Is it enough?

stonedage · 10/26/2015, 03:18 PM

I'm getting a 60gal cube. 24/24/24. It has a 150w mh with it. Is that enough light for coral. I want a mixed reef. Also what are the ideal mh bulbs for growth and colour pop? Thanks!!!

coxreefer · 10/26/2015, 05:02 PM

It is kind of pushing the boundaries, I had a 60 gal cube before but mine had a 250w halide I had a couple of sps but mostly softies and everything grew out to the maximum capacity of the tank quickly. I have always read that a 175w halide is good for 2'x2'. I later put an ecotech radion g2 on it couldn't tell much difference between the lights other than the heat issue was gone. I would go with a 400w metal halide 20000K radium buld I have see tanks with great growth and color using that setup. Although you may need a chiller.

Bogue Chitto · 10/26/2015, 07:35 PM

I would say try the halide since you have it and see. If you put it in the right place it may be enough. Since you will have rocks in there , the corals will be closer to the light than on the bottom. A 400 wt is too big for that size tank, plus it will heat the water up too much.

laverda · 10/27/2015, 12:03 AM

Iy just depends on whatvyour going to keep. If you wanted all SPS I would say no. For a mixed reef, just put the high light corals up high.

shifty51008 · 10/27/2015, 12:41 AM

Ive been happy with the hamilton 14k and 20k bulbs

Tweaked · 10/27/2015, 09:32 AM

150w Radium and Reebrite LEDs over the wife's 29g. Perfect for her softies and zoas. I would go 250w over a 60g.

zachts · 10/27/2015, 11:53 AM

Should be enough to grow softies, and polyps along with LPS, supplement with some LED strips latter on if you need more light.

Radium seems to be the most preferred bulb.

10/26/2015, 03:18 PM	#1
stonedage Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: ontario canada Posts: 137	Is it enough? I'm getting a 60gal cube. 24/24/24. It has a 150w mh with it. Is that enough light for coral. I want a mixed reef. Also what are the ideal mh bulbs for growth and colour pop? Thanks!!!

10/27/2015, 12:03 AM	#4
laverda Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 6,902	Iy just depends on whatvyour going to keep. If you wanted all SPS I would say no. For a mixed reef, just put the high light corals up high. __________________ 240G mixed reef, 29G SPS/LPS clam tank, 50G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 300g mixed reef, 50g cube

10/27/2015, 12:41 AM	#5
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	Ive been happy with the hamilton 14k and 20k bulbs __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

10/27/2015, 09:32 AM	#6
Tweaked FUP&A Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Madison, CT Posts: 7,722	150w Radium and Reebrite LEDs over the wife's 29g. Perfect for her softies and zoas. I would go 250w over a 60g. __________________ DSA 105 Pro, Cebu Sun-Radiums-M80 Ballasts, 4 T5's, XHO LEDs. Through Wall 55g Sump, 10g Frag and 29g Display attached, Vertex V6, 3 mp40's, Gyre, 2 mp10's, GFO, Carbon, Pellets - 10g Bar Tank

10/26/2015, 05:02 PM	#2
coxreefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Palm Harbor, FL Posts: 88	It is kind of pushing the boundaries, I had a 60 gal cube before but mine had a 250w halide I had a couple of sps but mostly softies and everything grew out to the maximum capacity of the tank quickly. I have always read that a 175w halide is good for 2'x2'. I later put an ecotech radion g2 on it couldn't tell much difference between the lights other than the heat issue was gone. I would go with a 400w metal halide 20000K radium buld I have see tanks with great growth and color using that setup. Although you may need a chiller.

10/26/2015, 07:35 PM	#3
Bogue Chitto Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 960	I would say try the halide since you have it and see. If you put it in the right place it may be enough. Since you will have rocks in there , the corals will be closer to the light than on the bottom. A 400 wt is too big for that size tank, plus it will heat the water up too much.

10/27/2015, 11:53 AM	#7
zachts Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO. Posts: 3,259	Should be enough to grow softies, and polyps along with LPS, supplement with some LED strips latter on if you need more light. Radium seems to be the most preferred bulb.