Coralife 4x65 for Soft Corals?

[Mike 1911A1]

I currently have a 90g tank with Coralife 48" 4x65 pc lighting. Currently there are 2x65 actinic and 2x65 10000k bulbs. Is this enough for soft corals? Would it be better to replace the 2 actinic bulbs with 2 10000k bulbs. If this lighting is sufficient for soft corals, what corals would be acceptable with this lighting? Almost everything I read about lighting refers to mh. Can I start in corals without mh?

 

[The steven liu]

Personally I'd add more lighting for that 90G tank if I'd keep any corals stony or soft. MH is not necessary with softies, but trust me down the road you'll start to want to keep some stonys and some clams and such and then you'll regret you didn't get a MH when you could have (like me)... so, if you have the money I'd go with MH now, otherwise you can add some t-5 lighting too to boost it up.

 

[Mike 1911A1]

I already have the Coralife 4x65 with 2x10000k and 2xactinic. Can I add T5 to the Coralife? Also, will it help to replace the actinic with two 10000k?

 

[Asuran]

i have that set on my 110g tall softies (colts, mushrooms, zoos) with upper to mid level placement. They did fine, then i wanted sps so i bought mh as well use them both now everything is happen cept forthe sps... water conditions arent up to par lately

 

[Mike 1911A1]

Did you have 2 actinic in the unit or four 10000k Asuran? I was wondering if it would help if I replaced the 2 actinic with 10000K for a total of 4 x 10000k?

 

[Mariner]

That's plenty of light for nearly all softies, many LPS and even a few SPS -- all of which I have growing in my 75g under less light than that.
I would NOT go with all 10k. Most corals really need some blue light to look good. You could switch out the actinic and go with a 50/50 (one tube actinic, one tube 10k). I think you'll like the look.
FWIW,
Mariner

 

[Mike 1911A1]

Thanks Mariner. I am fairly new and am thinking about easing into corals but wasn't sure what my lights would support. I think i'll start out with some zoo's and see how they do.

 

[Asuran]

mine has 2 10000K and 2 actinic and dont worry too much as long as you're not looking into sps... i started out with mushrooms and they were fine. added some zoo frags placed about 9-10 inches from the lights and they opened up didnt seem to reach for the lights either, colt frag once it got use to my water opened up nicely too

 

[brock14]

I have those exact same color lights on my 75 gallon reef tank and all corals seem to be doing fine. I agree with an earlier post that said if you can get metal hallide get them now. Spend the extra money now you will be happier in the longrun

 

[Mike 1911A1]

Thanks guy I appreciate the help. Still very new to this.

Mike