Change from SPS to LPS

[IanJ]

Having kept a SPS dominated tank for several years, my working schedule now dictates a tank that needs a little less input.

I have switched to a mainly LPS dominated tank. Tank is 5ft x 2.3ft x 2ft

What is the current thinking regarding filter systems, flow and lighting?

I switched out 3 x 250W Phoenix 14K to 1 x Phoenix 14k and 2 x BLV 10K. with 2 x 54W T5 ATi Blue plus. Lamps are about 8 inches from the surface.
Is the BLV 14K a better bet than the 10K?

I have removed some pumps, but keep a reasonable flow with a couple of Tunze 6800 and 6100. The tank is barebottom, is this suitable or would a thin or thick sand bed be preferable?

Any thing else I should change or pay attention to?

 

[JenDub]

I prefer 20k for lps- 10k are definitely too white IMO, the 14k's will be much better suited to lps.

Keep in mind these animals usually come from quite a bit deeper than sps so they need a bluer spectrum to stay happy.

You will also need to dose strontium etc.

 

[IanJ]

Thanks for a reply.

When as a SPS tank i ran 3 x 250W Phoenix 14K bulbs. I found that all my Crocea clams that were lower down turned brown, the blue only returning when i placed them as high as possible. I never had this issue with 10K lamps.

Any one else seen this?