180 lighting - can i keep SPS?

[zemuron114]

hello all
I just upgraded to a AGA 180 from my 55 and 110. Im very pleased with the transition and havn't lost one thing!!!
I have 2x250 watt MH 15K bulbs, 3x80 T5 actinics and 1x80 watt T5 10K.

I would like opinions on where to keep my SPS. I have a pink stylophora at the very top that is doing well. Polyps are out and it has good color (its only 1") Can i put some SPS in the middle of the tank? The lights are about 1 foot from the surface in a closed canopy. I need to make more room for some SPS frags but would like to put some in the middle of the tank (height wise) but not sure if they would receive enough lighting...

Thanks for the help!

 

[8mycash]

probably not enough light. you could drop them down lower to the water would help

 

[zemuron114]

i could, but i would have to do some serious changing to the retro.
what kind of SPS would do well at all levels?

thanks

 

[coker98]

deep water acros dont require alot of light and they look nice. when you browse the online vendors they usually charge more for these and they say that they are deepwater acros.

 

[zemuron114]

i've seen a couple advertised as deep water acros. I'll have to find more of those. Any blue or purple acros/SPS that can thrive in lower lights?

 

[CMReefer]

I think many SPS corals will do well under that amount of light. Ones to consider for the middle areas would be like a montipora capricornis. A lot of the more colorful shallow water SPS should be kept high, but 250 watt MHs penetrate the water very well in a 24" deep tank and there are many cool corals you can keep lower down.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

If you change out your bulbd to 10K...maybe XM's...you will be better off. Alot more PAR for the wattage than a 15K bulb. You can also increase your photo-period. Lastly, keep your acros right under the MHs.

 

[zemuron114]

thanks! ill play around with it. I was contemplating switching the bulbs to 10 or 12K, but i like the color right now, so we'll see.

thanks everyone

 

[Silencer]

I don't really see how people are saying that's not enough light. 250w bulbs are plenty. You might not get the best growth with 15k bulbs but I can't imagine a coral under one of the MHs not getting enough light (unless you have horrible reflectors and water quality).