do i have enough lighting?

Aquariumist · 02/23/2006, 04:46 PM

hows it going!
I currently have a 16 gallon reef tank with a bubble coral, xenia, cup coral, star polyps, and three fish, a yellow clown goby, a perc, and a small leopard wrasse.
As fo my lighting i have something called a sunpaque/ smartpaq fixture. Im not sure on the wattage, i think its 32watts, but i know it is 12 inches long, and is half daylight half acintic on the same bulb. is this enough lighting? My corals are doing great, and im hoping not to upgrade, but im wondering about the effects of the longterm.
any help would be greatly appreciated.

alien9168 · 02/23/2006, 04:56 PM

From what I have read, watts per gallon on smaller tanks is a pretty good rule of thumb(not so aplicable in larger reefs). If your corals are doing ok then its fine...

..If it aint broke...

However, 32 watts is only 2 watts per gallon on a 16g.

For the longterm definatly upgrade to @ least 5 watts per gallon...in the end you will be happy you did...it is certainly worth the investment!

-alien

putman201 · 02/23/2006, 04:59 PM

should be fine in the long run. you can always upgrade for better growth but if its surviving fine now and u don't want sps or clams or anything too light demanding it should be fine.

alien9168 · 02/24/2006, 02:45 PM

Makes sense...im just saying that you might be surprised if they do better with more lite...its amazing somtimes how much better things do...even if they appear fine already.

-alien

02/23/2006, 04:46 PM	#1
Aquariumist Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Miami, Fl. Posts: 208	do i have enough lighting? hows it going! I currently have a 16 gallon reef tank with a bubble coral, xenia, cup coral, star polyps, and three fish, a yellow clown goby, a perc, and a small leopard wrasse. As fo my lighting i have something called a sunpaque/ smartpaq fixture. Im not sure on the wattage, i think its 32watts, but i know it is 12 inches long, and is half daylight half acintic on the same bulb. is this enough lighting? My corals are doing great, and im hoping not to upgrade, but im wondering about the effects of the longterm. any help would be greatly appreciated.

02/23/2006, 04:56 PM	#2
alien9168 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,664	From what I have read, watts per gallon on smaller tanks is a pretty good rule of thumb(not so aplicable in larger reefs). If your corals are doing ok then its fine.....If it aint broke... However, 32 watts is only 2 watts per gallon on a 16g. For the longterm definatly upgrade to @ least 5 watts per gallon...in the end you will be happy you did...it is certainly worth the investment! -alien __________________ -Alien Current Tank Info: I used to have a 30g custom acrylic cube sps, lps, zoos, mushrooms, leathers, 3" gigas+ anthias. 30Xg Sea Horse Tank...starting fresh...

02/24/2006, 02:45 PM	#4
alien9168 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,664	Makes sense...im just saying that you might be surprised if they do better with more lite...its amazing somtimes how much better things do...even if they appear fine already. -alien __________________ -Alien Current Tank Info: I used to have a 30g custom acrylic cube sps, lps, zoos, mushrooms, leathers, 3" gigas+ anthias. 30Xg Sea Horse Tank...starting fresh...

02/23/2006, 04:59 PM	#3
putman201 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: BOCA RATON, fl Posts: 104	should be fine in the long run. you can always upgrade for better growth but if its surviving fine now and u don't want sps or clams or anything too light demanding it should be fine.