Too much light?

clockwurk · 08/25/2007, 08:08 PM

Is there such thing as too much light?

Im gonna run a 3 gal. pico, w/ 36 watts of 50/50.
thats 12 watts per gal.

What do you think the highest wattage I can put on a 3 gal pico?
Other than temperature issues, is there anything I should know about?

clockwurk · 08/25/2007, 09:43 PM

26 views, no love? lol

ZooZ · 08/25/2007, 09:45 PM

what are the diemsion? It shouldnt be a problem. What type of corals you want to keep? Really depends on that. That watt per gallon measurement is not accurate.

clockwurk · 08/25/2007, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ZooZ
what are the diemsion? It shouldnt be a problem. What type of corals you want to keep? Really depends on that. That watt per gallon measurement is not accurate.

13 L x10 W x7.5 H

what do u mean the watts per gal isnt accurate? please explain. Thanks

JCTewks · 08/26/2007, 01:06 AM

w/g really has little bearing in a reef tank. It's all about supplying the corals you wish to keep with enough PAR (Photosynthetically Available Radiation). Certain corals will need a certain amount of PAR, and providing them with that is what you will need to shoot for. There are others her on RC that may chime in on what may work best for your particular setup...but that is why watts per gallon is pretty useless.

clockwurk · 08/26/2007, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JCTewks
w/g really has little bearing in a reef tank. It's all about supplying the corals you wish to keep with enough PAR (Photosynthetically Available Radiation). Certain corals will need a certain amount of PAR, and providing them with that is what you will need to shoot for. There are others her on RC that may chime in on what may work best for your particular setup...but that is why watts per gallon is pretty useless.

I guess my questions should be more direct.
I tend to generalize my questions a bit.
sorry about that. Im still a noob

I want to know if keeping soft corals like zoos, leathers, ricordias, xenias are ok to be kept at a 3 gal pico w/ 36 watts 50/50 pc? Will that make them lose color? I think the term is to "burn" them but Im not 100 sure.

And is it even remotely possible to have hard corals in there like montiporas or acroporas? I figure to use it mostly as a grow out tankf or frags.

ZooZ · 08/26/2007, 08:17 PM

The 36w 50/50 PC should suffice for the zoos, leathers, ricordias, xenias. Yes the term is "burn" but that you wont do with 36watts. The only issue might be high water temperatures due to the heat from the lights.

Montipora and Acroporas are under the SPS family. They need very strong lighting that can penetrate the water, very good water cirulation and pristine water quality. If you keep any SPS under PC they will just loose their colour and turn brown. I know this from experience and anyone will tell you the same. You can still keep an amazing tank with the corals you mentioned.

08/25/2007, 08:08 PM	#1
clockwurk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ft Lauderdale Posts: 887	Too much light? Is there such thing as too much light? Im gonna run a 3 gal. pico, w/ 36 watts of 50/50. thats 12 watts per gal. What do you think the highest wattage I can put on a 3 gal pico? Other than temperature issues, is there anything I should know about? __________________ I tried modifying my avatar so that it would fit the size requirements for ReefCentral, but after frankensteining the the graphic, I ended up with a limping Venom. Current Tank Info: 34g Solana \| AI SOL & 2x Panorama Pro LED

08/25/2007, 09:43 PM	#2
clockwurk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ft Lauderdale Posts: 887	26 views, no love? lol __________________ I tried modifying my avatar so that it would fit the size requirements for ReefCentral, but after frankensteining the the graphic, I ended up with a limping Venom. Current Tank Info: 34g Solana \| AI SOL & 2x Panorama Pro LED

08/25/2007, 09:45 PM	#3
ZooZ Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 694	what are the diemsion? It shouldnt be a problem. What type of corals you want to keep? Really depends on that. That watt per gallon measurement is not accurate.

08/26/2007, 01:06 AM	#5
JCTewks Moved On Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wilmington, Ohio Posts: 3,040	w/g really has little bearing in a reef tank. It's all about supplying the corals you wish to keep with enough PAR (Photosynthetically Available Radiation). Certain corals will need a certain amount of PAR, and providing them with that is what you will need to shoot for. There are others her on RC that may chime in on what may work best for your particular setup...but that is why watts per gallon is pretty useless.

08/26/2007, 08:17 PM	#7
ZooZ Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 694	The 36w 50/50 PC should suffice for the zoos, leathers, ricordias, xenias. Yes the term is "burn" but that you wont do with 36watts. The only issue might be high water temperatures due to the heat from the lights. Montipora and Acroporas are under the SPS family. They need very strong lighting that can penetrate the water, very good water cirulation and pristine water quality. If you keep any SPS under PC they will just loose their colour and turn brown. I know this from experience and anyone will tell you the same. You can still keep an amazing tank with the corals you mentioned.