45g cube lighting question

[bmullikin1]

set up my new cube 24x24x18 w a 175w icecap ballast, lumen bright reflector and a iswaski se 175w bulb. its about 15 inches above tank in canopy. do have a 3/16 tempered glass shield in between. and 2 24inch vho actinic w icecap 660. was told bulb has par value of higher wattage bulbs, should this be enough for sps, clams etc. only running 5hrs aday so far 2nd wk, to get everyone used to mh from t5. what lighing cycle should i end up w for best results.

 

[bmullikin1]

anyone

 

[bradbmbj]

I think it will be ok, I would lower the halide to about 8 inches off the water if possible. The lighting cycle I would run the actinics for 10 hours and the halide for 8 hours.

 

[shakanoi]

slowly acclimating is best. slowly lower the light an inch every week and slowly increase the photo period. too much light will shock the coral you may lose some.