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Unread 11/30/2010, 04:58 PM   #1
The Curious
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Question Do I Have Enough Light for an Acropora?

I have a 48" 4x65w power compact fixture w/ LED moonlights on a 55 gallon tank. I have a variety of soft corals in the tank at the moment, but have been contemplating getting either an Acropora, a birdsnest, or a cup coral. Do I have enough light for any of these or other SPS corals, or not? I know they need a higher light level, but I don't know if what I have is considered high enough?


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Unread 11/30/2010, 05:05 PM   #2
Christian_S
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who deep is your tank ??

with your light setup you can put some easy SPS corals that's not required a lot of light, something like a red monti cap or may be a birdsnest but if you want to have a good grow and coloration you may want to start saving some money to upgrade your light


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Unread 11/30/2010, 06:10 PM   #3
Sk8r
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If you're headed for sps, you might hold off on a lighting upgrade for a year, because LEDs are on the way: quieter, less power consumption, potentially cheaper.

However, montiporas are pretty tolerant of lighting conditions---strong but not super-fussy, and pretty.


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Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low.

Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.
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Unread 11/30/2010, 07:56 PM   #4
The Curious
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So how much light would I need on a 55 gallon? I am pushing 260watts now (almost 5 watts per gallon).

I hear ya on the LEDs though Sk8r, I'm patiently waiting until they reach an affordable price.


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Unread 12/01/2010, 02:05 PM   #5
saltyseaman01
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watts per gal is not a good way to figure if a light is good its about how much par you have the pc are fine for most lps and soft corals, as for sps i would not try to keep anything but a monti cap or birds nest with a pc light. acros like light i would get atleast a 4 bulb t5 with slr and buy some good bulbs like ati or uvl but imo if u want to keep some of the high end sps i would go with a 6 bulb t5 or a 150 w mh min i myself like sps under 250w mh 20k bulb


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Unread 12/01/2010, 03:43 PM   #6
deangelr
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just made the led plunge ... hoping that the upgradeable light will keep up with technology changes


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