Can I keep SPS with my light setup ?

[Ginzo]

Hi,

I'm planning on starting an SPS/LPS tank (50/50).

My question is, do I have enough light for SPS corals..and if I decide to go full SPS in the future.

Here's the details regarding my tank and setup:

Tank:

49.5" L x 22" W x 25" H

Lights:

1- UVL Super Blue Actinics - 39 watts
2- AquaScience Blue 22k - 39 watts

Giesemann MH 13k MegaChrome DE HQI 150 watts - Giesemann MH 13k MegaChrome DE HQI 150 watts

3- AquaScience Blue 22k - 39 watts
4- UVL Super Blue Actinics - 39 watts

My Metal Halides are quite close to the water surface, I would say maybe 6-8". The T5s are situated more high in my cabinet.

I was thinking if it's not enough light, to maybe add another Giesemann MH 13K but 250 watts in the middle.

But I would like to stay with my current setup, in order to reduce the electricity cost.

Any comments ?

Thanks !
Ginzo

 

[Reef Sponger]

You can keep the SPS near the top of the tank, but they probably just survive and not growth very quickly. I know of reefers that have 2x 400W MH for SPS, but most use 2x 250W MH.

 

[Ginzo]

ok, at my lfs, the owner has only Giesemann MHs 250watts..and he says that they burn most of his stuff..so he needs to put the quite high over the tank.

Keep in mind that they are DE HQI, and are quite strong from what I've seen. I've compared them to my friends SE 400 Watts Radium bulbs and I actually find mine brighter at first look.

 

[sirreal63]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9645198#post9645198 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reef Sponger
You can keep the SPS near the top of the tank, but they probably just survive and not growth very quickly. I know of reefers that have 2x 400W MH for SPS, but most use 2x 250W MH.

Not accurate advice. I keep clams on the sandbed of my 125 under 150 watt DE's and my sps grows great under them as well. Bulb selection is important and my XDE 10ks put out a lot of par but for what you are wanting to do, anything from the middle of the tank and up would be very good for sps growth. FWIW my sps grow just as fast under the 150's as they do under my 250 watt and my clams under the 150's have added a half inch of new shell in 3 months. For sps it isn't just the light but the flow in the tank that helps sps grow.

 

[Ginzo]

That's great !

For flow, I'm not worried..since I'll have two Vortech pumps on my tank + my closed loop !

I might even add 2 small tunze nanos..so no worries for flow !

Ginzo

 

[luke33]

Yea, your good man, just see how your sps do, if they look like they need more light, add them higher, but i don't think you have to have a 250 or 400, you may not have as good a growth, but you will have growth.

 

[rcollick]

I think you will be fine just keep your sps closer to the top half and your lps will be fine at the bottom half.

 

[GSMguy]

people keep sps under t5s alone you will be fine just stay away from wild colonys they need lots of light

 

[David Grigor]

Keeping good water quality ( CA & ALk elevated and steady, PH high, and phosphates low) , good water flow, and as long as SPS are placed high enough you shouldn't have any major concerns with color or growth.


Depending on how things go, you may also consider lower MH abit more. Shouldn't have any issues going to 5-6" ( providing you still get the desired light spread ). Also, moving the T5s much closer to the surface. 3-4" distance from water is most desireable. Your definately not getting the max benefit from your T5s at your current height.