Aquarium art's display only has 2x150 DE?

[sarahdae]

I was talking to greg in Aquarim arts...he said they only have 2 150w 12/13k geismann bulbs over the dispay tank in the front...yeah, the one with the HUGE clam at the bottom. However, everthing I read here on RC says that's not enough light for a clam, especially at the bottom of the tank. They also have other types of SPS in there. I am sure the tank is at least 24" tall or more, and the lights are about 7-9 inches over the water. The stuff in the tank appears to be doing very well, even that huge clam.

They said 2 150w HQI plus 2 110w atinic VHO's would be enough light for my 90 gallon tank(24"tall), I have mostly softies, a few anemones, and want a clam. Also I love the way their display tank looks...the lighting looks nice. I want to replicate the way it looks in my own tank, I'm not that into SPS and I don't want to fry my softies under 250w DE's. My lights would be 12" off the water with the retro mounted to my canopy.

However everyone here on RC says 2x150w on that high of a tank aint' enough for a clam or SPS. If that's not enough light, then why does the display tank at AA look so good?! What gives?

 

[dmorel]

The nicest SPS tank I have ever seen in person was a 120 with 2x175 SE ushio 10k's and 2x110 vho, nothing more...

Light is but one factor in the health of our tanks. You must join together all the factors of your tank to figure out if you get away with less light vs. more light.

If the water quality and movement is extremely high, then you can probably keep some more demanding animals in lower light.
If the water is crappy, you're gonna need to compensate for that with better lighthing. (If it's too crappy, it won't matter what lights you have)...

The main problem you have as I see it is that you want to mix generally low light corals (LPS) with generally high light animals, Anemone's and clams...
Your biggest challenge may simply be offering both types of species a suitable envirnoment.

-dm

 

[sarahdae]

In regards to AA's display tank, I wondered if it was more of an exception or quite the norm. They have low light specimens at the bottom of the tank with that clam, which seem to be doing well. Good husbandry is definitely key.

Still debating on wether or not to go with 250w DE or 150w DE...

 

[dmorel]

I was trying to get an idea of wether or not this tank was an exception in the hobby or quite the norm.

It's the display tank of a retail salt water shop.

 

[dmorel]

FWIW, I think you're safer to go with too much light and acclimate your "lower light" corals to the higher lighting rather then to try and keep species typically requiring more light in sub par conditions.
After all, I don't care what your bulbs are, they are gonna be hard pressed to top the rays coming from the sun.

-dm

 

[sarahdae]

I guess I shouldn't base anything off of what I see in the display of a retail shop. I think the tank has been up for a few years...anyone know? It's not the nicest tank in regards to specimens...must admit...but seems to be doing ok...
I think I may lean towards getting the 250w.

 

[chetm2]

I've always been told that DE bulbs put out more intense light than SE bulbs. So a 150 DE is around the output of a 250 SE setup. But for the price difference I'd stick with the 250 DE's with a good reflector.

 

[blas]

Just a thought its pretty close to the front door which probably brings in a bit of outdoor light as well.

 

[moore_rb]

The 150 DE's they are running are Giessmans, which put out more lux than most, and the clam is a T.Durasa (or is it a Gigas?), either way, both are deeper water species than Maxima or Croceaa and are used to lower light exposure.

But still, If I was doing a 30 inch tall tank, I'd probably use 250W DE's or 400W SE's, especially for an SPS/clam tank..... JMHO.

 

[phlipper84]

Sometimes you have to assume that a display tank at a fish store may not receive the same level of care that some of our home tanks do. Yes, they may clear the algae more often, but you have to imagine that they are extremely busy with the operations of the fish store and the various tanks that are responsible for generating dollars.

 

[sarahdae]

Hmm, that's interesting that there are clams that need less light, worth looking into. Of course, I decided to go with the 250w x2 DE retro kit with supplemental 2x110w vho's anyway, so it should be quite fine for a clam. (my tank is 24" deep, not 30". ) I like the look of those 12/13k megachrome bulbs, just a bright crisp white, no tint of blue. I've heard good things about the phoenix 14k but I think it may have a blue tint.
Well that's another thread I suppose.
I hope my softies are okay under the new lights. I guess I will gradually increase the time they are under the lights each day, and if I notice any ill effects, move them around in the tank. The lights will also be 13" off the water so I suppose that will minimize some intensity.
Greg at AA is great, by the way. Love the store & had great luck with specimens purchased there.

 

[phlipper84]

You may find that the combination of the vho's with the Phoenix 14K's will show white. I have 4 X 48 VHO with PFO DE's with the Phoenix bulbs. By themselves, the Phoenix bulbs have the blue tint and the VHO's have a pink tint. However together they look awesome.

 

[dmorel]

Sometimes you have to assume that a display tank at a fish store may not receive the same level of care that some of our home tanks do.

That's a good thought. Consider also the never ending supply of livestock to put in said display tank...

the various tanks that are responsible for generating dollars.

No tank will generate more dollars for a shop then their display tank.
None.

 

[dmorel]

and moore_rb has a good point, it could easily be a lower light species of clam...

I think you will be fine with your lights and the softies if you don't just fire em up and blow everything away.

Follow one of the standard acclimate your existing corals to new light procedures and you should be fine...

-dm

 

[#99]

I have two tanks at home with clams in them and running just pc lights.I have a 30 cube from oceanic with 2 clams, seahorses and some corals been up for almost 2 years no problems and has only 96 watts of pc light. Also have a 6 gal. with a clam and a frog fish with 48 watts of light been up for 3 years now no problems. All 3 of these clams are Crocea clams that like light,not the durasa or squamosa (low light clams).
Matt

 

[Pyrrhus]

on the other hand, one can guarantee that the color of clams kept under PC is not as intense or rich as one kept under MH, especially croceas.

 

[phlipper84]

probably, but are we talking color or longevity? Way back when, I am talking about 15 years ago, I was keeping a 9" squamosa in a 75 Gallon, 18" tall tank with 4 NO fluorescents. It lived for about 2.5 years until I broke the tank. As to the never-ending supply of livestock, I have seen that tank at aquarium arts set-up for about the past 2 years and they have changed next to nothing at least to my eye.

 

[Pyrrhus]

we should always strive to provide a thriving environment for our aquatic charges, not the minimum for survival.

 

[Mndrsn2000]

What ever Aquarium Arts tells you to do. Just do the exact opposite!!

 

[Gabi480]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6743442#post6743442 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mndrsn2000
What ever Aquarium Arts tells you to do. Just do the exact opposite!!

hahahahahahahahahaha way to funny.
Sad thing is that it is kinda true. well I guess more then kinda, yea exact opposite is about right.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA