Aqualight Pro 280 watt enough for my 40 reef?

[MarineGirl411]

Hi,
I would like to know if my aqualight pro unit I purchased will be enough light for some clams SPS, LPS, and soft corals? It is the 150 watt HQI light with 2 65 watt PC actinics. Please let me know. Thank you very much.

 

[MarineGirl411]

anyone?

 

[dougiee]

Well for LPS and soft corals--Yes
Now Clams and SPS will depend on the height of your tank.

 

[UH_OH_5_OH]

You have a PM

 

[MarineGirl411]

It is a breeder and will have a dsb. It is 36X18X16. Only 16 inches but count the dsb in there. It puts the clams up there a little bit. I was told from Marine Depot it would work. Just wanted to know what you all thought. =)

 

[MarineGirl411]

anyone else??? I'd really appreciate some advice. Thank you.

 

[jewtball]

i think that is definitely enough for all sps and lps. you might want to raise the sps and clams higher to the sirface (within 6" from top) for maximum light absorption.you can also get T5's if you the tank is 36". i have a nano tank i bought from cadlights and i saw that they have larger T5 units for sale.

 

[theop]

I think you'll be fine keeping what you want, but the tank won't be lit evenly, so you'll have to keep the higher light stuff in the middle of the tank.

I have a 150W HQI over a 37g oceanic (24"x18" footprint) and it still doesn't get the edges lit well.

 

[MarineGirl411]

even with the 2 65 watt pc's on the outside of the 150watt hqi?

 

[theop]

I was referring to the coverage of the metal halide bulb, which is a "point source" of light. Most lighting guides I've read recommend one MH bulb for every 24" inches of tank. So it will probably only be 6" on each side which aren't well lit by the MH.

You'll get PC light to all areas, but this won't be enough light for LPS, SPS, anemones, or clams. I think the tank will look ok, but just not get enough light at the edges to support many corals.

You can try and find people who have a 58 gal or a 40 breeder and see what they are using for lighting.

 

[MarineGirl411]

oh =( So it would be good for 24" ? I see. Well, I could put my main light craving clams in that area. I don't want anemones. I've read some bad things about them. I'd like clams though and maybe an acropora later on. I could always stick him towards the top. Here is a list of some of the corals I'd like to keep: Montipora Orange Caps and Purple Caps, Favia, Clams, Blastos, Zoos, Hammer Corals, Frogspawn, White Pom Pom Pumping Xenia, Pink Peony Pocillopora Coral, Toad Stool Mushroom Coral, Candy Cane Coral, Fiji Yellow Leather Coral, Plate coral, Open Brain Coral, Green star polyp coral. and maybe some Acropora Species. This is just a list of what I'd like to keep. Doesn't mean I'd get all of them. But the Montipora Caps, Clams, Favia, Hammer coral are def a must. Let me know what you think of the list.

 

[theop]

I am by no means a coral expert... but I can give you my opinions. I've also not kept any clams yet.

Your definate coral list are all LPS except for the monti cap, which is a lower-light SPS. I think you'll be fine with those choices.

As for your other list, I'd personally not mix the leathers with the other stuff you want. That would mean not getting: toad stool (sarcophyton) and leather corals. These can give off substances which can hurt stony corals. The other softies should be fine as far as compatibility but I'd still be concerned with a couple: zoas (will be fine), xenia (can overgrow the tank and block light to the other corals), green star polyps (can also overgrow other corals and is tough to control). All the others are LPS and SPS and should be ok. Just don't place LPS too close to other stuff as most can send out sweeper tentacles and sting other corals.

 

[MarineGirl411]

Ok then the leather and toad stool are off my list. Xenia I'd frag out and take to my LFS. I just wanted a little bit on the size. I really like their movement and pumping action. It is very calming. The Zoas also on the sides where the PC lighting would be. Could I also frag out the Green Star Polyps? I want to keep some corals that will sway in the current. Do you have any suggestions? I will make sure to leave plently of room. I don't want anyone getting stung. =) I just want a nice happy beautiful reef. Thank you.

 

[theop]

Well, euphyllia genus of LPS are all good for swaying: Frogspawn, torch, hammer corals. Xenia and GSP are good for that too, as are yellow polyps.

The trouble with GSP (and yellow polyps) is that once it grows onto a rock it is nearly impossible to get off. What I do in my nano is put my GSP rock on the sand bed, not touching any other rocks. Then it will grow onto the sand and I can cut off the mat, making it easy to frag.