little over 2000gph of flow), and various fish, crabs, snails, etc.

shaggy14 · 07/16/2008, 01:49 AM

up

abulgin · 07/16/2008, 04:30 AM

no. Count those actinics out of the equation for purposes of figuring out light. Although actinics produce some spectra that corals need (blue an red), they are really aesthetic.

So, in reality, you have about 2.5 W/gal (and you're right, watts per gallon isn't a good benchmark--much more depends on coral placement).

tydtran · 07/16/2008, 07:52 AM

I would not do it. Sps are hard to keep with good lighting. I wouldn't want to try it under inadequate lighting.

DSMpunk · 07/16/2008, 08:17 AM

If you have experience with SPS and can keep your parameters steady with good flow and husbandry, then I say go for it. Most birdsnests will be OK along with most Montiporas.

As far as actinic spectcrum being only aesthetic? Here is what Eric Bornerman has to say about that. (and I agree)

Eric Borneman:

That's a crock. Now, if you have a tank that is mostly lit by metal halides and there are a couple of normal output actinics, it may be relatively small by comaprison. But if you have a tank lit by normal output lights, its a different story. If you use VHO actinics, its a different story. Actinic lighting is a special spectrum, sure - yes, its aesthetic, but it is also functional...as functional as any light soruce for corals and the spectrum part, while duplicating deeper water spectrum, is also functional to shallow water photosnthetic life.

DSMpunk · 07/16/2008, 08:23 AM

That said though, I suppose I should say you will get less PAR out of the actinic bulbs.

Dont count out having a softie or an LPS tank either. I have seen some incredible soft and LPS tanks in my days.

Aerowen · 07/16/2008, 08:27 AM

you migth be able to keeps some hardy sps, but you will not get the colors that they display under MH, they will most likely brown

abulgin · 07/16/2008, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DSMpunk
If you have experience with SPS and can keep your parameters steady with good flow and husbandry, then I say go for it. Most birdsnests will be OK along with most Montiporas.

As far as actinic spectcrum being only aesthetic? Here is what Eric Bornerman has to say about that. (and I agree)

Eric Borneman:

That's a crock. Now, if you have a tank that is mostly lit by metal halides and there are a couple of normal output actinics, it may be relatively small by comaprison. But if you have a tank lit by normal output lights, its a different story. If you use VHO actinics, its a different story. Actinic lighting is a special spectrum, sure - yes, its aesthetic, but it is also functional...as functional as any light soruce for corals and the spectrum part, while duplicating deeper water spectrum, is also functional to shallow water photosnthetic life.

I didn't say they were only aesthetic. I said that actinic lighting emits spectra needed by corals, but not all the necessary spectra. Accordingly, you can't rely on actinics to satisfy all the lighting needs of your corals. A 6,500K - 14,000K bulb will provide all the spectra that corals need, including the ones emitted by actinic bulbs, so if you're running one of these, actinics are completely unnecessary and, thus, serve an aesthetic purpose only.

JRechcygl · 07/16/2008, 08:57 AM

I have a 75 that I'm in the process of upgrading the lights on, in the time being I'm running 6-65watt bulbs (PC) and I have an orange monti cap, purple rimmed green monti cap, green monti cap, green birdsnest, and a couple other asst SPS frags, all are growing and doing well, obviously not as well as under HQI or some good T-5 with great reflectors but its possible. None are browning out, actually the green monti is getting to be a nice lime green color. It can't hurt to try a frag or two, but I would try a monti cap or digitata first, pink birdsnest can sometimes be tricky.

abulgin · 07/16/2008, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JRechcygl
I have a 75 that I'm in the process of upgrading the lights on, in the time being I'm running 6-65watt bulbs (PC) and I have an orange monti cap, purple rimmed green monti cap, green monti cap, green birdsnest, and a couple other asst SPS frags, all are growing and doing well, obviously not as well as under HQI or some good T-5 with great reflectors but its possible. None are browning out, actually the green monti is getting to be a nice lime green color. It can't hurt to try a frag or two, but I would try a monti cap or digitata first, pink birdsnest can sometimes be tricky.

First, Montis do well in lower light, so that is one SPS that you can keep easily. Second, 6x65W PCs on a 75g, especially if you place your corals properly, is A LOT different setup than 1x65W daylight PC and 1x65W actinic PC.

