What kinds of SPS can I keep over 8.67 watts of PC per gallon?

Dipandots · 03/21/2010, 11:10 PM

I have a 15g with 130w of PC lighting. Right now the tank has a Fungia, Trumpet, and GSP. All have been in the tank for over a month and are keeping their colors (not turning brown). I have even noticed the trumpet turning more "neon".

Now, my question is what SPS could I keep in my tank (if any)? After a few hours of research I found that Pocillopora and Montipora are supposed to do okay under lower lighting. Would I be able to keep these? Are there any others?

I understand that lighting isn't everything with SPS and have been keeping tabs on my parameters and dosing 2-part. Flow in the tank consists of a Koralia 1 (400gph), Rio Nano Skimmer (110gph), and an AC70 fuge w/ AC20 impeller (100gph).

Thank you for any input.

cubsFAN · 03/21/2010, 11:27 PM

what are the dimensions of your tank. I'm sure you could do some monti caps, but you may lose color. i'd try like a red monti cap and see how it does. Do you know any local reefers that could give you a "test" frag?

Frick-n-Frags · 03/22/2010, 02:01 AM

yes, try some tests. birdsnest, Monti digitata, Pavona, Pocillapora(green or brown) are some more that can tolerate lower light and still maintain some color. Plus when the corals brown<->color, you learn more exactly how your coral operates.

a flat rock way up high erases all this watts per gallon baloney anyway.
i could put one single 150w MH light at the end of a 1500 gal aquarium. and if i made a big stack of LR under that single light, and put my coral there, i could grow anything in 0.1w/gallon [it would probably rage having 1500gallons of ocean all around it heh]

if those work, try the brighter light ones and see how it goes. you have pretty decent amount of light, not marginal by any means.

a big part of this game is seeing what works in your unique slice o 'reef.

really good water lets you get away with so many more things too. if they like the water, most corals are very hardy. like you cant even chop one in half to kill it!!!

Michael · 03/22/2010, 03:44 AM

the watts per gallon is irrelevent imo, its the quality of the light that matters, having the right k level and penatration,and with sps and a small nano water quality is vital, you may be fine, it depends on temp fluctuations as well as water quality and light whether sps will thrive in your 15gal.

Mariner · 03/22/2010, 05:18 AM

Your lighting will be fine for many SPS. Water quality stability and maintaining steady calc/alk will be a much bigger issue, IMO.
Mariner

03/21/2010, 11:10 PM	#1
Dipandots Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: East Lansing, MI Posts: 175	What kinds of SPS can I keep over 8.67 watts of PC per gallon? I have a 15g with 130w of PC lighting. Right now the tank has a Fungia, Trumpet, and GSP. All have been in the tank for over a month and are keeping their colors (not turning brown). I have even noticed the trumpet turning more "neon". Now, my question is what SPS could I keep in my tank (if any)? After a few hours of research I found that Pocillopora and Montipora are supposed to do okay under lower lighting. Would I be able to keep these? Are there any others? I understand that lighting isn't everything with SPS and have been keeping tabs on my parameters and dosing 2-part. Flow in the tank consists of a Koralia 1 (400gph), Rio Nano Skimmer (110gph), and an AC70 fuge w/ AC20 impeller (100gph). Thank you for any input. __________________ Current Tank Info: 24g Nano Cube, 4x24w T5HO, MP10, Aquaticlife 115 Skimmer, CPR HOB Fuge

03/22/2010, 02:01 AM	#3
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	yes, try some tests. birdsnest, Monti digitata, Pavona, Pocillapora(green or brown) are some more that can tolerate lower light and still maintain some color. Plus when the corals brown<->color, you learn more exactly how your coral operates. a flat rock way up high erases all this watts per gallon baloney anyway. i could put one single 150w MH light at the end of a 1500 gal aquarium. and if i made a big stack of LR under that single light, and put my coral there, i could grow anything in 0.1w/gallon [it would probably rage having 1500gallons of ocean all around it heh] if those work, try the brighter light ones and see how it goes. you have pretty decent amount of light, not marginal by any means. a big part of this game is seeing what works in your unique slice o 'reef. really good water lets you get away with so many more things too. if they like the water, most corals are very hardy. like you cant even chop one in half to kill it!!! __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB Last edited by Frick-n-Frags; 03/22/2010 at 02:07 AM.

03/22/2010, 03:44 AM	#4
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	the watts per gallon is irrelevent imo, its the quality of the light that matters, having the right k level and penatration,and with sps and a small nano water quality is vital, you may be fine, it depends on temp fluctuations as well as water quality and light whether sps will thrive in your 15gal. __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

03/22/2010, 05:18 AM	#5
Mariner Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: North Alabama Posts: 3,952	Your lighting will be fine for many SPS. Water quality stability and maintaining steady calc/alk will be a much bigger issue, IMO. Mariner __________________ DESIGN DEMANDS A DESIGNER. ~The perception is that perception is reality, but the reality is that it isn't. Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef; 135g mixed reef

03/21/2010, 11:27 PM	#2
cubsFAN Moved On Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Lake Tahoe Posts: 1,550	what are the dimensions of your tank. I'm sure you could do some monti caps, but you may lose color. i'd try like a red monti cap and see how it does. Do you know any local reefers that could give you a "test" frag?