Lighting Needs

MIDNwill · 08/21/2009, 12:26 PM

Hello everyone, I'm new to Reef Central. I have a question on the lighting needs for my tank. The tank I have is 120g (48"X 24"X 24") made by All Glass Aquariums. It currently houses a mixed variety of corals including softs, lps, sps (montipora, acropora, hydnopora) as well as two clams (crocea, deresa). The lighting I currently have for this tank is a Sunpod 48" 2X 150w metal halide 10,000K. The question I have is if this lighting setup is sufficient for the corals and clams that I am keeping. I would also like to ask what would be a better setup to promote the best coral color and growth? I also have a 1/4 chiller so there will be no problems with temperature issues. Thanks everyone.

RSJennings · 08/21/2009, 12:31 PM

10,000k is great for growth but not so much for color.
20,000k is great for color but not somuch for growth.
If you want a happy median 15,000k or 14,000k is your best bet. In other word blue light is good for color, yellow light is good for growth.

MIDNwill · 08/21/2009, 12:37 PM

Thanks for the quick reply. How much wattage would be good for my tank to promote good coral growth and keep the clams happy?

RSJennings · 08/21/2009, 12:55 PM

I don't think clams are photosynthetic, but I could be wrong. I dont know much about clams.

Generaly 5 watts per gal will suffice. If your tank is more sps coral oriented you might want more. I have about 9 watts per gal.

RSJennings · 08/21/2009, 01:08 PM

Ok clams are photosynthetic as well as filter feeder, and according to live aquaria they need bright lighting to live & grow.
So I would think if your clam is at the bottom of a 24" deep tank
you will want a light that creates a high quantity of lumens.
(higher wattage light go deeper in to your water, so just because
you have 5 or even 10 wpg you may not have enough light/lumens getting to the bottom of your tank to keep a clam growing.)

08/21/2009, 12:26 PM	#1
MIDNwill Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: California USA Posts: 30	Lighting Needs Hello everyone, I'm new to Reef Central. I have a question on the lighting needs for my tank. The tank I have is 120g (48"X 24"X 24") made by All Glass Aquariums. It currently houses a mixed variety of corals including softs, lps, sps (montipora, acropora, hydnopora) as well as two clams (crocea, deresa). The lighting I currently have for this tank is a Sunpod 48" 2X 150w metal halide 10,000K. The question I have is if this lighting setup is sufficient for the corals and clams that I am keeping. I would also like to ask what would be a better setup to promote the best coral color and growth? I also have a 1/4 chiller so there will be no problems with temperature issues. Thanks everyone.

08/21/2009, 12:31 PM	#2
RSJennings Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 56	10,000k is great for growth but not so much for color. 20,000k is great for color but not somuch for growth. If you want a happy median 15,000k or 14,000k is your best bet. In other word blue light is good for color, yellow light is good for growth. __________________ Life is too short not to fish. Current Tank Info: 29 gallon reef tank, 55gal mixed reef

08/21/2009, 12:55 PM	#4
RSJennings Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 56	I don't think clams are photosynthetic, but I could be wrong. I dont know much about clams. Generaly 5 watts per gal will suffice. If your tank is more sps coral oriented you might want more. I have about 9 watts per gal. __________________ Life is too short not to fish. Current Tank Info: 29 gallon reef tank, 55gal mixed reef

08/21/2009, 01:08 PM	#5
RSJennings Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 56	Ok clams are photosynthetic as well as filter feeder, and according to live aquaria they need bright lighting to live & grow. So I would think if your clam is at the bottom of a 24" deep tank you will want a light that creates a high quantity of lumens. (higher wattage light go deeper in to your water, so just because you have 5 or even 10 wpg you may not have enough light/lumens getting to the bottom of your tank to keep a clam growing.) __________________ Life is too short not to fish. Current Tank Info: 29 gallon reef tank, 55gal mixed reef

08/21/2009, 12:37 PM	#3
MIDNwill Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: California USA Posts: 30	Thanks for the quick reply. How much wattage would be good for my tank to promote good coral growth and keep the clams happy?