I would be worried about keeping SPS in a 50g under this light configuration. Even though theoretically you could keep some Montis, etc. in the tank, they would have to be placed so high that the tank would look a little ridiculous IMO considering the manner in which Montis grow.

shaggy14 · 07/16/2008, 10:18 AM

i also have 2x40 watt 20000k bulbs and the fixture. should i run those with the pc? and its 2xdaylight and 2xactinic. i could always swap out the acts for some more DL bulbs if that would be better

abulgin · 07/16/2008, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shaggy420
i also have 2x40 watt 20000k bulbs and the fixture. should i run those with the pc? and its 2xdaylight and 2xactinic. i could always swap out the acts for some more DL bulbs if that would be better

Sure, run them--it would help--certainly can't hurt. Also, switching out the actinics for more daylight would increase your chances of succcessfully keeping SPS.

peterpaul · 07/16/2008, 11:15 AM

I don't think it will be too much a problem for softies and LPS. For SPS just get ones which does not require intense lighting. You can get the ones mentioned above and maybe a digita and so on. Of course the more light the better it is.

shaggy14 · 07/16/2008, 12:10 PM

yea, i was in the process of picking up some hqi lights, but the seller flaked on me.lol i found this PC setup for 100.00 and thought what the heck, its better than what i have. halides are definately in the future, just have to find the right one for the right price. SPS is what im shooting for due to the large variety and awesome coloration of the corals. i have a few different polyps colonies of softies, and my gorgonian was doing ok, until the necrosis it was sent to me with started taking its toll. i successfully fragged parts of it and they are doing ok.......for now

abulgin · 07/16/2008, 12:23 PM

There are lots of HQI options out there. You don't have to spend $1 million.

07/15/2008, 10:47 PM	#1
shaggy14 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: denison texas Posts: 620	lighting for corals question i just had to downgrade to a 50g tank due to a leak in my 125g. since it is a smaller tank i think i am going to take advantage of the lighting for it. I just ordered a 48in CF light with 2 actinic and 2 12000k lights at 65w each. is it safe to add some sps like birdsnest and such? i know watts per gallon isnt the thing anymore, but at a little over 5wpg, do you think itll be ok?

07/15/2008, 10:50 PM	#2
shaggy14 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: denison texas Posts: 620	oh, one more question. what other sps would be suitable for this setup. tank specs are 50g, approx 70lb LR, 7 or 8 cups of LS transfered from my old setup, 260w lights, 150g skimmer, couple canister filters(for extra flow), koralia 4 1200gph powerhead(all together i have a little over 2000gph of flow), and various fish, crabs, snails, etc. __________________ 215g display, 80g melev sump, 60g melev frag tank, 2x mp40w's, mag 12 return pump, 3 modded 6025, 1 6065, koralia magnum 8, 2x250 phoenix hqi's, 1x250 phoenix SE, 2x160w actinics, MRC dual chamber calcium reactor with Ph controller, MR1 phosban reactor, Red sea ozonizer 200mg/hr with ORP controller, royal exclusive alpha cone 250 skimmer, reefkeeper elite on its way 80+ species of SPS and counting Current Tank Info: 215g display, 60g frag tank, 80g sump

07/16/2008, 01:49 AM	#3
shaggy14 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: denison texas Posts: 620	up __________________ 215g display, 80g melev sump, 60g melev frag tank, 2x mp40w's, mag 12 return pump, 3 modded 6025, 1 6065, koralia magnum 8, 2x250 phoenix hqi's, 1x250 phoenix SE, 2x160w actinics, MRC dual chamber calcium reactor with Ph controller, MR1 phosban reactor, Red sea ozonizer 200mg/hr with ORP controller, royal exclusive alpha cone 250 skimmer, reefkeeper elite on its way 80+ species of SPS and counting Current Tank Info: 215g display, 60g frag tank, 80g sump

07/16/2008, 08:17 AM	#6
DSMpunk Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Des Moines IA Posts: 1,064	If you have experience with SPS and can keep your parameters steady with good flow and husbandry, then I say go for it. Most birdsnests will be OK along with most Montiporas. As far as actinic spectcrum being only aesthetic? Here is what Eric Bornerman has to say about that. (and I agree) Eric Borneman: That's a crock. Now, if you have a tank that is mostly lit by metal halides and there are a couple of normal output actinics, it may be relatively small by comaprison. But if you have a tank lit by normal output lights, its a different story. If you use VHO actinics, its a different story. Actinic lighting is a special spectrum, sure - yes, its aesthetic, but it is also functional...as functional as any light soruce for corals and the spectrum part, while duplicating deeper water spectrum, is also functional to shallow water photosnthetic life. __________________ -Sean Current Tank Info: SPS Dominated 150

07/16/2008, 08:23 AM	#7
DSMpunk Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Des Moines IA Posts: 1,064	That said though, I suppose I should say you will get less PAR out of the actinic bulbs. Dont count out having a softie or an LPS tank either. I have seen some incredible soft and LPS tanks in my days. __________________ -Sean Current Tank Info: SPS Dominated 150

07/16/2008, 04:30 AM	#4
abulgin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,664	no. Count those actinics out of the equation for purposes of figuring out light. Although actinics produce some spectra that corals need (blue an red), they are really aesthetic. So, in reality, you have about 2.5 W/gal (and you're right, watts per gallon isn't a good benchmark--much more depends on coral placement).

07/16/2008, 07:52 AM	#5
tydtran Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 853	I would not do it. Sps are hard to keep with good lighting. I wouldn't want to try it under inadequate lighting.

07/16/2008, 08:27 AM	#8
Aerowen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long island, NY Posts: 497	you migth be able to keeps some hardy sps, but you will not get the colors that they display under MH, they will most likely brown

07/16/2008, 08:57 AM	#10
JRechcygl Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Somewhere playing with lamps Posts: 449	I have a 75 that I'm in the process of upgrading the lights on, in the time being I'm running 6-65watt bulbs (PC) and I have an orange monti cap, purple rimmed green monti cap, green monti cap, green birdsnest, and a couple other asst SPS frags, all are growing and doing well, obviously not as well as under HQI or some good T-5 with great reflectors but its possible. None are browning out, actually the green monti is getting to be a nice lime green color. It can't hurt to try a frag or two, but I would try a monti cap or digitata first, pink birdsnest can sometimes be tricky. __________________ Rechcygl...Yeah only one vowel AKA Dr.Fragenstein Big Glass tank lit by thin glass bulbs Current Tank Info: Propane, 180 reef

07/16/2008, 10:18 AM	#12
shaggy14 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: denison texas Posts: 620	i also have 2x40 watt 20000k bulbs and the fixture. should i run those with the pc? and its 2xdaylight and 2xactinic. i could always swap out the acts for some more DL bulbs if that would be better __________________ 215g display, 80g melev sump, 60g melev frag tank, 2x mp40w's, mag 12 return pump, 3 modded 6025, 1 6065, koralia magnum 8, 2x250 phoenix hqi's, 1x250 phoenix SE, 2x160w actinics, MRC dual chamber calcium reactor with Ph controller, MR1 phosban reactor, Red sea ozonizer 200mg/hr with ORP controller, royal exclusive alpha cone 250 skimmer, reefkeeper elite on its way 80+ species of SPS and counting Current Tank Info: 215g display, 60g frag tank, 80g sump

07/16/2008, 11:15 AM	#14
peterpaul Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: N/A Posts: 73	I don't think it will be too much a problem for softies and LPS. For SPS just get ones which does not require intense lighting. You can get the ones mentioned above and maybe a digita and so on. Of course the more light the better it is.

07/16/2008, 12:10 PM	#15
shaggy14 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: denison texas Posts: 620	yea, i was in the process of picking up some hqi lights, but the seller flaked on me.lol i found this PC setup for 100.00 and thought what the heck, its better than what i have. halides are definately in the future, just have to find the right one for the right price. SPS is what im shooting for due to the large variety and awesome coloration of the corals. i have a few different polyps colonies of softies, and my gorgonian was doing ok, until the necrosis it was sent to me with started taking its toll. i successfully fragged parts of it and they are doing ok.......for now __________________ 215g display, 80g melev sump, 60g melev frag tank, 2x mp40w's, mag 12 return pump, 3 modded 6025, 1 6065, koralia magnum 8, 2x250 phoenix hqi's, 1x250 phoenix SE, 2x160w actinics, MRC dual chamber calcium reactor with Ph controller, MR1 phosban reactor, Red sea ozonizer 200mg/hr with ORP controller, royal exclusive alpha cone 250 skimmer, reefkeeper elite on its way 80+ species of SPS and counting Current Tank Info: 215g display, 60g frag tank, 80g sump

07/16/2008, 12:23 PM	#16
abulgin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,664	There are lots of HQI options out there. You don't have to spend $1 million.